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What You Were Reading on ClearedJobs.Net in 2016

This year has been memorable for many reasons and we’re going to start the ball rolling on those Top Ten Lists by recapping our most popular articles for 2016. From certifications to salary negotiations to skills in demand, these stories will help the cleared job seeker fine tune their job search in the New Year.

10. Should I Work for a Large or Small Contractor

There are many factors to take into consideration when seeking a cleared job, one of those being whether working for a large or small contractor would be a better fit for you. Mike Bruni, Director of Talent Acquisition at SC3, shared his valuable insights with us.

9. Most In Demand IT Skills and Certifications

Recruiters screen closely for candidate qualifications so it’s important for cleared job seekers to continually step up their technical skills. This article sums up the results from a survey of CIOs conducted by Robert Half Technology recapping the most in demand IT skills and certifications. As important as these credentials are the CIOs also noted the value of “soft skills” like creative thinking and work ethic. This article will give you direction in how to build those areas for a successful career.

8. Don’t Talk About Weight Loss on Your Resume

There can be conflicting opinions about the format of your resume, but most cleared job seekers know to leave personal information off. This article goes into detail about all that extraneous information that should be omitted from your resume. Learn how to sort out the gunk and make your resume a more targeted and powerful presentation of your qualifications for prospective employers.

7. Don’t Use These 4 Job Search Strategies

The job search landscape has changed tremendously in recent years. The digital age has led to information overload for both cleared job seekers and employers. We’ve talked to recruiters and hiring managers in the cleared community and developed a list of cleared job search practices that do not work. Follow these guidelines for techniques to improve your chances of getting hired.

6. Negotiate Your Salary Offer

Managing compensation negotiations can be the trickiest part of the job search. Ideally the employer offers more than hoped for and you eagerly accept. In the real world you’re going to need to be prepared by considering the value you bring to a contractor. If you haven’t considered all the elements that go into compensation, what your expectations are and what trade-offs you may have to accept, get started by reading this article.

5. 7 Surprisingly Common Interview Mistakes

A bad first impression can be very difficult to overcome so it’s important to put your best foot forward from the moment you step into the lobby of a prospective employer. As one recruiter recently shared with us, “Your career is very important to you. When I’m interviewing you, this is you at your very best. Make sure you’re ready.”  Hiring managers have provided us with important feedback on the seven most common interviewing mistakes.

4. 7 Tips for Leaving Your Job

We’ve all had those fantasies at the end of a particularly rough day about riding off into the sunset and leaving our job woes behind. Maybe that ride off is preceded by a slew of curse words and possibly even some hand gestures. Save the drama. Those unrealistic actions will come back to haunt you. Read this article for insight on how to leave a job…gracefully.

3. New Entity Responsible for Security Clearance Investigations

The National Background Investigations Bureau (NBIB) was born! This change was driven by the all-too-familiar issues of Snowden’s document release as well as the OPM data hack that compromised over 20 million personnel files last year. The NBIB will have the same responsibilities as the Federal Investigative Service (FIS). Check out the details.

2. How to Avoid Being a Terrible Job Seeker

If the recommendations in this article had to be distilled into a single thought it would be, “build and maintain your network.”  Instead of just leaving you with a cliché, learn about some actionable steps veterans — and all cleared job seekers — can take to become better at the task of job seeking. At the end of this article you’ll be thinking, “I wish I had known that sooner!”

1. The Most Important IT Certifications for Security-Cleared Job Seekers

Certifications are big business and generate debate throughout the technical community. Like them or loathe them, they are a vital part of a robust career in the defense and intel contracting world. Education and experience will always remain the foundations of a successful career, but certifications provide employers with specific, codified validation of knowledge and expertise. Ongoing trends in procurement make it imperative for the career-oriented cleared professional to obtain and maintain pertinent certifications to achieve their loftiest professional goals.

Any subjects you’d like us to tackle in 2017? Happy New Year!

Pat Tovo guides job seekers in conducting successful employment searches through targeted prospecting, effective resume writing, and polished interviewing skills.  She enjoys facilitating workshops and working one-on-one in career counseling.