How to get a Security Clearance for I.T. Jobs 🇺🇸 GovTech 2024

🔒Josh's Hands-On Cybersecurity Course + Internship🔒
joshmadakor.tech/cyber
⚠️ Security Clearance Denials/Appeals Site ⚠️
doha.ogc.osd.mil/Industrial-S...
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In this video, we explore the process of obtaining a security clearance for IT jobs within the U.S. government technology sector in 2024, providing step-by-step guidance and insider tips to help viewers successfully navigate the clearance system and boost their career opportunities in GovTech.
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00:00 INTRO
00:19 What’s in the video
00:48 What is a Security Clearance
01:42 Levels of Security Clearance
02:46 Security Clearance Requirements
05:53 Clearance Denials And Appeals
07:06 How to find jobs that will give you a Security Clearance
09:50 Conclusion
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Are you interested in an IT job with the U.S. government? This video is your complete guide to getting a security clearance in 2024. Learn the steps, requirements, and tips for success.
In this detailed tutorial, we break down everything you need to know about obtaining a security clearance for government tech jobs. Whether you're a beginner or have some IT experience, this guide is tailored to help you navigate the clearance process with ease.
Understanding the timeline is crucial, so we also provide a realistic timeline of how long it might take to get your clearance. We share tips on how to speed up the process and the common mistakes to avoid. Additionally, we talk about what happens once you get your clearance, how to maintain it, and the rules for keeping your status active.
Our goal is to make sure you leave this video ready to apply for your clearance with confidence. Getting a security clearance can open many doors in your IT career, especially in roles that matter for national security.
Don't miss out on important information that can help you secure an IT position in the government. Watch now to get started on your path to a security clearance in GovTech.

[@JoshMadakor]

🔒Josh's Hands-On Cybersecurity Course + Internship🔒 joshmadakor.tech/cyber

[@dr.peppermintpatty4925]

Hi Josh.. my name is Jessica and I am 7 courses shy of the second part of my dual bsb degree and I will also get an advance cyber security certificate on top of my degree… I about 2-3 days I will purchase your course because I really need a job right now or an internship thats paid after I fully complete your course

[@ayyray7868]

Solid information. I got my secret clearance while serving in the USMC and got the Sec+ and Net+ certs before getting out after serving 4 years. First job was desktop support making around $22/hour back in 2016. Getting a clearance is like a golden ticket.

[@future_teknokrat7585]

The #1 issue on a clearance application, regardless of whether you're a civilian or military.... honesty and integrity. There exist many people who have obtained a top secret security clearance who have a bad history but they were honest about it.

[@bgubs07]

Absolutely. If you've ever been in trouble or done any drugs, just be honest. Don't offer more info than is asked, but absolutely just be honest when asked. If it was a while ago and you can talk about how you've improved as a person since, that's all that matters.

[@user-qz4vr8ti9u]

You are absolutely correct. If you have some bad history, your chances of getting clearance are much better if you are honest about it.

[@SunShinepkg]

Thank you, I have been looking.

[@Theinsomniac826]

Thanks Josh!

[@kazi1]

Thanks for this Josh

[@alcysalazar4440]

Nice video Josh!

[@kevinrobinson3060]

Thank you for the helpful advice

[@JoshMadakor]

Glad it was helpful! ^^

[@gabrielm933]

Thank you again Josh.

[@JoshMadakor]

My pleasure! :)

[@TheITCornerbyJR]

Great Video Josh. As a person very familiar with this process, I can say your video is very accurate. You missed one clearance type though. But is all good. ✊🏼😎

[@genetech109]

Awesome..... great content. I'm working on my Sec+ now, so grateful and very helpful👍😊

[@JoshMadakor]

You got this!

[@WAKYZACKful]

Currently going through this process to obtain one. I have the CompTIA trifecta and am currently working on CySA and then CASP

[@sparecube]

Good info...pretty spot on for the most part. This is what I do everyday....every...day....for years....And JPAS is no more...Its now DISS.

[@evans_northwest]

Really informative stuff. Military can definitely be the gateway for the clearance. If not, federal employee or contractor is good too. If you can, go to recruiting events in college for this. Networking helps. Regarding pay, the clearance doesn't necessarily determine the paygrade in government. It's all about the needs and what the position actually is that determines the pay/clearance combo. Pay and clearance aren't necessarily correlated. It probably could be in a private/contractor position though.

[@pittypat6321]

Good day Sir🌞

[@ewokbutsmaller]

Im 6 months in to a cyber sec degree. With such a bad job market and no entry level job support, I’m kinda afraid that I fell for a marketing scheme tbh

[@Pain2Power4Purpose]

I am feeling the same way but either way...that diploma is yours and it is useful!!!!

[@drealist]

It's more complex than this, but good inro. Get with me to update this video.

[@Mike_Virata]

Hi Josh, I just found your channel, I have 24 years of IT experience, most of that is a Windows Sysadmin. I'm doing all of the Cybersecurity work at my org since we don't have a dedicated resource and now thinking of moving into it full time. I look forward to your content and will be binging the current ones. Keep up the good work!

[@w9s992]

Hire me manager

[@JuiceBoxScott]

Great info. I think Sec+ and a clearance really helps out a ton. The hiring pool is so much smaller for jobs that have those requirements. Also, I've found working for the military to be a pretty laid back environment with great people.

[@sidb596]

I'm enlisting USSF soon!

[@thisIsAnilG]

⁠@@sidb596 what is USSF

[@billyraeee2082]

Thanks so much for the immense value that you share for the people. Its kinda annoying when other U- tubers or interviewers mention your information without dropping your name. Regardless you and your team are amazing and we love the edits🔥🔥🔥 next stop 1million subs, 200k by the end of summer!

[@JoshMadakor]

Thank you so much

[@wintonf]

@joshmadakor can you make a detailed video about how you can get cybersecurity jobs in other countries (like Japan!) as a US citizen? Thanks!!

[@eddyb5592]

I just got a federal law enforcement job and have the highest clearance. TS SCI with a full scope poly. Currently studies security + and transition inti cyber. Specifically GovTech.

[@jay2004r]

nice! how long is the SCI test if you can answer that ?

[@eddyb5592]

@@jay2004r there is no test for a clearance like Josh stated in this video. It’s simply a clearance where an employer will sponsor it for you. Meaning extensive background, credit check, deep dive into your life pretty much. No testing involved.

[@jay2004r]

@@eddyb5592 What about the poly graph test ? I was wondering how long the actual poly graph test takes ? Or there is no polygraph test ?

[@eddyb5592]

@@jay2004r lol I don’t think your understanding what I am saying or what @josh is explaining is this video. I suggest googling

[@emmanueldark993]

Thank you Josh that video is so on point!!!!! My goal is to get into GovTech and never leave until retirement. The amount of pay a Government Contractor can make is on par with the high pay of Silicon Valley top talent. Also, since so few U.S. citizens actually have a security clearance it's usually very little to even surprisingly no competition for those jobs.

[@ever6]

Nice man I looking this and your approach. This is very positive and where do you plan to apply? Darrel

[@GanNing221]

This is actually not true, lol. I work as a government contractor, there are many stipulations that your salary is restricted to the contract billets (funding/pay scale). Unfortunately, Silicon Valley's top talent will always make more regardless of your DoD contract, it's due to the access of early adopters (cutting edge) of tech while working at Silicon Valley.

[@emmanueldark993]

@@GanNing221 there are ppl in GOVTECH for Cybersecurity making 200K - 300K a year salary as Cybersecurity Engineers that's on par with Silicon Valley. Now of course a CISO of a Big Tech Firm probably has a much larger salary but don't act like GOVTECH contractors for cybersecurity are being paid peanuts.

[@emmanueldark993]

@@ever6 I'm applying to every GOVTECH firm that sponsors for a clearance and has need for DOD 8570 IAT Level II personnel and lucky there are lots of them.

[@ever6]

@emmanueldark993 All the best man please share the update so we can congrats you. We need more positive news this year and beyond.

[@thefinalflex0_o877]

The biggest plug ever

[@user-qz4vr8ti9u]

I would add that Clearance is "Use it, or lose it" if you are no longer working in a job that requires clearance you will be reevaluated and possibly downgraded. If you are not expecting your next job to require clearance then you need to declare that you are giving it up. Example Case: Reality Winner had Top Secret clearance while working overseas. She continued working for the government but retained a higher lever clearance than she needed. This gave her access to information she shouldn't have. Whatever her good intentions were, she used information inappropriately and went to jail.

[@Drafs2099]

Super helpful all around info, thank you, but not to be that guy, do you happen to have the 601ver of said mentioned link in the vid?

[@xero3263]

There are several other security clearances than what you mentioned. For instance, Public Trust.

[@UpgradingJeff]

@Josh Madakor - What about public trust clearance ?

[@AggieBorn85]

I have a Secret clearance, Sec+ and Google Cybersecurity Certificate and still can’t even get an interview

[@grind80]

For GovTech jobs ?

[@TheTntwilliams]

I only had 1 cybersecurity job offer and I have eJPt, Azure, eCPPT, eWpT, Pentest+,Sec+,Net+,Linux+, Google Cyber, Google IT, BTL1, CISSP, a secret clearance and 10 years IT experience ranging for development and technical support. I’ve set up a honeypot and did multiple labs and got a portfolio. Only 3 interviews out of 100s of applications. Not sure why I’m being overlooked ? 🤷🏾‍♂️

[@ultravioletiris6241]

@@TheTntwilliams holy fudge

[@JuiceBoxScott]

Definitely make sure your LinkedIn is on point. Learn how to use LinkedIn and you should have some recruiters reaching out. My two IT "interviews" were basically just seeing if I was a normal person and I pretty much already had the job due to my clearance. I probably applied for 60 jobs and the two I've gotten I didn't even apply for. Make the recruiters want you.

[@Jussomerando677]

Have you done any projects and linked them to your resume?

[@deejay_jorrr]

Josh can you do a video of career paths one can apply to if they have a degree in network engineering and security

[@ZenityStudios]

If you have a network engineering degree then u probably took an Intro to IT course and that course literally covers all the job categories in IT…

[@Blackbird0000]

Hey josh I just got my first cyber engineering position, focusing on frameworks, infrastructure, auditing. This is a position that no one has ever been filled for. So I’ll be the first one to take initiative for the cyber department. I wanted to know if you have any tips for someone who is the only cyber guy in the company and what is the best way to make sure I can build a strong infrastructure or security for company, thanks.

[@pittypat6321]

Once you get a sponsored security clearance, how long does it last? Appreciate all you do 😊

[@jjgg2627]

Finally

[@sligon00]

@Josh, What if you have had a Top Secret Crypto clearance in the past ( US Navy ) ?

[@thamastersmooth]

The only way to get one is military or know someone high up that can get you one.

[@dricoirving3236]

A friend of mine, that Ibwasba reference for said his secret took 8months then his TS took 9

[@ceewoody7310]

Huh?

[@dricoirving3236]

@@ceewoody7310 that *I was a reference for*

[@mistahrobb963]

For the background check. It may take awhile if you moved around a lot for an example.

[@sergiol.3755]

does a DBIDS count for anything?

[@gstoner8432]

What about if you were in the military that had TS/SCI, but have been out of the military for many years, what to do in those case to get the clearance back active?

[@Dyaxxis]

If I may, I was that example. For me, defense contractors saw my resume, for which several were willing to sponsor my security clearance application. When completing the SF-86, I went through the whole investigation and background check process for which my clearance was approved. I definitely disclosed everything I was asked and was consistently candid about some situations I was deeply questioned with. So yeah, pretty much like Josh mentioned to find that opportunity resulting in a job offer that would be willing to sponsor the "ability to obtain/maintain" a clearance first, then the rest of the procedure will be instructed.

[@GanNing221]

You'll start at square 1, it is much preferred than the people who didn't have a clearance before (square 0).

[@thinhman2010]

Will the paperwork ask you to disclose felony convictions only or both felony convictions and arrests? What is the arrest was sealed?

[@Pain2Power4Purpose]

I'm in MD😑 It's super competitive😒

[@GameHEADtime]

Can i get is with 500 credit score tho...?

[@adameslava5662]

Does it work in Canada

[@kazi1]

Yo

[@tristinfleurimond1577]

I have a question is it possible to work 2 gov tech jobs at the same time or 1 gov tech & 1-2 private sectors jobs simultaneously, or is that not approved. Want to see if I can O.E with this job role

[@GanNing221]

Yes and no, it is entirely at the discretion of your employer if they allow moonlighting.

[@BintAmun]

Please don’t do loudsound effects- they’re distracting.

[@JoshMadakor]

Ty for the feedback

[@BintAmun]

@@JoshMadakor I love your videos though! I thought I deleted my comment when I realized it was nit-picky. Thanks for all your advice😊

[@JoshMadakor]

Haha thanks and don’t worry. It’s good to see these kind of comments. We recently sat down and did some thinking and decided to change the editing style from ADHD edits to more clean edits with subtitles, emphasizing the information. It fits the educational content type better. So your comment was totally relevant haha. We are probably like 2 months ahead with scheduled content so you’ll see the new style maybe around the end of July haha. Thx again ^^

[@SeniorScratchEngineer]

Your smp is good where'd you get it done?

[@JoshMadakor]

Haha didn’t mention it in the video? Or you just noticed? I went to MM SMP Seattle and they did a really good job. I left them a review with pics, you can check it out: g.co/kgs/u3Cxk7a

[@SeniorScratchEngineer]

@@JoshMadakor iykyk

[@motivationalmike3830]

With the large amount of debt does that include Student loans??

[@UpgradingJeff]

Not sure, but I think that it would depend on what type. If private that could be considered a bad debt vs. a Federal student loan where you may get forgiveness with 10 years of public service. I think that he meant credit cards, car payments and other things that you may have stopped paying and are now in collections or a judgement for.

[@jaymeez]

What do you recommend for people with a clearance but no experience in IT?

[@hundredlives3910]

​@@hiphopsecopsstupid comment lol

[@kazi1]

The comptia trifecta is a good start

[@GanNing221]

Get a help desk or service desk job.

[@Mike_Virata]

You can intern or find an entry level IT job just so that have some IT experience. Be aware, it's going to be a lot of work and it will take a LONG time. Be prepared for the grind. I'm sure there are other ways but this is what has worked for me and my clients.

[@Dyaxxis]

I cannot quite recall specific companies but I can recall that there are a few large defense contractors with positions that would allow persons who can be or already cleared, then provide a short course training for the specific IT skill necessary with 90 to 180 days after completing onboarding. Note, this was about a year ago when I stumbled upon these "entry level/no experience required" positions, several of them cyber security.

[@carsonjamesiv2512]

😃👍

[@beyonderaatrox1670]

The mf goat!!!

[@bulba888]

Are Clearance and gov jobs for US citizens/ green card only ? I'm legal to work in US, but I'm a refuge, I think it's private sector only for me

[@mistahrobb963]

Na. There's a work around. You would have to work for a DoD contractor.

[@bulba888]

@@mistahrobb963 thanks

[@No1steelersfan2]

You cannot get a clearance as a green card holder

[@mistahrobb963]

@@No1steelersfan2 Okay, it gets a little iffy here. I had to check with my security officer. So if someone possess a specific skill they could get a LAA, which has access to secret. Rare, but happens. This also helps you fast tracks you to citizenship. Much easier overseas work with a sponsorship. So it's not impossible.

[@No1steelersfan2]

@@mistahrobb963 funny cause I actually just read something about that. I could be wrong but it’s not like they are being granted a clearance, but more so like “hey we need you on this secret info so we’ll let you see it but only this”. Its not like that person can go around saying they have a secret clearance.

[@EricGarcia-st4nx]

Nice thumbnail, that face lol