What Questions Do They Ask In A Security Clearance Interview?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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  • How did you learn about this position?
  • What makes you qualified for this position?
  • What are some of your most important personal values?
  • Are you a punctual person?

What kind of questions do they ask for security clearance?

You'll be asked if he has

any arrests in his history

, mental and emotional issues, foreign contacts, foreign travel, if he drinks alcohol and if so; how much, any drug use, financial issues, conduct issues in the military, misuse of information and technology (hacking), and whether or not he has any associations to …

How do I prepare for a security clearance interview?

interview advice

You should:

Bring a government-issued photo ID, such as a driver's license or military ID card

. Bring a personal address book or anything that contains contact information on your associates and family members. Bring a copy of your SF86.

What can disqualify you from a security clearance?

  • Poor credit choices over a prolonged period of time;
  • Theft, embezzlement, tax evasion, and other financial violations;
  • Recognizable patterns of unpaid debt.
  • Recognizable patterns of paying consistently late.

What questions do background investigators ask references?

They will ask you some

basic details to verify what he told them about your relationship

. Timelines, how you knew each other, etc… They may ask if he has any foreign contacts, or has ever worked for a foreign government. They will ask if he has ties to any terrorist/extremist groups.

What happens if you fail a security clearance?

The most common documents you will be asked for include documents with evidence of identification (passport, identity card, or birth certificate), utility bills, curriculum vitae, or a deed poll. If you fail to produce any of these,

the vetting officers may call off your application for security

approval.

How often are security clearances denied?

You may even wonder if you should continue with the process, particularly if you're not getting a paycheck while you wait. But don't lose heart –

20-30% of all interim are denied

, but that is vastly different than the figure of final clearance denials, which hovers around 1%.

Will I be interviewed for a secret clearance?

Will I be interviewed by an investigator? If you are being investigated for a Top or for a Secret clearance that requires access to a designated Secret Special Access Program (SAP), an

Enhanced Subject Interview (ESI)

is a regular part of the investigation.

What are the requirements for a security clearance?

  • The first phase is the application process. This involves verification of U.S. citizenship, fingerprinting and completion of the Personnel Security Questionnaire (SF-86).
  • The second phase involves the actual investigation of your background. …
  • The final phase is the adjudication phase.

Who gets interviewed for top secret clearance?

For a secret clearance in a national security position, the investigation requires agents to

interview people who have lived or worked with the applicant at some point in the last seven years (or more)

.

How far back does secret clearance go?

Security Clearance Adjudicative Process

The clearance process for Secret level access uses an investigation called the National Agency Check with Law and Credit that goes back

five years

, while the clearance process for Top Secret uses a Single Scope Background Investigation that goes back ten years.

Will bad credit stop me from getting a security clearance?

Imperfect financial circumstances, such as bad credit scores, can have a negative influence on your application and

potentially cause your security clearance to be denied

. However, the dollar amount associated with your financial troubles is usually less important than the reasons behind your financial situation.

Why would a public trust clearance be denied?

However, your application may be denied for various reasons like

drug involvement

, financial debt or affluence, reckless sexual behavior, gambling addiction, undue foreign influence, technology misuse, or other behavior the government considers as a risk to national security.

Do they call your references for secret clearance?


References are less likely to be contacted for

a Secret security clearance, but if there are issues, references may be contacted to verify issues. Likewise, if you're less likely to need a personnel subject interview for a Secret clearance determination – unless there are issues an investigator needs to clarify.

Does the Army really call your references?

The short answer is,

no. They don't always

, nor are required to contact your references.

Why would you fail a security clearance?

Your Personal Conduct

Another common reason for security clearance deniable is

having questionable personal conduct

. Someone who is willing to lie on the security clearance application or fail to disclose important details can cause someone to be deemed unreliable.

David Evans
Author
David Evans
David is a seasoned automotive enthusiast. He is a graduate of Mechanical Engineering and has a passion for all things related to cars and vehicles. With his extensive knowledge of cars and other vehicles, David is an authority in the industry.