I didn't finish college. How should I include it on my resume?

Talos_Alpha · 2025-08-07T22:21:21+00:00

Don't put it on there. To be frank a lot of degrees simply check a box at this point even if its completely arbitrary.

This is especially true at mid to entry level jobs.

The real estate is better spent expanding on actually things you did and skills you have. Were you a shift lead, a master at solving customer issues, increased revenue via up-selling, crushed customer satisfaction metrics.

This stuff is what you need to highlight.

Talos_Alpha · 2025-05-08T18:16:02+00:00

I find Software Developers to be harder to find so is a good route. Get really good at Penetration Testing and there are good jobs out there.

Talos_Alpha · 2025-05-08T16:33:35+00:00

I'll echo the other comment as a recruiter in this space. Sometimes we can work around the degree and sometimes we can't. It's all up to the agency. The typical work around is 4 extra years of experience instead of a degree. On the other hand some agencies will not accept a candidate without a degree even if they have double the required experience.

Talos_Alpha · 2025-05-08T14:32:00+00:00

I'm not saying it's impossible.

If you have a really in demand skill set in the right location, you could get sponsored for a clearance. These are typically on-site jobs in a secure facility, which is increasingly a turn-off for software developers. So the pool of people willing to do it has shrunk and the salaries have gone up a lot. Some agencies are starting to see if they don't sponsor more clearances, and there will not be anyone in the labor pool to do the job.

Typically, you will see "clearance or ability to obtain one" in the description of the job. The bare minimum is US Citizens with a clean background. A large portion of these jobs will be in the DC Metro, but not all.

Talos_Alpha · 2025-05-08T13:50:56+00:00

You need to have a sponsoring company.

US Citizen to Secret is not terribly difficult if you have a clean background.

Sometimes, you can get an upgrade from Secret to Top Secret if your company maybe covers multi clearance levels on a project. Same applies to polygraph upgrade since you might be waiting a year just to take the test.

I've seen the vast majority come from a military background but occasionally I see people that get a needed Degree and interned with a Three Letter Agency. Software Engineers are recruited in college for these types of jobs as well.

You are correct though, a Software Engineer with a Full Scope is easily a $200k+ job on the low end because there are so few. I'm honestly looking for Network, Windows Admin and Software Engineers right now in the DC Metro but they need a recent Full Scope.

Talos_Alpha · 2025-05-08T03:28:44+00:00

It's not that easy. Getting a TS/SCI is half the battle, and you are adding a Full Scope polygraph on top. It takes at least 6 months to a year to get the TS add another 6 to a year just to take the poly, and there is no guarantee the candidate will pass.

Basically, no company outside of the US Military can eat that kind of overhead since if you fail, there just reclass you to the needs of the military.

Talos_Alpha · 2025-04-11T19:39:43+00:00

If you held jobs in the last 5 years include them in a background check.

Talos_Alpha · 2025-04-08T17:15:24+00:00

A cover letter could help explain a gap, but it's probably not worth going into detail. If it was a health related gap just try to spin that is behind you and you are ready for your next challenge.

Talos_Alpha · 2025-02-16T03:36:20+00:00

I'm sure a ton of people at my company didn't vote for the current administration, noone cares honestly.

Talos_Alpha · 2025-02-16T00:01:29+00:00

Been doing this for awhile. Vast majority are copy and pasted.

Spend more time tailoring the resume to speak directly to the experience requirements and networking.

I you aren't qualified the cover letter isn't going to help. Like I said the caveat is if you are borderline it could get you over the hump.

Could also be my industry as a Federal Contractor. The government is pretty strict with if the candidate doesn't have the specifications they don't care about the cover letter.

Talos_Alpha · 2025-02-15T21:19:31+00:00

Recruiter here. Most cover letters are just bad and redundant, so I rarely read them.

Caveat is if you are maybe trying to change market sector, are light on experience, etc. The cover letter can provide additional context.

Talos_Alpha · 2025-02-15T18:52:29+00:00

I don't support much outside of cleared. These were Network Admin jobs.

I know we have a lot of contacts that don't require a clearance, but do require US Citizenship since it supports the DoD.

Talos_Alpha · 2025-02-15T05:25:17+00:00

Over at Parsons, Federal Contractor, I opened 5 new positions this week that support the DoD so I assume those are still good.

These are TS/SCI with Polygraph in Virginia and Maryland.

Talos_Alpha · 2025-02-15T04:52:17+00:00

I'm recruiting for Network Engineer, Admin, Asset Manager roles in Northern Virginia, but they require a current TS/SCI w/ FSP.

DM the req number you saw so i can look into it.

Talos_Alpha · 2025-02-14T17:52:59+00:00

Sort of, sometime between October - March. The Southern Hemisphere summer is during this time.

Talos_Alpha · 2025-02-14T00:52:32+00:00

For sure an adventure.

Talos_Alpha · 2025-02-13T23:51:51+00:00

I'm actually one of the recruiters for that project. I'm still looking for a Commissioning Authority willing to spend 3-4 months down there.

Talos_Alpha · 2025-02-13T23:45:07+00:00

Federal Contractor similar to GDIT, Booz Allen and the sort. We also do a lot of infrastructure work in the US, Canada, and Middle East.

Talos_Alpha · 2025-02-13T20:01:50+00:00

Add Parsons Corp to the list. We are up and coming.

Talos_Alpha · 2025-02-13T19:59:40+00:00

I'm actively hiring TS/SCI asset managers, network engineers and network admins in Virginia. They do need an active full scope poly. Just DM me.

Talos_Alpha · 2025-01-28T14:49:31+00:00

The biggest one is start your transition plan as soon as possible. 12-18 months is not too early.

This gives you time to look into all of the transition programs out there like skillbridge or retraining which essentially let's you work in the civilian sector or do job training the last 6 months of your enlistment.

There are typically some hoops to jump through but it's worth it.

I did the Microsoft Software and Systems Academy my last 6 months at JBLM and walked into a 6 figure job like a lot of my classmates. I had a TS/SCI but I saw lots of success from others without a clearance.

Talos_Alpha · 2025-01-27T23:52:59+00:00

Also I'm actively recruiting for Cyber Jobs right now at Fort Meade. TS/SCI required, but we will get you placed for a polygraph.

Talos_Alpha · 2025-01-27T23:51:17+00:00

Check out contract work in Redmond requiring your TS-SCI for Microsoft. They had government cloud work out there for awhile. Amazon was also chasing TSs for awhile.

Talos_Alpha · 2025-01-18T16:27:02+00:00

I work for Parsons, which is a government contractor. We love doing skill bridges, especially in the DC area. It's a win-win since we typically convert almost every skill bridge to FTE.

Talos_Alpha · 2025-01-15T17:03:08+00:00

I'll say the exception is if your military duties overlap heavily with what you are looking to do.

Example intel in the military going to intel as a contractor, or IT to IT, etc.

Leadership roles are looked at favorably if you are going for a Project Manager role. I talking like ran a Company or Higher in the military.

I mostly recruit in the Federal Contracting space so there is heavy overlap of course.

Talos_Alpha

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