TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
Subject:Re: So many jobs want CURRENT security clearances From:"Bonnie Granat" <bgranat -at- editors-writers -dot- info> To:"TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com> Date:Wed, 13 Aug 2003 13:34:18 -0400
----- Original Message -----
From: "Goober Writer" <gooberwriter -at- yahoo -dot- com>
To: "TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com>
Sent: August 13, 2003 01:07 PM
Subject: Re: So many jobs want CURRENT security clearances
>
> > I did not say the high unemployment rate was due to
> > security-clearance
> > requirements. I said it was making a bad situation
> > worse for unemployed people like me.
>
> Right, but what can you do (except apply for clearance
> and hope that pays off)?
You don't "apply for clearance" unless you are in a job that requires it.
It so happens that these
> particular jobs have that requirement. As far as I
> know, if you had clearance with a former
> employer/contract, that clearance is void upon
> termination of the agreement. So, candidates looking
> to fill these positions must need to carry their own,
> which IMHO is unlikely. So, why not apply anyway,
> noting clearances you've held in the past, and see
> what happens?
>
I haven't had clearances in the past. They want you to hold a clearance NOW.
> > > If you don't have the skills that employers are
> > demanding, then acquire
> > those
> > > skills. You can't expect employers to lower their
> > requirements, just to
> > "fill
> > > slots."
> > >
> >
> > Who said anything about not having the skills? Even
> > a quick reading of my
> > initial post and subsequent comments will show that
> > I am talking about
> > security clearances, not skills.
>
> Skills or not, clearance was listed as a requirement.
> In my experience, job requirements are a wish list of
> sorts. So, go in with what you have, put your best
> foot forward, and see what happens.
>
No. They are only considering people with clearances. They mean it.