A security clearance is one of the most valuable credentials a veteran can bring to the civilian job market. It can take 6-12 months and cost the government thousands to sponsor — listing it correctly on your resume gives you a massive competitive advantage.
Where to List Your Security Clearance
Place your clearance near the top of your resume for maximum visibility. The two best locations are:
- Professional summary — Mention it in the first 2-3 lines alongside your experience overview
- Dedicated section — Create a "Security Clearance" section just below your summary or contact info
How to Format It
Be specific but never reveal classified details. Include the clearance level, whether it's active or inactive, and the investigation type if relevant:
- Active TS/SCI — "Active Top Secret/SCI clearance (SSBI investigation, 2024)"
- Active Secret — "Active Secret clearance, current"
- Inactive clearance — "Secret clearance (inactive since 2024, eligible for reinstatement)"
What NOT to Include
- Never list specific program names, compartments, or codewords
- Don't mention specific intelligence sources or methods
- Avoid listing SCI compartments by name on an unclassified resume
Inactive vs. Expired Clearances
An inactive clearance can often be reactivated within 24 months without a full reinvestigation. Even expired clearances have value — they show you passed a thorough background check. Always list them.
Industries That Value Clearances
Defense contractors (Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, SAIC, Booz Allen), intelligence community contractors, cybersecurity firms, and government agencies all actively seek cleared candidates. CareerLift's AI Resume Generator can help you build a clearance-optimized resume.