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Interview with a Recruiter, Thomas Jones, CSC

From time to time we bring you Q/A sessions with recruiters, who provide insights on their company, its hiring practices and job search tips.

Thomas Jones, CSC.

Tell us about yourself.

I’m a retired Army recruiter with over 14 years of recruiting experience. I manage the veterans recruiting program at CSC, covering the US and overseas where appropriate. I have also supported the college recruiting and defense programs at CSC.

At what point in their transition should a service member start looking for a job with your company? 

A transitioning candidate should start looking about 60-90 days out.

What’s the best way for someone transitioning from the military to get a job with your company? 

By applying on-line, setting their profile alert so that every time a new position fitting their profile is posted, they will receive an alert. In addition, they should try to tailor their resumes to each position they are applying for.

What’s it like for transitioning military to work for your company?   

CSC has a deep appreciation for veterans. In fact, 8,000 of our employees are U.S. military veterans—who also help mentor the veterans that come on board after them. In addition, we have an internal virtual community for veteran groups. This is a great vehicle for veteran employees to post questions and answers.

Any words of wisdom for cleared job seekers using social media?

Please keep it professional—post only updates and photos that reflect your personal brand and that you would be proud to share with anyone.

Do you vet job seekers online before scheduling an interview?

Our recruiters screen all applicants prior to scheduling interviews.

Tell us about the hiring process with your company.

Our hiring process can take up to 3-4 weeks once interviewed. If you are selected as the primary candidate, you should expect an offer packet within the week. The offer packet includes information for the mandatory drug test as well as the time and date for an on-boarding call. Candidate ‘start’ dates are confirmed once the drug test results and background checks are completed successfully.

What types of cleared positions do you fill?

1. Network/System Admins
2. Network/System Engineers
3. Information Assurance professionals
4. Management in the IT field (Project and Program Managers)
5. Logisticians
6. Army UH 60 Pilots
7. Administrative roles

What are the toughest security cleared positions for you to fill and why?

Top Secret (TS) cleared positions outside of the DC metro area are difficult to fill as most candidates with this clearance level are generally located in the greater Washington, DC area.

What do you see security cleared job seekers doing wrong that you want to tell them to stop doing?

Many job seekers inadvertently forget to mention their clearances on their resumes. Also, many candidates believe that their clearance will drive their income exponentially. While the clearance definitely helps open doors, candidates should be realistic about the monetary value it will provide.

What’s the craziest thing a job seeker has ever said to you?

I have 72 hours to return his email.

What do job seekers need to know about your job as a recruiter?

I think they should know that I don’t mind helping and that they could make my job easier if they identify the position(s) they are interested so I can reach out to the recruiters responsible for those positions. A true partnership between the recruiter and the job seeker will help to get in front of the hiring manager faster—which ultimately will help land the job faster.

What’s the most inappropriate thing you’ve seen on a resume?

When candidates include the number of children they have and provide their social security number.

If I’m a security cleared job seeker interested in working for CSC, what should I do?

Apply on-line.  Search for positions that require their clearance level.

Give us a commercial. Why do I want to work for CSC?  

CSC is a go-to partner for critical national programs—offering thought leadership, specialized skills and innovative services in critical areas for government clients. We leverage a global footprint in both private and public sectors, and experience gained from serving almost every U.S. government agency.  We bring innovative ideas and proven best practices to help the U.S. government meet mission-critical requirements. The possibilities are endless.

What advice would you give a job seeker attending a Cleared Job Fair? 

My advice is to research the companies before attending the fair. Apply to positions at companies that will be present at the fair and bring the job or requisition numbers with you.

What advice would you give a job seeker who is uploading their resume/cover letter on ClearedJobs.Net, and who wants you to be able to find them? 

Be sure to research the industries you are trying to penetrate and use the buzz words from those types of positions.  Also, be sure to include clearance levels on your resume in bold letters and list every system or piece of equipment you have worked on.