Recruiting Trends
by Derek Reveron
GET THE 411 ON WORKING FOR THE DOD (DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE)
If you want to work for the United States Department of Defense (DoD) but aren’t sure how to land one of 700 occupations
available to college and university grads, here’s a primer.
PREPARATION COVER LETTER
Brace yourself for an intense, comprehensive application State if you are a veteran or already have a security clear-
process that may take months. Get ready to complete tons of ance. The defense industry loves veterans, and gives credit to
paperwork and undergo a background check, multiple tests, contractors for hiring vets. Possessing a security clearance shows
and many interviews. Be ready to relocate, as national security that you have passed the vetting process previously. Cite any
and defense-related jobs are located in or near military installa- experience, internships, or memberships in organizations that
tions. Familiarize yourself with each military service. The Army, link to the job opening.
Navy, Air Force, Marines, and DoD agencies employ more
than 700,000 civilians. If you have broken the law or have bad
RESUME
credit, consider how you will explain it.
Spotlight any defense-related work including science,
technology, engineering, and math-based courses and degrees,
JOB SEARCH
internships, and association memberships. If you have a security
To hunt for DoD civilian jobs, go to http://www.go-de- clearance, include when you got it and if it is active. If you are
fense.com/. also known as Careers in National Defense. The willing to travel or relocate, say so.
DoD Civilian Personnel Management Service Recruitment As-
sistance Division,
http://www.cpms.osd.mil/, serves as a conduit
INTERVIEW
to DoD recruiters. Locate defense contractors by searching
industry websites and directories. For example, the Federation
Come across as stable, reliable, and mature. Military
of American Scientists lists defense contractors. Contact compa-
organizations value those three traits. Have intelligent questions
nies or view their sites for job openings. Put your resume online
prepared for when the interviewer asks, “Are there any ques-
at websites such as CareerBuilder and Jobfox. Send a resume
tions?” Your queries should refl ect your knowledge and curiosity
directly to companies that view your resume and are a good fi t.
about the organization, its challenges, and the job opening.
SECURITY CLEARANCE
Sensitive jobs require different levels of security clear-
ance. Some require thorough background checks and
polygraph tests. But once your prospective employer agrees
to sponsor your security clearance, prepare for the govern-
ment investigator. To do that make a list of names, phone
numbers, and home addresses of relatives and friends who
will be personal references. List the locations and dates
of all your visits outside the United States within the last
10 years.
Pay all overdue bills and loans and get copies of
your credit report. Explain any black marks on your re-
port within the last seven years. Finally, relax. A security
clearance may take from several months to two years.
The process takes longer for applicants who aren’t
United States citizens. The federal department, agency,
bureau or company that sponsored the security clear-
ance will inform you of the results.
http://www.blackengineer.com
USBE & Information Technology I WINTER 2008 53
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