Security Clearance Jobs Blog

A contributor at ClearanceJobs.com recently compiled the top 10 reasons for security clearance applications to be rejected at both DISCO and OPM. Failure to pay attention to detail seems to top the list, with issues of missing or incomplete information taking up the majority of the top 20 issues listed.

DISCO - these ten items account for 96% of all DISCO rejections

1. Missing employment information
2. Missing social security number of spouse or adult co-habitant
3. Missing relatives information
4. Missing Selective Service registration information
5. Incomplete information concerning debts or bankruptcy
6. Missing education reference information
7. Missing employment reference information
8. Incomplete explanation of employment record
9. Missing personal reference information
10. Missing explanation of drug usage

OPM - these ten items account for 98% of all OPM rejections

1. Fingerprint cards not submitted within the required timeframe
2. Certification/Release forms information illegible or missing
3. Certification/Release forms not meeting date requirements
4. Discrepancy of place and date of birth information
5. Missing references (character, residential, employment or educational)
6. Discrepancy of e-QIP Request ID Number
7. Missing employment information
8. Certification/Release forms not submitted
9. Missing education information
10. Missing residence information

We shared the article via several of our social sites, and some security officers were quick to point out that while many issues listed seem to make up ‘reasons a security clearance application was returned to the security officer,’ denials typically have much more to do with an employee lying or ‘misremembering’ key information. Either way it’s a good reminder for applicants that they are responsible for every aspect of their application – including whether or not it is filled out completely. A security officer may play a critical role in proofreading documents before they’re sent, but that’s not a guarantee of accuracy.

What issues do the investigators on this site see over and over again, and do you agree that it’s often an employee’s failure to include all of the required information that causes issues?

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Earlier today I wrote about the case of Mahmoud Hegab, a Virginia man who sued the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency and its Director for revoking his top secret clearance.

The agency maintains it had significant concerns about his clearance, such as his

• recent residence in, and dual citizenship with, Egypt;
• extensive contact with foreign nationals, many living outside the U.S.; and
• his holding of an Egyptian passport that would require contact with Egyptian officials to renounce his citizenship and turn in his passport, thus increasing the potential he would be monitored by foreign intelligence services, etc.

But after his marriage to Bushra Nusairat, a graduate of the Islamic Saudi Academy, it seems their fears heightened.   The Islamic Saudi Academy is located in Fairfax County, Va. and is funded by the Saudi government-funded.  (You can read more about her activities that raised eyebrows with the agency here.)

Certainly, everyone has the right to freedoms of religion, expression, and association.  But no one has the right to a security clearance.  (Something with which Mr. Hegab states he agrees.)  The court declined to rule on the merits of his constitutional claims and instead deferred to the executive branch’s discretion over such matters.  Long and short: it’s a separation of powers issue.

While the court never touched the merits of the issue, I invite you to in the comments section.  Is Mr. Hegab’s question of lawfulness a legitimate one?  (And you need not be a civil rights litigator to post a comment.)

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This afternoon I posted a brief overview of the already brief annual report on the security clearance process released by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.

The meager report is primarily data, leaving analysis to the reader.

The motive for demanding release of this data (I believe) is (1) general oversight of the number of security clearances granted by the government; and (2) that the reporting of investigation lengths serves as a check on agencies.

But only a few years after the 2010 law required the report’s publication, the Senate Intelligence Committee approved the ODNI’s request to axe it altogether.  Eventually oversight groups clamored and the committee backed off.

I’m curious to know:  Do you believe this is an apt accountability mechanism for the security clearance process, or is this report just a perfunctory exercise (and interruption for ODNI) mandated by law?  (And maybe it’s not enough oversight.)  And second, since what’s most important is not the report’s data itself but the conclusions gleaned from the (albeit cursory) information therein, what’s your insight/analysis on the numbers?

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If you haven’t heard of “Hiring Our Heroes” – a program by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation that offers employment advice and connections for both veterans and military spouses – you might check it out.  The program hosts a considerable number of workshops across the U.S. offering resume writing, interview skills, and one-on-one mentoring.

But – in my opinion – one of the best things they offer is the “Personal Resume Branding Engine.”   Rather than just throwing your experience on the resume and hoping the civilian hiring manager can connect the dots, the tools translates your background to help boast your experience and transition your skills.   Discovering your “hook”, branding yourself accordingly, and marketing the heck out of it is one of the best ways to convince an employer you’re specialized and they need you.

And don’t forget about your local Chamber of Commerce.  It’s likely to be the centralized body in the community uniting member businesses and people.  Joining will give you an inside track to who’s hiring (you’re often likely to know first), and will cut the degrees of separation between you and the decision-makers.    Read more here.

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Do you have a Top Secret Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS SCI) clearance?  According to Wanted Analytics, this high-level distinction is one of the top five most advertised certifications/clearances nationally and ranks #1 for information technology jobs.

In terms of what jobs and where, if you have a TS SCI let’s hope you love IT and the West Coast (or Texas).  These factors seem to describe most of the job ads out there.

Read more here.

Most Commonly Advertised Job Titles for TS SCI Clearance:

1.  Software Engineer

2.  Systems Engineer

3.  Systems Administrator

4.  Senior Systems Engineer

5.  Network Engineer

6.  Social Scientist Human Terrain

7.  Senior Software Engineer

8.  Program Manager

9.  Technical Lead

10.  Senior Network Engineer

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So, your clearance rockets your resume to the top of the pile and secures you an interview.  But what can you do during the interview to lock the position?  Impress them with your “soft skills.”

“Soft skills” include characteristics like integrity, optimism, a sense of humor, good manners, empathy, etc.  Employers are increasingly looking for these unquantifiable traits in prospective employees.

You can demonstrate your character during the interview in responses to questions like: ‘Can you describe a situation in which you were asked to solve a problem without having all the information you needed?’ or ‘What was the best idea you ever failed to sell?’”

Don’t underestimate how much these likability factors can influence a hiring decision.  According to HR professionals your ability to “play well with others” has more of an impact than you realize…

Read more here.

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Our popular ongoing series allows you to ask your most complex questions regarding security clearances and our regular contributors of present and former clearance investigators and adjudicators will try to answer them. The rules are listed below. Failure to abide by them will mean your question will be deleted.

NOTE: Due to the volume of questions we receive, we cannot answer all of them. Selected questions that have not been answered in the past will likely be answered.

If you would like a guaranteed private answer to your question, please see here.

Note: All questions are moderated. After you post, it can take up to a week for the question to be “live” on the site and our panelists to see it and answer it.

1. Please do not address a contributor by name to ensure anyone who has knowledge might answer.
2. Do not include your own name, email address, or other information that can identify you. This is a public forum and clearance holders have a responsibility for covertness.
3. If you have questions regarding careers, job hunting, salaries, interviewing, or other career-related topics, see the other threads dedicated to this purpose.
4. Provide full details about your case in your initial question thread.
5. Do not post your questions in previous versions of this thread.
6. Understand that the suggestions and comments contributors provide are their opinions only. The owners of this site are not responsible for the suggestions and guidance from outside contributors.

Note: If your post does not appear on this site, you may not be following the rules above.

If you would like a guaranteed private answer to your question, please see here.

Please read over previous threads to see if your question has already been answered. Use the Search tool to locate specific keywords.

Related Articles:

• Employment Suitability Versus Security Clearance
• Criminal Conduct and Security Clearances
• Drug Involvement and Security Clearances
• Rebutting and Appealing Security Clearance Denials
• Alcohol Consumption and Security Clearances
• Personal Finances and Security Clearances

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Today, clearance veteran William Loveridge offered his insights for tackling the legendary “Standard Form 86” (SF-86)/”electronic Questionnaire for Investigation Processing” (eQIP).  Among his recommendations?

- Certain things you know are required, so start gathering the info in advance, such as: Employment history Address history Current copy of your credit report

- Be sure to familiarize yourself with accessing the eQIP website – it will fast become your friend.

- Sometimes you can ballpark dates, sometimes specifics are required. Loveridge will guide you on when you can use both.

- Generally, no single answer will be determinative of your clearance evaluation, so don’t be afraid to (indeed, be sure to) mention that DUI from a few years ago. Honesty is the best policy.

Oh, and you know how they always suggest printing a copy for your records?  DO IT.  Although the eQIP system is built to retain the info forever, poor Bill found out the hard way mistakes can happen.

Read more about completing your SF-86 here.

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If you’re applying for a security clearance and wonder how questions surrounding drug and alcohol use will affect your final decision, the answer is: It depends.

Not all forms of drug and alcohol use are the equal for purposes of a security clearance.   Generally, these behavioral instances aren’t necessarily a per se disqualification; however, they may be indicative of other unbecoming conduct. For example, drug and/or alcohol use are often coupled with other behavioral issues, whether it be criminal (DUI, theft, assault) or non-criminal (defaulting on debts, excessive spending).

In the end, the decision is more nuanced, and various factors surrounding the instance of drug and alcohol use will help to inform the final outcome.  Clear decisions on the individual’s clearance eligibility or employment suitability are often very difficult.

Read more here.

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The Justice Department came under fire earlier this year for failing to check references for law enforcement hires. A report released by the agency’s inspector general found that background checks and security clearance investigations were considered by some to be a replacement for standard workplace reference checks.

Job seekers often mistake an agency’s employment suitability process for the security clearance process. It’s no surprise that hiring managers, especially in federal offices facing staffing shortages, would look for opportunities to shorten what can often be a lengthy government hiring process. But whether or not a security clearance could replace reference checks depends upon what a reference check is used for. Although it can be argued whether or not a security clearance establishes character, it should establish a baseline of credibility an trustworthiness. What it doesn’t determine, as the Justice Department IG report notes, is competence and qualifications for a specific position.

Read more here.

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