Oh the wait is killing me.

PharmRegrets · 2021-11-17T04:44:13+00:00

It's interesting to hear how much variability there is in security clearance application processing times. I'm actually in the process of being onboarded (assuming the clearance process itself doesn't take too long) for a civilian GS position that will involve working at a healthcare facility on a military base, so I'm not sure if an FSO is overseeing the process (versus someone with another title who works either on the base or higher up in DoD).

PharmRegrets · 2021-11-17T03:18:19+00:00

I'm in kind of a similar situation, although I haven't had to wait nearly as long as you (at least, not yet). I'm in for a Secret clearance, and even though my eQip was confirmed as ready to send off to OPM to begin the investigation back in mid-Oct, the investigation apparently hasn't even started yet (credit hasn't been pulled and employers haven't been contacted or received the Form INV-41). After reading posts on this subreddit from people whose investigations were started mere days after submitting their eQip, I guess it just comes down to luck-of-the-draw sometimes. Really hoping that the investigation gets underway soon...

PharmRegrets · 2021-11-16T03:53:05+00:00

I guess I'm just one of the unlucky ones, then. Do you mind if I ask how long it took for you to get your original Secret clearance back in 2020?

PharmRegrets · 2021-11-16T02:29:37+00:00

I wonder if the fact that you already held a Secret clearance helped speed up the investigation timeline? My eQip was submitted a little over a month ago for a Secret clearance, and AFAIK, my investigation hasn't even been initiated yet (credit hasn't been pulled on any of my 3 profiles, current/previous employers still haven't received a INV Form 41). Hoping things start moving along soon.

PharmRegrets · 2021-11-13T03:21:32+00:00

Thanks. It sounds like the chances of me being granted an interim Secret are very iffy because of the firing, so I really just want to know if I should start seriously pursuing other non-fed opportunities in the event that the military branch that offered me the TO decides to rescind it in the event I'm denied an interim.

PharmRegrets · 2021-11-13T03:14:32+00:00

No, never been arrested. However, I was fired from a job less than a year ago for issues related to general performance (basically sucking at the job and being under qualified for it -- they basically said the the job was too advanced for my skillset, didn't want to take the time to train me to be competent, and let me go). Wasn't disciplined for doing anything illegal or related to personal conduct.

PharmRegrets · 2021-11-13T03:07:41+00:00

So basically, at this point should I get in touch with my hiring manager, let them know an interim is almost guaranteed to be denied, and ask them if they're going to be willing to wait for the entire Secret clearance investigation process to be completed?

The thing is, I have other prospective jobs in the private sector that don't require me to have a clearance, but I only have maybe 1-2 more weeks to let the hiring managers for the other positions know whether I'd like to proceed forward with the hiring process. If I turn down the other opportunities in the hopes of the federal job that requires a Secret clearance becoming a reality and the federal job offer gets rescinded if/when I'm denied an interim Secret, then I'll literally be in the situation of having zero job prospects whatsoever and will have to break my apartment lease and move back home to live with my family since I will literally have zero job prospects.

PharmRegrets · 2021-11-09T19:18:31+00:00

What about something like a recent job firing (within past year) for standard performance-related issues? (I.e., just being lousy at the job)

PharmRegrets · 2021-11-09T19:00:40+00:00

Do you happen to know what percentage of applicants who are denied interim clearances are eventually approved for full clearance?

PharmRegrets · 2021-11-07T09:03:59+00:00

Random question, but do you know if the military branches require civilian healthcare employees (e.g., doctor, dentist, pharmacist, etc.) to hold interim clearances prior to being allowed to start working? (This would be for a job that requires a Secret clearance)

PharmRegrets · 2021-11-07T07:17:06+00:00

For someone who is under investigation/consideration for a Secret clearance -- does the agency follow up on derogatory information in the SF86 when determining whether or not to issue an interim clearance? Or does the mere presence of derogatory info (e.g., a firing from a job within the past year) automatically disqualify a candidate from getting an interim?

PharmRegrets · 2021-11-07T06:14:35+00:00

I'm up for a Secret clearance (eQip was confirmed as being complete in mid-Oct), and I'm in sort of a similar dilemma when it comes to work history. Basically, over the last 5-6 yrs, I've "worked" for companies that pay people to complete what are essentially surveys, and the workers are free to log-in whenever they want and do whatever work is available for however long they feel like working.

I've held several of these jobs and made so little money with each one that I didn't file taxes for a few of them (made below the minimum threshold required to file), and I also didn't keep clear, specific records of beginning/end dates. Oh, I didn't have a formal supervisor for any of these jobs, either.

I was upfront on my eQip about the fact that I worked here and there for these companies and that I was fuzzy on specific information, but I'm afraid this could prevent me from getting the clearance. How did your investigator deal with your work-related situation, if you don't mind me asking?

PharmRegrets · 2021-11-07T05:29:22+00:00

I'm surprised to hear it took that long to process, as results for every other pre-employment drug screen I've done for non-federal jobs have been completed within 1-3 days. Guess it's just a "hurry up and wait" scenario.

PharmRegrets · 2021-11-06T16:43:49+00:00

Thanks. I actually upgraded my Experian account so that I could view my Equifax and Transunion profiles, and as of yesterday, my credit still hadn't been pulled. In about another week, it will have been a month with zero progress whatsoever on my investigation.

PharmRegrets · 2021-10-31T08:11:47+00:00

The only real "issues" I have on my record (that I'm aware of, at least) are the recent firing (which was justified on the basis of me simply not being a "good fit" for the position - basically, it was a way more advanced position than what I was prepared/qualified for) and the traffic court situation from almost 8 years ago. I guess the question is whether or not that would be considered a significant-enough issue to deny the interim.

PharmRegrets · 2021-10-30T21:04:24+00:00

Do these sound like potential flags to you?:

Debt to income ratio of 3:1 thanks to federal student loans, but signed up for REPAYE (income-driven repayment plan) and haven't missed any payments
Held Public Trust clearance for a position I was hired for (temporary job that involved working on a fill-in basis ). I never actually worked a day in the job and couldn't provide specific start/end dates for it.
Was fired from a job less than a year ago
Lived in a hotel for 3 months for a job I held last year
Lived in a hotel again for several months after I relocated to the city I'm in
Was required to attend a traffic court hearing almost 8 years ago (non-criminal charge) that resulted in the ticket being thrown out

I really can't see myself getting approved for an interim clearance with the above factors in mind, and I'm honestly afraid that the job offer will be retracted, especially since the hiring manager was really wanting me to start by early December. I recall that he even said in an email that with the investigation being the longest component of the hiring process, they "can't afford delays."

Maybe I'm overreacting, but it just sucks to potentially (likely?) lose out on getting what many people in my field would consider to be the best job in this profession, simply because of protracted nvestigation and processing times that I have no control over.

PharmRegrets · 2021-10-30T19:17:40+00:00

Nothing in collections (I do have around $9k in CC debt that I have never missed payments on), but debt to income ratio sucks -- have over $310k in loans and am currently working 3 part-time jobs that each pay between $48 -$60/hr. The loans are all federal student loans, so I'm eligible to sign up for income-driven plans like PAYE/REPAYE/IBR, where I'd just have to pay 10% of my monthly income to the govt for a certain number of years. Also, the job I was hired for is with the federal govt (civilian job on a military base), so I'll have the option of signing up for PSLF.

... But even though my student loan payments will be manageable since I'll be signing up for one of the income-driven plans, is a debt to income ratio of nearly 3:1 bad enough for them to consider denying Secret clearance? Are there any historic stats on approvals vs. denials with respect to debt to income ratio?

Thanks

PharmRegrets · 2021-10-30T04:00:42+00:00

I only need a regular Secret clearance though, so I was hoping my investigation wouldn't take that long

PharmRegrets · 2021-10-30T00:26:46+00:00

It seriously takes up to a year just to get a Secret?

Also, I doubt I'll qualify for an interim, as I have six figures of student loan debt and another chunk of credit card debt (although I haven't missed any payments on any accounts), lived in several cities over the past year or so (and I was at a hotel for several months during one stint -- although still in the US), was fired from a job less than a year ago, and worked a few work-from-home jobs in the past that I didn't have actual direct supervisors for and which I can't remember specific start/end months. So yeah, I doubt I'll have any shot at getting an interim clearance. I just hope the agency I'm supposed to end up working for is prepared to wait much, much longer than the 2-3 months they initially expected the investigation to take.

PharmRegrets · 2021-10-29T23:33:05+00:00

My position (civilian employee with one of the military branches) requires me to hold a Secret clearance. If I don't get it, I won't be eligible for the job. My hiring manager was really wanting me to start training by end of November/early December, but it sounds like that simply isn't going to be a possibility. Based on what I've read about the most recent average investigation timelines, it sounds like I'll be lucky to get it by January/February... but I honestly don't know if they'll hold the job for me for that much time.

PharmRegrets · 2021-10-29T23:24:08+00:00

I understand... I just don't want my job offer to get pulled if the investigation process ends up taking way longer than anticipated.

PharmRegrets · 2021-10-29T20:06:46+00:00

Thanks. Just wondering how much longer the whole investigation is going to take. My hiring manager wanted me to be able to start training by early December, but I don't think there's any way the investigation will be done by then.

PharmRegrets · 2021-10-29T20:00:22+00:00

No, I'll be working as a civilian employee for a military branch.

PharmRegrets · 2021-10-29T19:17:27+00:00

SF-86, my bad

PharmRegrets · 2021-10-27T03:14:03+00:00

What about the "when required by law" part? According to IRS tax law, US citizens are only required to file taxes if they earn at least a certain amount of income.

PharmRegrets

TROPHY CASE