Security Clearance Questions...What should I know?

[Zombie]

ATT is recruting at my former university and it requires security clearance with polygraph. So what should I know about this process? How far in history do they go? I only have about 7 years of history in US is that enough? I heard somewhere that for regular security clearance you need 5 years history and for Top secret you need something like 10 years history.

I don't have any criminal history and I am guessing that would be the first thing they will check. What about my references? Do they go thru any screening? What about family members? GF ? This sounds scary but I wanna do it and would like to know as much as possible before I apply.

thanks.

 

[Armitage]

First question is are you a US citizen. If you're not, you can stop now.

 

[Zombie]

yes, ofcourse.

 

[T3C]

Originally posted by: ergeorge
First question is are you a US citizen. If you're not, you can stop now.

 

[kranky]

No matter what they ask, just say, "Sorry, I can't discuss that." They'll be impressed with how well you keep your mouth shut!

...only kidding.

They will likely interview your neighbors, co-workers and references.

 

[Toasthead]

Especially in todays job market where the employer has the upper hand, they will look for just about anyhting that they think might be sketchy. They will usually ask you about their findings, so you will have a chance to plead your case. At least this is how a security clearance check went when my buddy got hired with the San Jose Police Dept.

 

[FoBoT]

don't lie

i had to get a DoD secret clearance for submarine duty in the Navy

they talked to people i went to high school with and their parents

 

[propellerhead]

Check out EPSQ.

 

[astroview]

ATT meanting AT&T the phone company? Will you be a liason for them with a government agency? B/c if its AT&T's in house security clearance like NDAs and stuff you have different issues than government work.

 

[Ynog]

Getting a clearance is a long drawn out proceeder but its not all that difficult to get a Secret Clearance, if you are a US
citizen and you don't have any criminal offenses or pending ones (know someone whose clearance was held up for 3 months)
because of a dropped assault charge, that wasn't dropped on his record). The other thing is don't lie, its obvious, but they
catch you lying and the process is over. When i filled out the form the biggest pain in the butt was residency changes. They wanted
to you tell them where you where for the last ten (I think) years, and they considered a short amount of time a residency change.
You also had to list people they could corrobrate that with, roommate, neighbors, etc. For secret they will call people. TS they call and visit.
I have heard number, not sure if they are true, but heard it multiple times, they said it costs 25,000 to do a background check for Secret,
50,000 for TS. Just puts it into perspective of how much work they actually do.

There are additional clearances past TS that take longer to get but you probably aren't going for one of those.

I always liked the question, Do you or have you ever been a member of an organization whose goal is to overthrow the government?

Good luck anyway, and enjoy filling out the DSS forms.

 

[LordJezo]

An FBI agent showed up at my house a few years back to inquire about someone who had put us down as a reference for his clearance..

Guy asks my dad if he can come in, dad says nope.

Also, you cant live with anyone who is not a citizen either if you want clearance.

 

[alkemyst]

Every company has different levels of what they want, they should have somewhere you can look to see what the criteria is. The polygraph will be used to check everything out. These processess can be long and drawn out including drug tests, medical tests, background screening and verification, etc. Make sure whoever you will use as a reference will cooperate also, it's not going to be the same as a normal job where then never call, or if they do they just ask how long have you known him and what's your opinion?

As far as your references being screened...they very well may do behind-the-scenes checks on them also. Nothing invasive to them really, but they may send someone out for a face-to-face meeting with them.

 

[Zombie]

hmm, can't live with any non-US citizen huh? How about visiting non US citizens?


Oh also if they start calling my employer during the security check doesn't that put my current job at risk ? Also what if for any stupid reason I didn't get the clearance than what? My employer knows I tried to get another job and probably didn't so they can be assholes to me. That would suck big time.

 

[tnitsuj]

They will verify your past and current employment...but you can talk to your BI and explain any problems you may have with that. I am sure they have heard it all before.

Filling out the EPSQ form is somewhat tedious, but not really all that hard. The thing to remember is BE AS COMPLETE AND ACCURATE AS POSSIBLE. Any discrepencies will hold up your clearence. Start collecting all the neccessary info such as references both business and personal, all your past addresses and people who knew you when you were living there, run your credit report and clear up any items that you can and be ready to explain any negative entries particularly collections. Have copies of all your pertinent documentation.

It really isn't all that hard, but the processing time can be a crapshoot. I got my TS/SCI in two years..but I have know people who waited up to 3-4 to get it.

 

[JoLLyRoGer]

I'm not sure about that non-citizen bit. You can't have been affiliated with any organization who's purpose was to overthrow the govermnent. The FBI will talk to everyone and investigate any leads to your past. Typically they do want you to give them 10 years histroy for a TS. I'm currently in the middle of one of these background investigations right now for the DoD. Getting upgraded from Secred to TS. They will question anything sketchy in your past, but it seems like they're only interested in anything you feel you could be blackmailed for. I've got some blemishes on my record, but that's not stopping me from receiving the clearance. When you complete the EPSQ (which takes forever) be as honest as you can be. If there is anything that doesn't jive, the FBI investigator will ask you about it. Of course 10 years of history is a lot to recall, so don't be alarmed when you do your interview with the investigator and they approach you with stuff you had completely forgotten. It's common to have forgotten some things in the past, and they won't hold it against you if you're honest about why you "chose" not to include that miniscule detail regarding your past in the ESPQ. Make it clear that it's nothing you could be blackmailed for and you're not diliberately trying to hide anything then they won't make a big deal about it.

Good Luck! These things usually take about 1 to 1 1/2 years to complete and sometimes longer.

Cheers!

Oh yes, and like Yong said: They consider a short ammount of time a residency change. Anything longer than 45 days I think it was, so don't forget about that rathole apartment you moved into for two months when you were 18 because you were p!ssed at your parents!

 

[cchen]

Originally posted by: LordJezo


Also, you cant live with anyone who is not a citizen either if you want clearance.

That's not true. That's only for top secret.