How & Where to Put Security Clearance on Resume

If you have a security clearance that’s active or you had it earlier in your career at some point, you might be wondering how to list security clearance on your resume. It may all sound like something that’s not very easy, but it does not have to be that way. Here, you will find all that you need for listing security clearance on your resume the right way.

When Should You Include Security Clearance on Your Resume?

When looking for a job, you want to present yourself and your skills in the best way. Putting security clearance on your resume is something you should go for. Doing so is essential when applying for one of the government contractor jobs, as such jobs require it.

A clear and professional resume is a significant asset when it comes to job hunting. Make sure your security clearance and other details shine with the help of top industry professionals.

However, you could be asking if I should put security clearance on my resume if I am not applying to a job that requires it? Generally speaking, the answer is yes. Having it shows a good mark of character, and it can impress the potential employer so you may land the job more easily.

Wonder how to handle confidential information on a resume? You can learn this here on our blog.

Where to Put Security Clearance on Resume?

The following substantial question is where to put security clearance on a resume. When you have an active one and want to apply for the job, you have a few options. You can add it to the summary, in the part about your experience, and at the top. All these are places for secret clearance on a resume.

• Summary

In the summary area, you are about to say something more about your career history, and you will share the reasons why you are the perfect candidate for the position. In the example below, you may see how to note security clearance on a resume in the summary part.

Example

I have been an IT specialist for ten years with expertise in information system management, and I’ve used my knowledge and skills to work for the Department of Defense. I have an active security clearance.

• Job Experience Section

Another place where you can list security clearance on your resume is the section about your past experience. You can add it as an addition to the Summary part.

Example:

IT specialist – information system management

Department of Defense (2011-2023)

1. Maintained 300+ Windows computers and peripherals.
2. Configuring and monitoring the equipment.
3. I have been working closely with other information technology and computer science professionals to provide IT solutions of exceptional quality.
4. TS/SCI cleared.

At the top

If you wonder how to list clearance on your resume to immediately show the hiring team you have what they need, here is the answer. You can add it at the top of the resume. As an example, the header of your CV may feature some details such as your name and contact info, and it may also include the info that you are TS/SCI cleared.

How to list inactive security clearance on a resume? You can add it to this part. All you have to do is mention that you maintained it in the past. Now you know where to put security clearance on your resume.

One of the trickiest parts is when wondering where to put clearance on a resume. You have three sections, and all these options are equally good.

Updating Your Resume with Security Clearance

When speaking of how to put security clearance on a resume, it is vital to know all the essentials, which means following intelligence agency resume guidelines. Landing a new job is not easy, and when you are looking for a unique opportunity, everything matters, not just your character, skills, and experience but your credentials as well.

Security clearance means you have access to national security information. These days, many can find CVs on various job sites and take advantage of the information you share. For that reason, you need to be extra careful when considering how to list clearance on your resume. LinkedIn and other websites of that kind are not the places where you should add such details.

If you don’t have a resume security clearance, your potential employer won’t even consider you for the job if it is the type of work that requires it. On the other hand, you may get in trouble if revealing too much information. Simply follow the steps above on how to put security clearance on a resume.

If you have research experience, you should also add it to your resume. How? Find out more in our article.

With that said, you can share that you own it, add its type, and you may also mention if it is active or not, but nothing more than that. The potential employer will see that, and if you land an interview, you will be asked about it, so that’s the time to reveal some details.

Final Recommendations

If you are ready to conquer the world and land a new job, one of the questions that could be bothering you is how to add security clearance to your resume and whether it’s something you should do. If you own it, there is no reason not to add it because it is part of your efforts and work, and you deserve it. Adding it to your resume could help you get a job, especially when it is a position that requires it.

When placing it into your CV, pick one of the sections mentioned above, and don’t go into details. Add that you hold or had it at some point and its level. That’s about all you need to put into the resume. You will point out that you have it and follow the NSA and other agencies’ guidelines.

FAQ

Can you list the different levels of security clearance?

Security clearances come in a few different levels. The levels are confidential, secret, and top secret. According to Intelligence Agency resume guidelines, it is okay to add security clearance on a resume along with its type.

Does security clearance belong to your resume?

Yes. You have been working hard to get the security clearance, so adding it to your resume is perfectly fine. When it comes to basic security clearance resume rules, you can add the information that you own it and its type, but you should not go into details.

Should you always list the security clearance you obtained?

There is no reason to avoid doing it. Having it is the result of your work, and it says a lot about your character, so if you own it, it should be part of your resume.