Jennifer Whitlow ⋅ Potomac , MD Lockheed Martin ⋅ 20 years experience

Hi Lisa, I work in communications for Lockheed Martin and while having a clearance in our field is a plus, it often isn't as much of a differentiator as it would be for someone in a technology or engineering career field. You mentioned that you're based in the Bay Area - we have a sizeable facility in Sunnyvale as part of our Space Systems business where having a clearance AND communications experience will definitely help you stand out. Let me know if you're interested in learning more.

Barbara Crosser ⋅ Roseville , CA U.S. Air Force, Staff Sergeant ⋅ 4 years served

hi Lisa. If you want a job that requires that kind of clearance, yes I agree it is an asset. It costs a lot of money and time of course to do the background checks, so this is a leg up. If on the other hand you are not looking for a job that would involve a security clearance, I think it is probably neutral. I had the same clearance level, but I decided I wanted a job with windows and the subject has never come up in my long career now at a fortune 500 high tech company.

Very best wishes to you!
Barbara Crosser

Lisa Starliper ⋅ Alameda , CA U.S. Coast Guard, Master Chief Petty Officer ⋅ 27 years served

Hi Jennifer, Thanks for the note and I would be interested in learning more about LM and what positions they may have available in Sunnyvale. I've had the opportunity to work with LM contractors before on various Coast Guard projects and have always enjoyed that professional relationship. Thanks again.

Lisa Starliper ⋅ Alameda , CA U.S. Coast Guard, Master Chief Petty Officer ⋅ 27 years served

Thanks for all the great comments and insight. As Kendrick just mentioned, my biggest challenge right now is that I live in an area that does not have a huge military/defense contractor presence, so finding jobs in the Bay Area (CA) that are looking for TS/SCI has been a challenge. But that is just one small part of my resume, and may eventually come in handy at some point. Thanks again!

Kendrick Molina ⋅ North Miami Beach , FL ⋅ 3 years experience

Very helpful but use it where it can make a difference. My mistake I moved to a city (Miami) that had no need for TS/SCI only in one specific base doing a specific job. Look for positions in states like TX/MD/DC, where a TS/SCI can get you high paying jobs in civilian roles working for military contractors. For example in FL the only place where a TS/SCI is useful is in Tampa at the the military bases or Key West. That's it, so job prospects where very limited.

Bill Craig ⋅ Madison , VA NDA Partners LLC ⋅ 40 years experience

There are lots of jobs out there that require clearances, but most of them require specific skills to go with the clearance. Check out clearancejobs.com for a sampling of what is out there. That said, I would include the clearance on your resume, even if you are not looking for a job that requires it. It never hurts to highlight your trustworthiness.

Kristy Hudson ⋅ Pontiac , MI Hewlett Packard ⋅ 10 years experience

I would like to echo the above comments and say that adding your security clearance to your resume is a good idea. In addition to making a good impression on the recruiter/hiring manager, you might not be aware of which jobs specifically look for that level of clearance.

Jim Richardson ⋅ Hayward , CA U.S. Army, Sergeant ⋅ 8 years served

I think it is in general a huge asset and can jump start you into some jobs. I had a clearance through the Army when I got out of college and it allowed me to instantly get a job at a higher pay than I probably would have gotten. But, that was with a traditional defense contractor. I drifted into high tech startups and let my security clearance lap. Nobody in the startup world has cared. It was never a negative but added zero to my value.

Amanda Volpe ⋅ Jacksonville , FL General Electric ⋅ 8 years experience

Lisa - I'm in complete agreement with Morgan & Eric. Many companies are looking for candidates who have a clearance, especially contractors & companies that work closely with the military. Even if you don't think the position you are applying for would require a clearance, I'd recommend keeping the clearance listed on your resume.

Good luck!
Amanda Volpe

Morgan Lerette ⋅ Glendale , AZ AAA ⋅ 6 years experience

Lisa,

I agree with Eric. Your TS/SCI is an asset. Stick it on your resume. It shows you can be trusted. I put it on my resume in the "additional information" section. Even if you are not applying for a position where it is a requirement, employers notice it. You'll know they see it when they make a comment about it in an interview of when they tell you they need to do a background check which will "be no problem for you".

Morgan

Eric Knode ⋅ Minneapolis , MN Owner BPM Consulting LLC ⋅ 10 years experience

Very much if the position calls for that level of discreetness. I have seen a few of my veteran friends find very good positions with companies, in large part because of that designation. For positions that do not necessarily have requirements for classifying information, you can leverage the designator by highlighting your trustworthiness and ability to discern between public and private information. I would include it as part of education/certification portion of your resume.
Good luck in your search.
Respectfully yours,
Eric Knode