INSIDE THE

Interview with A Recruiter, Cliff Colley, CACI

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.

Cliff Colley, CACI

Tell us about yourself

I have been with CACI since 2008. As a military recruiter, I act as a liaison for veterans to aid in navigating uncharted job-seeking waters. CACI has global reach with contracts in multiple countries. Likewise, our outreach to military veterans is global. My time with the company has been interrupted by military commitments, however, CACI’s understanding of my military service is one of the greatest reasons I stay.

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

Service members are advised to start perusing our company’s opportunities almost a year before their separation date. This allows the member to understand what our jobs require and potentially gain critical certifications while still in the military.  However, the application process normally does not begin in earnest before the military member is within 120 days (4 months) of separation.

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

The most critical factor for military veterans in attaining employment with CACI is articulating how they meet the job’s mandatory qualifications. Often this is conveyed by tailoring the resume to show how each qualification is met through a previous job activity.

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

I can personally attest to the ease of transition for military veterans. First, roughly 22% of our employees have military service. This provides a common ground of understanding that eases the transition. Second, CACI has significant amounts of work with the Department of Defense, which places military veterans back into a familiar environment. Lastly, our Office of Veteran Support and Development provides resources to help transitioning members assimilate into CACI.

Any words of wisdom for cleared job seekers or transitioning military using social media

I think that social media’s greatest utility in the job search process is in helping military veterans find old friends from past units and reconnecting. These connections can produce mentors who will be helpful in the job search process, and those connections may have the ability to refer them to open position at the company. I also recommend following companies of interest on Facebook and LinkedIn, and to begin connecting with others through LinkedIn groups of interest.

Do you vet job seekers online before scheduling an interview

CACI recruiters review the resumes, cover letters, and any associated pre-screening answers submitted during the online application process. From this information, recruiters and hiring managers will determine whether candidates are qualified to move to the next stage of scheduling an interview.

Tell us about the hiring process with your company

After a candidate is deemed qualified, the typical CACI hiring process consists of a phone screen with a recruiter, then moves to an in-person interview if the individual is considered in the top percent of applicants, and then an offer is given to the top candidate. Additional interviews may be required based on the unique requirements of the position, such as the necessity for client approval. The timeline to hire is dependent on many factors, such as the need to complete a security clearance crossover, background checks, and project start dates.

What types of cleared positions do you fill

CACI fills positions related to both the operational and support roles associated with Cyberspace, Enterprise IT, Geospatial, Healthcare IT, Identity Management, Investigation and Litigation Support, Knowledge Management, Logistics & Material Readiness, Mobility and Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR). CACI job openings posted on ClearedJobs.Net.

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

Our toughest security cleared positions for which we hire are those that combine a rare skill with a high-level clearance. An example is a JAVA developer position that requires a Lifestyle (Full-Scope) Polygraph.

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

Security cleared job seekers should understand that clearance alone will not secure employment. The most important action is to ensure all communications, particularly the resume and interview, convey how the job seeker meets the qualifications of the position.

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

While not the craziest, the most curious interactions occur when a job applicant fails to “keep it positive.”  Every effort should be made to restrict the amount of negative communication during the job search process.

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

Job seekers should know that the recruiter’s job is to identify the best qualified applicants for positions. Help us help you. The job seeker can help the recruiter advocate for them by ensuring clear and concise information is rendered regarding qualifications for employment.

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

I’ve asked that job seekers choose their email addresses with caution since the email address is part of the overall application and should convey the same level of professionalism as the rest of the application package.

If I’m a security cleared job seeker or transitioning military interested in working for your company, what should I do

That’s an easy question to answer. Peruse our job opportunities at http://careers.caci.com and apply with a resume that clearly articulates how you as a job seeker already meet the job qualifications.

Give us a commercial. Why do I want to work for your company

I stay with CACI because employee advancement rests on a cultural foundation of providing unlimited equal opportunity for growth, recognition and rewards. I stay because CACI continues the work I started as a military member in ensuring our nation’s security through our various business offerings. It helps me to know that I work for a company that continues to stay ahead of the curve with a nimble business model that has contributed to the success of CACI for over fifty years.

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

Come to a Cleared Job Fair already having researched and applied to positions offered by the companies in attendance. Your job at the Cleared Job Fair is to present both your resume and the job ad(s) to the recruiter and explain how your resume matches the qualifications. This gives a great opportunity to receive feedback from a company representative regarding your resume and get a chance to “put a face” with your application.

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

Resumes that incorporate keywords that clearly align with the type of work we do at CACI are more apt to be found during searches.

Check out the CACI job openings posted on ClearedJobs.Net.