Sourcing Strategies for Cleared Professionals

In today's competitive landscape, finding individuals with the right skills and the necessary security clearances can feel like trying to find a needle in a haystack. In fact, a recent ClearanceJobs.com report found that 77% of employers say that competition for cleared talent is a significant challenge. This fierce competition for skilled professionals can lead to project delays, missed deadlines, and even lost contracts. But don't worry, you don't have to navigate this complex world alone. At Links Technology, we've been helping companies find highly skilled, cleared talent for over 25 years.

Finding Cleared Candidates: Specialized Platforms

Several online platforms are specifically designed to connect employers with cleared professionals. These platforms pre-screen candidates, saving you time and effort in your search. Here are a few popular options:

• ClearanceJobs.com: This leading platform boasts a vast network of cleared professionals across various industries and clearance levels.
• USAJOBS.gov: The official job site of the U.S. federal government, USAJOBS is a valuable resource for finding candidates with active security clearances.
• VetJobs: As the name suggests, VetJobs specializes in connecting veterans with employers, many of whom possess security clearances.

Networking for Success: Connecting with Cleared Professionals

Networking is a powerful tool for finding cleared professionals. Attending industry events, conferences, and job fairs focused on defense, intelligence, or government contracting allows you to forge valuable connections and build relationships with potential candidates. These gatherings provide opportunities to meet face-to-face, have meaningful conversations, and assess candidates' soft skills and cultural fit.

Employee Referrals: Your Internal Network for Cleared Talent

Your current employees can be your greatest asset in finding cleared talent. Encourage them to refer friends, family members, or former colleagues who hold the necessary clearances. To maximize participation, implement an employee referral program with incentives that recognize and reward successful referrals.

Tapping into Untapped Talent Pools

Don't overlook these often-untapped talent pools:

• Veterans: Veterans often possess security clearances and valuable skills gained through their military experience. 
• Military Spouses: Military spouses often have clearances due to their spouse's military career and offer diverse skills and adaptability.

GovCon Staffing Solutions: Traditional and Innovative Methods

While traditional methods like job postings and resume databases are still valuable, consider the power of partnering with a staffing expert like Links Technology. We combine these traditional approaches with innovative techniques to ensure you find the perfect candidates efficiently. The 2024 Cleared Recruiting Guide from ClearanceJobs.com reveals that filling cleared positions can be a time-consuming process:

• 23% of all cleared positions are filled in 20 days or less.
• 34% take between 21 and 40 days.
• 23% require 41 to 60 days to fill.

But the time investment doesn't stop at sourcing. The guide also highlights where recruiters spend the most time in the hiring process:

• Gathering qualified candidates: 35% of recruiters spend over 25% of their time on this step.
• Conducting interviews: 40% dedicate 6% to 10% of their time to interviewing candidates.

This data highlights the importance of a proactive and strategic approach to sourcing and managing cleared talent. 

Crafting Effective Job Descriptions

To attract top cleared talent, your job descriptions must stand out from the crowd. Here are some tips:

• Highlight Clearance Requirements: Clearly state the required clearance level and any specific eligibility requirements upfront.
• Emphasize Career Growth: Showcase opportunities for professional development, mentorship programs, and advancement within your organization to attract ambitious individuals seeking long-term career paths.
• Showcase Company Culture: Describe your company's values, mission, and commitment to supporting cleared professionals, fostering a sense of belonging and purpose.
• Use Keywords Strategically: Incorporate relevant keywords that cleared candidates might use in their job searches to ensure your postings appear in relevant search results.

Beyond the Match: Building Long-Term Partnerships

At Links Technology, we go "beyond the match" to provide strategic staffing solutions that align with your business goals. We take the time to understand your company culture, project needs, and long-term vision. Our dedicated account representatives become your trusted technology advisors, providing guidance and support every step of the way.

Why Choose Links Technology?

• Expertise: With over 25 years of experience in IT and technical staffing, we have a deep understanding of the unique challenges faced by companies like yours in the GovCon space.
• Stability: We're proud of our low attrition rates and higher-than-average length of tenure (over 2 years compared to the national average of 1.5 years), ensuring consistency for your projects and reducing costly turnover.
• Flexibility: We offer a variety of staffing models to meet your specific needs, including direct hire, temp, temp-to-perm, contract, and project-based hiring, allowing you to scale your workforce efficiently.
• Veteran-Owned: As a veteran-owned small business, we are committed to supporting veterans and placing them in rewarding technical roles, contributing to a diverse and highly skilled workforce.

Key Takeaways

By implementing these sourcing strategies, you can proactively find cleared candidates and fill your open positions with qualified and talented individuals. Remember to be persistent, adaptable, and creative in your approach.

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