Is it appropriate to post a Security Clearance on a professional social media site?

2016-03-07T23:59:49-05:00

Let's say a Service Member is on a career development site like LinkedIn, is it appropriate to post that you have a security clearance publicly to attract more employers, or keep it on a "need-to-know" basis when talking to the company directly?

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 8 at 2016 12:07 AM

2016-03-08T00:07:34-05:00

You aren't supposed to for whatever reason (I'm sure someone will school is shortly). What I've heard, most of those companies that want TS know you need to keep it on the downlow. Other than that, I don't think a secret clearance means much to most employers.

Response by CPT Aaron Kletzing made Mar 8 at 2016 12:45 AM

2016-03-08T00:45:23-05:00

It's okay to post that you have a clearance

Response by LTC Yinon Weiss made Mar 8 at 2016 2:20 AM

2016-03-08T02:20:34-05:00

There are over 5M people with a security clearance, and 1.5M people with a "Top Secret" clearance. It's simply not that special. If somebody wanted to find folks with a security clearance, they wouldn't need to search social media. If you want to make yourself known to employers, it's in your best interest to list it.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-switch/wp/2014/03/24/5-1-million-americans-have-security-clearances-thats-more-than-the-entire-population-of-norway/

5.1 million Americans have security clearances. That’s more than the entire population of Norway....

OMB estimates that a background check for a Secret-level clearance costs between $210-$272, and a Top Secret clearance costs the government nearly 20 times more, an average of $3,959 per background check.

Response by PO1 Brian Austin made Mar 8 at 2016 2:21 AM

2016-03-08T02:21:35-05:00

I always had my clearance status (when i still had one) in my resume. When i was hired at CSC, the guy that hired me said he used that as part of the search parameter in their resume database when looking for candidates.

Response by TSgt Melissa Post made Mar 8 at 2016 2:59 AM

2016-03-08T02:59:38-05:00

I personally do not like to list my clearance level. I feel that it puts more of a target on you. After all the posts and news letters about purging your social media, I believe that posting your clearance level is not always the wisest choice. If anything, perhaps putting "Security clearance- will discuss (or 'upon request')" would be a better route.

Response by Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth made Mar 8 at 2016 8:42 AM

2016-03-08T08:42:04-05:00

I is ok to state that you have the clearance...just not the specifics of the clearance until you are asked...just my opinion.

Response by SPC David S. made Mar 8 at 2016 9:52 AM

2016-03-08T09:52:36-05:00

With rank and certain MOS's this is a given -

Response by Capt Mark Strobl made Mar 8 at 2016 11:38 AM

2016-03-08T11:38:52-05:00

SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member - Some potential employers may use this as a screening tool. If they are looking for a candidate who either holds, or has held, a security clearance, listing/omitting this fact may shorten their search. I held a TS at one time (big whoop?) but, have not had need to publish this on my resume. But, I similarly haven't applied to any positions requiring a clearance. Put it "out there" if you think you need it.

Response by CPT Joe Gettys made Mar 11 at 2016 1:57 AM

2016-03-11T01:57:15-05:00

Depends, are there any government contracts being worked on in other departments.. If so posting a clearance level could get you moved to the team. If you're looking for a new job, I have found its only relate to companies the need employees with a clearance.

Response by CPT Richard Van Patten made Mar 17 at 2016 2:03 PM

2016-03-17T14:03:23-04:00

I would be very careful posting anything on Social media sites. They can use almost any derogatory information, whether political, social or even a divorce can be a disqualifier for your clearance. Though typically you can get that over looked through the appeal process. But just to be on safe side. It's wise not to disclose any personal things as that.

Response by SSG Ken Lawrence made Mar 22 at 2016 8:53 PM

2016-03-22T20:53:50-04:00

It's up to you and your comfort level. One, if not the, the most valuable qualifications that a transitioning service member can bring to the interview table is an active security clearance. Thousands of employers to include defense contractors and government agencies are desperately hunting for cleared individuals. Cleared career seekers will find they have a tremendous advantage over non-cleared candidates and typically have higher salaries than their non-cleared counterparts.

I have had an active security clearance for over 20 years and am currently the CEO of a security clearance careers website (https://clearedcareers.com). I've had my resume reviewed by security officials almost a dozen times, to include by the NSA security office. They have never asked to remove my clearance information, but have asked to remove associations, keywords, cities, and mission details from it. I would recommend not putting anything security or mission related on your social media accounts that isn't in your approved resume. It's more important to protect yourself from association with special project names, tools, exact locations, and keywords that would associate you with specific activity or location that could make you a target. This has become more important with the Snowden release of classified information and program names.

As a final piece of advice, if there is ANY doubt in your mind that your resume isn't 100% unclassified, have your resumes reviewed by your security officer before submitting it to any employer, website , or social media account.

Response by Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 28 at 2016 1:23 PM

2016-06-28T13:23:53-04:00

Correct me if I am wrong, but IMO, posting whether or not one has a current security clearance is also a "down and dirty" way of showing, at least on first viewing, whether or not a person has a criminal history.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Mar 5 at 2017 11:38 PM

2017-03-05T23:38:04-05:00

I posted it. It is also a signal of trustworthiness. I would not discuss any of the particulars, but having a clearance and putting it out there in the right circles is fine. It can be a $10-20K cost savings for an employer.

If people are trying to collect on you, you probably won't ever know it. They will collect from passive sources to see if you are worth their time. Perhaps you worked on dehydrated water research or something really sensitive, They might try and cultivate you as a source. Just remember your TARP / SAEDA training. Don't commit and make the call.