Looking for a platform to find security clearance jobs? Here’s what you need to know:
- ClearedJobs.Net: A veteran-led platform connecting clearance holders with defense, intelligence, and government employers. It’s free for job seekers and offers in-person job fairs tailored to clearance levels.
- Dice.com: A tech-focused job board with some clearance-specific roles. Ideal for those prioritizing tech skills but requires extra filtering for clearance-specific jobs.
- Scale Jobs: A niche platform for clearance-required positions, though limited information is available about its features and job volume.
Quick Tip: Using multiple platforms increases your chances of finding the right job, as each offers unique tools and opportunities.
Which Job Boards Really Work for Security Clearance Jobs?
1. Scale Jobs
Scale Jobs stands out as a platform with limited publicly available information. Details about its operations, target audience, features, and support services are not widely documented, especially within the security-cleared job market. This lack of transparency makes it challenging to assess its offerings comprehensively.
For the most accurate and up-to-date information, it’s best to visit Scale Jobs directly.
Now, let’s take a closer look at ClearedJobs.Net to compare its role in connecting candidates with defense-related opportunities.
2. ClearedJobs.Net
Founded by veterans in 2001, ClearedJobs.Net lives by its tagline: "Where Security Clearance Meets Career Success". The platform connects security-cleared professionals with employers in the defense, intelligence, and government sectors.
Target Audience
ClearedJobs.Net focuses on professionals holding security clearances, catering to individuals in defense, intelligence, and government contracting. Whether you’re a transitioning service member or an experienced contractor, the platform connects you directly with recruiters and hiring managers. Every feature, including its pricing structure, is tailored to meet the needs of this specialized audience.
Pricing Model
For job seekers, ClearedJobs.Net is completely free. Users can create profiles and search for security-cleared positions without any cost. The platform generates revenue by offering recruitment services to employers, ensuring candidates face no financial barriers. This setup also allows the platform to deliver advanced job-matching capabilities at no expense to job seekers.
Primary Features
ClearedJobs.Net provides tools for creating detailed profiles that highlight clearance levels, skills, and experience – key factors in meeting strict security requirements. Its matching system quickly connects candidates to opportunities aligned with their clearance, location, and career goals, including exclusive positions not found elsewhere.
Beyond its digital tools, the platform hosts in-person "Cleared Job Fairs" in locations like Maryland and Virginia. These events are tailored to various clearance levels, including specialized fairs for CI or FS Poly-cleared professionals, offering valuable networking opportunities with recruiters and employers.
Support Level
ClearedJobs.Net goes beyond job postings by offering a wealth of resources for cleared professionals. Its "News + Career Advice" section and The Cleared Professional Podcast provide insights on security clearance policies, industry trends, and career growth strategies. This focus on education and guidance solidifies its reputation as a trusted resource for security-cleared professionals looking to advance their careers.
sbb-itb-fdb084f
3. Dice.com
Dice.com started as a tech-focused job board and has grown to host thousands of roles in defense, cybersecurity, and IT. While it doesn’t exclusively cater to clearance-specific positions, it attracts many cleared professionals due to its broad network of tech jobs.
Target Audience
Dice.com is designed for technology professionals across various industries, including software developers, network engineers, cybersecurity experts, and IT project managers. For cleared professionals, the platform provides access to a wide array of technical roles, including those from defense contractors and government agencies. These are often listed alongside standard tech job postings.
The platform is ideal for those who see themselves as technologists first and cleared professionals second. For example, if you’re a software engineer with a Secret clearance, Dice.com offers plenty of opportunities. However, if your clearance – such as TS/SCI with polygraph – is your standout credential, you may find yourself sifting through a larger number of unrelated postings. This mix of users reflects Dice.com’s focus on the broader tech industry.
Pricing Model
Job seekers can use Dice.com for free, while employers pay to post jobs and access candidates.
Primary Features
Dice.com allows users to filter job searches by security clearance level as well as technical criteria like programming languages, certifications, and frameworks. However, it doesn’t distinguish between active clearances and eligibility, so candidates need to review postings carefully. Profiles on Dice.com highlight technical skills alongside clearance information, treating clearance as one of many qualifications.
The platform also provides job alerts via email, tailored to your search preferences, including cleared positions within your technical specialty. Additionally, Dice.com features a salary calculator that estimates pay based on factors like job title, location, and experience. While helpful for general tech roles, it doesn’t always account for the extra compensation – typically 10-20% – associated with cleared positions in defense-related fields. These tools make Dice.com a solid choice for a thorough job search, even if it doesn’t fully focus on clearance-specific details.
Support Level
Dice.com offers career resources through its Insights blog, which covers topics like resume writing, interview tips, and trends in the tech industry. However, the advice is geared toward the commercial tech sector and doesn’t address the unique aspects of cleared work, such as navigating security investigations or managing clearance renewals.
For additional support, Dice.com provides paid services like resume reviews and career coaching. These can help with formatting and keyword optimization but may fall short when it comes to presenting classified work experience or explaining gaps due to deployments. Overall, Dice.com serves as a valuable resource for cleared professionals who prioritize their technical expertise over clearance-specific needs.
Pros and Cons
After diving into each platform, here’s a quick snapshot of their standout features and areas where they might fall short. The table below outlines the main strengths and challenges of each platform:
| Platform | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Scale Jobs | Focuses on positions requiring security clearance, ensuring a targeted job search. | The specialized focus can mean fewer job postings overall. |
| ClearedJobs.Net | Veteran-led with job fairs and career resources tailored to the security-cleared community. | Regional job availability varies; smaller brand presence compared to larger job boards. |
| Dice.com | Offers a wide range of tech jobs, some requiring clearance, plus tools like a salary calculator. | Clearance-specific roles are mixed with general tech listings, requiring extra filtering. |
Your choice of platform should align with your career goals. If clearance-specific roles are your top priority, Scale Jobs offers a focused approach, even if the options are more limited. ClearedJobs.Net combines clearance-focused roles with events like job fairs, making it a solid choice for networking. On the other hand, Dice.com caters to a broader tech audience, which can work well if clearance is just one of your qualifications.
For job seekers, using multiple platforms is often the best strategy. Posting on several sites increases your visibility and helps you tap into each platform’s unique strengths. By tailoring your search to match what each platform excels at, you can navigate the security-cleared job market more effectively.
Conclusion
Choosing the right platform for your security-cleared job search comes down to matching your clearance level with the specific strengths of each site. ClearedJobs.Net stands out with its veteran-led approach and job fairs that create direct connections with recruiters in the defense and intelligence industries.
On the other hand, Scale Jobs simplifies the process with its clearance-specific search, cutting down on unrelated postings. Meanwhile, Dice.com offers access to an impressive network of 5.9 million tech professionals across the U.S., thanks to its tech-focused AI matching – though you might need to fine-tune your search filters for better results[3].
If you’re targeting contractor roles, ClearedJobs.Net is especially useful for its focus on government contracting opportunities[2]. For those in fields like cybersecurity, defense, or intelligence, platforms with strong ties to federal agencies and intelligence contractors provide the broadest range of options[1].
Ultimately, the smartest move is to leverage multiple platforms at once. This strategy boosts your exposure to various recruiter networks and allows you to benefit from the unique features each site offers[1][3].
FAQs
What makes ClearedJobs.Net a great resource for finding security-cleared jobs?
ClearedJobs.Net caters exclusively to professionals holding security clearances, linking them directly with employers in the defense, intelligence, and government sectors. The platform enables users to create detailed profiles, simplifying the process for recruiters and hiring managers to discover qualified candidates.
By offering tools that match users with relevant job opportunities and features that enable direct communication with employers, ClearedJobs.Net makes the job search process more efficient for cleared professionals. It’s a reliable platform for advancing careers in these specialized industries.
How does ClearedJobs.Net help job seekers find positions that match their security clearance level?
ClearedJobs.Net focuses on linking professionals with job opportunities that require specific security clearances. The platform ensures that all listings are tailored to various clearance levels, making it easier for candidates to find roles that suit their qualifications.
By dedicating itself solely to security-cleared positions, ClearedJobs.Net simplifies the job search for those working in defense, intelligence, and government contracting. This specialized focus not only saves time but also connects job seekers with positions that align with both their clearance requirements and career ambitions.
What resources does ClearedJobs.Net provide to help security-cleared professionals advance their careers?
ClearedJobs.Net provides a range of tools to support security-cleared professionals in advancing their careers. From expert career advice and informative podcasts to practical tip sheets and job search videos, they offer resources that are tailored to the specific needs of those in the defense, intelligence, and government contracting fields. These tools are packed with actionable insights to help cleared professionals explore opportunities and make informed career moves.
