sc clearance

[beoptima]

I had sc clearence in my previous role but it is over an year now since I was working on a role that didn't need a clearance.I understand that the clearence lapses in 1 year normally.Is it really difficult to get sc cleared roles again? Can i not say that I already had sc clearence previously.

any suggestions would be useful.

[Mr.Whippy]

Is it really difficult to get sc cleared roles again?

In my experience, yes. Agent's generally won't submit your CV if your clearance is not valid.

Can i not say that I already had sc clearence previously.

You can, but it's very unlikely to persuade an agent to submit your CV.

[CheeseSlice]

Times are hopefully changing. I managed to get offered two SC contract roles late last year - without having existing SC clearance!

BPSS (formerly BC / basic check) can be processed in as little as 2 days and can be enough to get into certain sites and start working whilst waiting for the SC application to go through.

[Wanderer]

Agent's generally won't submit your CV if your clearance is not valid.
You can, but it's very unlikely to persuade an agent to submit your CV.

I can't help but wonder if you have a current security clearance and you are saying that to discourage people from applying for security cleared jobs.

One thing I know is true, if you don't apply for a job then you have zero chance of being put forward for it. If you do apply then you have an infinitely greater chance of being put forward, security cleared or not.

1. Don't apply for security cleared jobs, you won't even get put forward and you are wasting your time.
2. All you permies, the market is rubbish, don't go contracting, leave all the juicy ones for us!
3. Banking is a closed shop, don't even apply for a job in a bank.

etc...

[Mr.Whippy]

I can't help but wonder if you have a current security clearance and you are saying that to discourage people from applying for security cleared jobs.

So where did I say don't apply?

I've applied for a lot of SC roles and, in *my* experience, despite what the adverts say (willing to be cleared etc) and what the Cabinet Office guidelines say *most* agents will give you the same old "oh client wants cleared people, this is urgent etc" flannel and then say they won't submit your CV.

One thing I know is true, if you don't apply for a job then you have zero chance of being put forward for it. If you do apply then you have an infinitely greater chance of being put forward, security cleared or not.

I always apply for any role I think I'm suitable for regardless of clearance because you never know...... Just dont get your hopes up if you're not cleared and it needs it

ps. no I'm not currently cleared, but have been in the past to both SC & DV, yet both of these count for tulip when applying now.

[Wanderer]

I always apply for any role I think I'm suitable for regardless of clearance because you never know...... Just dont get your hopes up if you're not cleared and it needs it

Ok, fair enough - I misunderstood what you were saying.

[SuPaStA]

I have a valid SC clearance and if you going for SC contracts I would go as far to say that 99% of the time they want you to have a SC clearance before you start.It can take anywhere from 6 weeks to 6 months to get a clearance, so pointless to get a contractor in and have him sit around until the clearance comes through.Also what if you dont get the clearance (I have seen it happen before), the company would have wasted their time and money.

Saying that, the SC market its in pretty bad shape due to the government cuts.Due to that I picked up a new contract that does not use my SC clearance, so unless I cant get another SC job in 12 months it will expire.

[The Agents View]

I have a valid SC clearance and if you going for SC contracts I would go as far to say that 99% of the time they want you to have a SC clearance before you start.It can take anywhere from 6 weeks to 6 months to get a clearance, so pointless to get a contractor in and have him sit around until the clearance comes through.Also what if you dont get the clearance (I have seen it happen before), the company would have wasted their time and money.

Saying that, the SC market its in pretty bad shape due to the government cuts.Due to that I picked up a new contract that does not use my SC clearance, so unless I cant get another SC job in 12 months it will expire.

IME getting security clearance when you've already had it, is seen as a positive, and it does speed the process along.

However, if a client turns around and says "we MUST have current, valid Security Clearance" then that's what people we put forward must have. If you can't find one, you can always have the argument, and clients do not always require it immediately.

So in summary, having held SC clearance you'd be viewed more positively (and less of a risk) than someone with out it - but you'll still get beaten by those with a current, valid clearance.

HTH

[Mr.Whippy]

However, if a client turns around and says "we MUST have current, valid Security Clearance" then that's what people we put forward must have.

Then remove the "willing to be cleared" bit and just put "this is an urgent role and the client have specified SC is a MUST HAVE"....

I believe you are allowed to advertise SC as a requirement if it's genuinely urgent.

but you'll still get beaten by those with a current, valid clearance.

Which is why, in my experience, 99% of agents won't bother submitting you if you're not cleared. Because they believe you don't really have a chance of getting the role, even if you're head and shoulders above every other candidate.

[TykeMerc]

So in summary, having held SC clearance you'd be viewed more positively (and less of a risk) than someone with out it - but you'll still get beaten by those with a current, valid clearance.

HTH

Which does of course directly go against Cabinet Office guidelines.

Unfortunately it's a reality that's very hard to overcome without a decent chunk of luck like doing a role needing BC that later needs SC and the client is willing to sort it out.