Posted: 8/7/2008 10:35:23 AM EDT
| **I deleted my original post because it was recommended I do so by an unnamed party** |
Hmmm.... Actually, in that case.... ....I'd ask for $100k and negotiate from there  That kind of clearance is hard to find, and expensive to acquire. Needless to say, if some recruiter thinks they can do lower than $100k for someone at that level ("entry level" or not), then I'd say that they are the one's who are "entry level". _MaH |
| Honestly, I don't know if you'd get $100K right off the bat. Perhaps they'll start you lower and then give you a raise after your 6 months review. But you should still go in aiming for $100K because they'll be getting a HUGE discount for those 6 months during your "probation" period. I guess it depends on how smart or stupid or slimy they are, and how well you can demonstrate your skills/value, etc. |
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Depending on exactly who sponsored you and what compartments you have been granted access to it could get up to 100k. Look around at CSC, Lockheed, Northrup Grumman, and the other bit intelligence community companies. Already cleared personnel are much sought after. Instead of having to find work and pay someone while a clearance is processed, they can have you working within a few weeks. Edited to add: 4 year degree? Without one the pay scale goes down significantly for most of the agencies. |
PM me if you're interested in the government side, and I'll keep my eyes open for you (and give you details on where exactly I'd be looking.) Hope you like writing KSAs.  In certain places the experience is more valuable than the degree. Write the KSAs well, get the interview, talk the talk, get the job. Harder than it sounds, of course, but I've learned that's how it works.ETA: If your experience is on target, you're not entry level. |
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TS/SCI + Poly is worth a lot, but if you don't have the skills to back it up, you still won't get 6 figures. 70-100, maybe, but you better know your stuff. know your stuff back and forth, doesn't matter if you have 1.5 years, the sky is the limit to what you can earn. that is unless, you are just a warm body. which in the contracting world, you seem to be worth your weight in gold if you can fill a seat anymore and suck up money... |
agreed, i know people that have been in the industry for decades and couldn't help you a bit - then there are 20 somethings that know absolutely everything and are the biggest help in the world. |
I have a 4 year degree in Business Information Systems with honors. I am also enrolled in a network+ class for the next 3 weeks and will be going for that cert and then a 5 week class for CCNA. I have been more involved with Windows systems installation and troubleshooting, and some basic networking stuff, but I need to take the formal networking classes to help it all come together. I'd like to get more involved in networking and then perhaps security. For my current job I had to learn a little bit of UNIX to administer a few hundred user accounts, but I am interested in learning how to actually do UNIX.
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check out www.gdit.com/ they always have a lot of IT jobs that require full poly. |
Bishop, It sounds like you are a good position. A few things that we look for are people with certifications and UNIX skills. Shoot me your resume if you like. Mike |
QFT. Now that all kinds of workshops have popped up to give anybody and their brother a Microsoft/Cisco/whatever certification, the market has been flooded with "qualified" people, while the demand for UNIX admins has increased with no change in supply. _MaH ETA:
Yet another QFT. |
Well, sort of. I recently submitted an application for a position in the same series, one grade higher, but in a different office. Didn't get anywhere. So I had our HR liaison look at what I submitted, and she emphasized the importance of speaking to exactly what they're looking for. If the posting gives you specifics, talk about those specifics, both in the KSAs, and (to my surprise,) in your resume. That is to say, change your resume, to emphasize that you've done in your current/previous job what the prospective job requires. If task or skill X was 10% of your previous job, and it's90% of the prospective one, emphasize that you did that for however long you had that job. I have also been told that when writing KSAs, examples are helpful. If it says "effectively communicate complex ideas to leaders using a variety of methods," mention that you know how to communicate using a variety of methods, such as X, Y, and Z. Then go on, (I'm making up this example) "for example, when I was in the Air Force, I prepared a slide presentation using MS Powerpoint and briefed the wing commander on the incidence of underage drinking in the junior enlisted barracks. For my work in this area, I was selected as the 999th Security Forces Squadron's NCO of the Quarter, Jan-Mar 1998. As a further result, the 999th Wing instituted a plan that reduced underage drinking arrests by 50% and alcohol poisoning events by 75% in the following year." Lastly, never assume that the person scoring your application knows you have a skill or have done something. For example, if the job requires the skill to intubate patients and you're a paramedic, say you know how to perform intubations. Don't assume the HR tard know that medics can do that (in a way, I can't really blame them. They can only score what they see.) Don't even assume they know you can do basic things, like use MS Word. If the announcement says "skill with MS Word," mention your skill in it. It's a lot of work, but you don't want to give the HR person a chance to say you didn't answer anything that was asked. The bottom line is, if you're not the best qualified, you won't get the job. But if you are the best qualified, tell them why. |
I found it to be more of a recruiting event than an interview. They did ask me about my experience, etc, but less questions that when I applied for a mailroom job years ago..... I made the mistake of divulging my current salary though, which was under market even before I got the clearance. They used it to formulate my offer, exactly 20k more than my current. I am planning to talk to a few more companies and see if I can get some decent offers. |
Situation, Action, Result. Begin by briefly and succinctly describing the situation or problem. Then spend the most of your narration discussing your actions to address the situation and/or solve the problem. What actions did you take/what did you do? Finally, wrap it up with a concise summary of the result/outcome, i.e. how did your actions help solve the problem? |
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Offers I was getting 2 years ago where well over $120K. I have the same eligibility as you, However I have a BS in Computer Science, MS in Communications Technology / MBA and was retiring as a Navy Chief with 24 years in the field. In Norfolk as a SPAWAR contractor, I am in the 75-80 range. Less income, less outgo, much better QOL than NORVA I feel. Tip on resumes and KSAs....make sure you make your application exactly match the job you want. Your resume has to show you are the perfect fit for this job. Do not be afraid to write a focused resume for each and every job you apply for. Also, sorry to say it but Goold Ole Boy Network connections are by far and away the most important resource. Clearance is good, wont work without it. It is like a union card. Next: 1) Good ole Boy Net 2) Technical degree (at least a BS from a good school) 3) Certifications (CISSP, MCSE, and CCIE) I am taking a year or so sabbatical to finish up some certs while working as a consultant. After that I am going back as a contractor or GS. Good luck. May want to try a tour in the military. Good training, money for college, experience, Vet pref when you come, plus the satisfaction that only service can provide. R/ Mike VA Beach Good luck |
This company wouldn't happen to have 3 letters would it? |
It did have 3 letters actually. |