Re: So many jobs want CURRENT security clearances

["Bonnie Granat" <bgranat -at- editors-writers -dot- info>]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: <MList -at- chrysalis-its -dot- com>
To: "TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com>
Sent: August 13, 2003 04:08 PM
Subject: RE: So many jobs want CURRENT security clearances


>
> eric -dot- dunn -at- ca -dot- transport -dot- bombardier -dot- com suggested:
>
> > In the end I might even be inclined to argue that the requirement for
> > clearance IS fair. After all, if some one with clearance is available
> > isn't it only fair to hold the job for them instead of giving it to
> > someone that has yet to perform the necessary steps to get clearance
> > themselves?
>
>
> Are there actually workable procedures where a person
> can simply request a form at the FBI (USA), RCMP/CSIS (Canada)
> or other (your country, whoever you are), and the clearance
> process just automatically procedes until they receive a certificate
> of some sort to wave in the faces of prospective employers?

No. You have to have a sponsor -- you have to have a JOB where you need the
clearance.

Does that
> process have a user fee that's manageable by an unemployed writer
> or editor who's simultaneously trying to keep the family fed and
> sheltered?
>

You cannot do it yourself.


> Isn't one of the clearance sticking points... being unemployed?

You are not unemployed if you are applying for a clearance.

>
> I've got SECRET at the moment, because my employer entered into
> situations that carried the requirement. For the first year or
> two with this company it was not an issue, then they had to
> clear a bunch of us, which took many, many months to happen,
> after we'd filled out the forms.  When I was in the military,
> I had TOPSECRET compartmentalized clearances, which were processed
> by THAT employer.  I don't believe I've ever met anyone (maybe
> I just didn't think to ask, but I notice that nobody in this
> list of many thousands has volunteered...) who had themselves
> cleared, as a private person with no present need.
>

It can't be done.

Bonnie Granat
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