Applying for Jobs in the Defense Industry

Applying for a job is often a repetitive process. You find a job opening, tailor your resume, write a cover letter, and go through a series of interviews. But when it comes to finding and applying for jobs in the defense contractor industry, the path to employment can be much different.

Applying for Jobs in the Defense Industry

The defense sector operates at the intersection of corporate enterprise and national security, creating a hiring process shaped by government regulation and a unique professional culture.

What should you know about working in this industry before applying? For starters, the security clearance is one major distinction between a defense application and a typical corporate one. A background check in other industries is often a final step, depending on the job. In the defense sector, a candidate’s clearance status is often a make-or-break when it comes to getting the job.

• Many defense industry roles, including those in engineering, cybersecurity, and management, require an active security clearance. Job descriptions state the required level, such as Confidential, Secret, or Top Secret
• This is typically because the position is tied to a government contract requiring employee access to classified information. A company cannot wait months or years for a new clearance investigation.
• This creates a difference between a “clearable” candidate and one who already has an “active” clearance. A clearable person does not hold a current clearance. A person with an active clearance has already been investigated and granted access.
• Companies may prioritize candidates with active clearances to save time and money, but not always. That said, application forms will ask for details of your clearance level, investigation date, and the agency that granted it.

Precision in the Application

Information submitted is carefully reviewed during your background check. Be aware that errors or omissions, even if they are minor, may result in rejection or a request for additional details. It could also mark a candidate as untrustworthy, affecting future clearance eligibility.

The resume must translate military experience into civilian terms, describing accomplishments and responsibilities clearly. For instance, instead of listing duties, describe achievements using a clear and structured approach. Quantify results with metrics where possible.

Applications are often measured against specific labor categories in a government contract. The resume must show that the candidate meets the education, experience, and certification requirements for the role.

A Slower Timeline For Hiring

The hiring process in the commercial sector can be quick. The defense industry timeline is usually slower and more deliberate.

Hiring speed may be dependent on contract awards, funding levels, or other variables. A company might interview candidates for a contract it has not yet won. In this situation, a candidate might receive a contingent offer. This becomes a firm offer only if the company wins the contract. This can create a period of uncertainty for the applicant.

Even if a candidate has a clearance, verifying and transferring it takes time. The company’s security officer must use the government’s security database to confirm the clearance. This administrative step can add weeks to the process.

The approval process involves more people. The hiring manager, human resources, the security office, and sometimes the government customer are all part of the decision.

Interviews and Vetting

Interviews for defense jobs assess more than technical skills. Interviewers look for integrity, reliability, and sound judgment. Behavioral questions are used to learn how a candidate has handled ethical problems or sensitive information. Character is as important as qualifications.

The application and interview are a precursor to the Standard Form 86 (SF-86), also known as the Questionnaire for National Security Positions. This form requires information about your personal history, including employment, foreign travel, finances, and personal references. You may be asked about old roommates, previous marriages, and prior addresses.

The formal application is the first step in a comprehensive background check. Honesty and thoroughness are essential from the beginning. If your interviewer needs to get more information about a particular aspect of the application, a re-interview or other steps may be needed to move the application forward.

Where to Find Defense Industry Jobs

Finding opportunities in the defense industry requires looking in the right places. While general job boards can yield results, specialized platforms are often a better use of your time.

Websites like ClearanceJobs are dedicated specifically to professionals with security clearances. Also useful? The career pages of major defense contractors like Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, Northrop Grumman, and General Dynamics.

Networking at industry-specific job fairs, particularly those geared toward veterans, can provide direct access to recruiters.

If it sounds like the job hunting, interview, and vetting process for defense industry jobs is more rigorous than many other civilian career equivalents, you’re not mistaken. These positions are often considered more high-stakes than others in the civilian sector. The better prepared you are going into the hiring process, the better.

Because the process is heavily influenced by the security clearance system, it necessitates a distinct approach to resume writing and interviewing. Success requires more than just the right skills; it demands an understanding of the system, patience, and the ability to demonstrate an integrity that aligns with the demands of national security.