A Top Secret (TS) security clearance represents a high-level credential in the job market, particularly within government contracting, defense, and intelligence sectors. Possessing this authorization immediately sets a candidate apart, demonstrating a history of thorough background vetting and reliability. Correctly communicating this status on a resume is paramount, ensuring that automated screening tools recognize the qualification and that security-aware recruiters quickly identify you as a viable candidate. The placement and specific language used to describe your clearance directly influence whether your application moves forward in the hiring process.
Understanding the Value of Your Clearance
A current TS clearance provides a significant advantage to potential employers because it represents substantial cost and time savings for the sponsoring organization. Obtaining this level of security authorization is lengthy and expensive, often taking many months or even over a year for a new hire. Onboarding a candidate who already holds the required access minimizes the time-to-hire, allowing them to begin working on sensitive projects immediately. This existing credential makes you a more attractive investment for companies operating on contracts that require immediate access to classified information.
Strategic Placement on Your Resume
The location of your clearance status on the resume must be highly visible to both human reviewers and Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). Placing this information in multiple strategic areas ensures it is not overlooked during initial screening. Different sections serve distinct purposes, from immediate notification to providing context within your work history.
Resume Header
The header is the most visible area, positioned right next to your name and contact information. Listing the clearance status here provides immediate notification to the reviewer that you meet a fundamental job requirement. A concise, one-line entry in this area acts as a powerful, immediate filter-passer.
Professional Summary Section
The professional summary is often the first descriptive text a screener reads, making it an optimal location for repeating your clearance status. Integrating the clearance into a summary sentence links the authorization directly to your professional identity and years of experience. This placement emphasizes the qualification alongside your most relevant skills and career achievements.
Dedicated Clearance Section
For candidates with a complex security profile, a separate section titled “Security Clearance” may be beneficial. This dedicated space allows for the inclusion of multiple details, such as additional accesses or a polygraph status, without cluttering other sections. This approach is most often used when a candidate holds Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) access or multiple special program authorizations.
Employment History Integration
Within the employment history section, you should briefly reference the required clearance within the bullet points for specific roles. This integration confirms that you actively used the clearance in a professional capacity, giving context to your duties. The reference should be concise, simply stating that the role required a “Top Secret clearance” without disclosing any classified project details.
How to Phrase Your Clearance Status
The language used to describe your clearance must be clear, concise, and adhere to standard government terminology. The most accepted phrasing states the level, status, and any ancillary accesses you possess. For a fully vetted status, use a phrase like “Active Top Secret/SCI Eligible.” Including Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) eligibility indicates suitability for accessing a broad range of intelligence information. If you have passed a polygraph examination, often required for the highest-level access, include that detail, phrased as “Full Scope Polygraph” or “Lifestyle Polygraph.”
Handling Lapsed or Inactive Clearances
A clearance becomes inactive when an individual separates from a cleared position. While no longer “active,” it enters an “eligible for reinstatement” status, typically maintained for 24 months after you last accessed classified systems. During this period, a new sponsoring employer can usually reactivate the clearance without requiring a full new background investigation, significantly accelerating the hiring process. If your clearance falls into this category, you must be honest about its status on your resume. Appropriate phrasing includes “Top Secret held, eligible for reinstatement (within 24-month window)” or “TS/SCI Reinstatable.”
Essential Security and Privacy Guidelines
Security protocol dictates that certain information related to your clearance must never be included on a publicly visible resume. The resume should confirm the status of your authorization, not disclose sensitive, underlying data. You must omit the following details:
- Specific dates of your investigation or reinvestigation.
- The name of the investigating agency or the government entity that granted the clearance.
- The name of the organization that sponsored your security access.
- Any details, names, or code words related to classified programs, projects, or locations where you utilized the clearance.
Adhering to these guidelines maintains compliance and protects against inadvertently exposing sensitive national security information.