When we apply for jobs, we are asked to do various tests and interviews to determine whether we are fit for the job. We answer skills tests and psychology tests. The results of these tests would confirm whether we have the capacity to do the job. We also go through interviews with hiring managers and human resources to validate the contents of our resumes and to check whether our responses are consistent with the test results. During this period, we may also be subjected to a background check. For government jobs, this is usually handled by the Personnel Security Specialist.
Personnel security specialists oversee the background investigation for aspiring government workers. They issue security clearance if the applicant meets all the requirements. In addition to this, they also ensure that rules and regulations are followed at all times. In case there are changes, they must take it upon themselves to be updated on the new policies. They also coordinate with the hiring department in case there are concerns with the applicant.
If you are detail-oriented and if you consider yourself a good judge of character, you will be great in this role. You must also ensure that you can keep confidential information and that you are great with people.
There is more than meets the eye when it comes to being a Personnel Security Specialist. For example, did you know that they make an average of $34.23 an hour? That's $71,205 a year!
Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow 32% and produce 35,500 job opportunities across the U.S.
There are certain skills that many Personnel Security Specialists have in order to accomplish their responsibilities. By taking a look through resumes, we were able to narrow down the most common skills for a person in this position. We discovered that a lot of resumes listed Analytical skills, Detail oriented and Problem-solving skills.
If you're interested in becoming a Personnel Security Specialist, one of the first things to consider is how much education you need. We've determined that 55.7% of Personnel Security Specialists have a bachelor's degree. In terms of higher education levels, we found that 12.6% of Personnel Security Specialists have master's degrees. Even though most Personnel Security Specialists have a college degree, it's possible to become one with only a high school degree or GED.
Choosing the right major is always an important step when researching how to become a Personnel Security Specialist. When we researched the most common majors for a Personnel Security Specialist, we found that they most commonly earn Bachelor's Degree degrees or Associate Degree degrees. Other degrees that we often see on Personnel Security Specialist resumes include Master's Degree degrees or High School Diploma degrees.
You may find that experience in other jobs will help you become a Personnel Security Specialist. In fact, many Personnel Security Specialist jobs require experience in a role such as Security Specialist. Meanwhile, many Personnel Security Specialists also have previous career experience in roles such as Personnel Security Assistant or Security Officer.