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What should I do about my dishonest job interview?

Anonymous — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 17:22:41 -0800

I was not truthful about my past drug use in a job interview. Now I have a job offer and need to get a secret security clearance. What should I do? I smoked weed five days a week for most of this year (from maybe January to halfway through August) before quitting and moving out of the college town. In the past couple years before that, I have a smattering of other drug uses (shrooms, coke, addy; 3-5 times each and in small quantities). I might be able to make a case that I was in a different situation then since I had become a member of a fairly drug laden crowd which I'm now completely disconnected from.

Two weeks ago, I went in for a job interview at a defense contractor and things went smoothly. Towards the end, the interviewer asked me if there was anything that would prevent me from getting a secret level security clearance and listed off a couple of things such as bankruptcy or a criminal record. I said no. After I said no, he made some joke about drugs and we laughed. I silently realized that my drug use might be an issue, something I hadn't thought about until that point. I'd previously figured they'd give a drug test, I'd pass, done deal. Last week, I got call from them saying they were going to be offering me a job.

I've been doing research on security clearances and realized that past drug use can definitely be grounds for clearance denial, but the details on how much use and how long you've been “clean” are fuzzy. I'm not sure if I should even be thinking about accepting their offer. I'm nervous about going for the clearance and ashamed that I ended up being dishonest to the interviewer (even though it was mostly accidental). As soon as he mentioned drugs, even though it wasn't a direct question, I should have piped up but I didn't and now here I am.

My main question:
How should I approach this? Should I call them up and say “I've made a mistake and was dishonest, take me or leave me”? Maybe it's not as bad as I think and they can still work with me. It would be a nice job if I get it. Or should I turn down the offer, give some vague reason, and make the problem go away? I don't need the money and have plenty of time to keep looking for other jobs. I'd still feel bad about the whole thing, but nobody would have to know.

The third possibility, which I've been rejecting as unethical, is not saying anything them, accepting the offer, and then acting surprised if my clearance ends up being denied.

Secondary question:
What are the chances of me actually getting a security clearance given my habitual drug use until three months ago?

Related question

security clearance + previous drug use?

Anonymous — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 12:44:40 -0800

If a person smoked pot in early July 2009, what is the likelihood of that person getting a secret security clearance for summer 2010 federal government internships? Is there anything that person can do now to maximize chance of getting a clearance? Other relevant details: various drugs used from 2004-2006 (though in relative moderation except for high frequency of smoking weed), then 1x or 2x a month marijuana usage from then on. Came to a full stop after July 4, 2009 before starting graduate school and have no plans to resume drug use ever.

Various websites say that the general rule is "12 months of no drugs," but it is ambiguous as to whether that is for top secret or secret.

Again, this person is looking for secret clearance rather than top secret, and this is for non-intel positions with the US government. And most internships start in May.

Basically, is it worth it to even apply for positions that require applicant to eventually get a secret clearance for the summer? Is there anything that can be done to help get this thing? (and, uh, if the answer is "there's no way in hell that you'll get the clearance," does anyone know of any federal agencies that don't require clearance?)

Throwaway gmail account that I'll check: governmentandsmoking@gmail.com

Would I know if I were considered a security risk?

Anonymous — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 10:36:24 -0800

If I had been rejected from a job in the US that required a security clearance because I was a security risk, would I know it? Or would I just keep getting rejected from other clearance-required jobs without being told why? Over my career as a computer geek I have applied several times for jobs with US intelligence agencies where I would be required to pass a intensive security clearance, including a polygraph. Twice I know I passed the process as they offered me the job. Those two times I didn't take it because other opportunities had sprung up in the meantime and I was no longer available. The third time, I had an awful time with the polygraph because of things going on in my life. I was honest, but they kept claiming that I was hiding something because I was still reacting on the poly. I didn't get that job. I fear it was because they thought I would do bad things security-wise.

Fast forward 10 years. I applied for another job that required a clearance. The interview didn't go very well, quite frankly, and I didn't get the job. But I was wondering - did I not get it because I was a bad fit, or did I not get it because since maybe, just maybe, they did a background check and found I was a considered a security risk? If so, would I know? I might want to apply for other jobs and don't want to face constant rejection.

Will a ADHD diagnosis or treatment make me lose my security clearance?

Anonymous — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 15:29:46 -0800

Will I lose my security clearance if I am diagnosed ADD/ADHD? And if not, what about if I am diagnosed and taking prescribed, but controlled medication for it? I have a United States Secret security clearance. I probably have ADHD--my wife is convinced and wants me to see a doctor.

Side note: I think she's probably right. My son has been diagnosed, and the reading we've done seems to point toward this. It would certainly explain some of the massive problems I have getting things done. Of course, my wifebis indeed not a doctor and I would actually be going to a pesumably qualified professional. Indeed I'd prefer to be declared, um, "normal" so I could just say I was lazy and could work harder. But that approach hang works for a long, long time and we're close to divorce over this issue.

If I am diagnosed, what are the effects on my clearance? What about if I begin taking medication? Most of the material out there seems to be aimed at military. A diagnosis apparently used to mean they wouldn't take you. Now you can get in with a diagnosis provided you haven't taken any amphetamines (prescribed even). So they're saying you can have a disorder as long as you don't treat it, which sounds ludicrous.

I have in fact considered leaving the defense industry for private sector work, which is fine and good and not a bad idea but not the answer I'm looking for. What I am looking for is advice about should I go (probably, not definitely) get diagnosed, and what are my disclosure requirements with regard to diagnosis and treatment. You are not my company's security department, but I'm trying to avoid the stigma that would certainly result if I were to ask in person.

Secret Security Clearance and academic transcript?

nikkorizz — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 15:26:19 -0800

Security Clearance: Will they check my academic transcript too? I will be graduating from college in a few months but I was recently hired for a position that requires a secret level security clearance. For the clearance, will they mostly stick to checking my criminal records? Or will they also delve into my academic transcript to see what classes I took, what grades I got, overall gpa, etc? And will they share it with my future employer.
Is that failed Calculus course going to come back and haunt me? I have no intentions of lying on the application, but I hate for it to be rejected for other reasons.

Drug tests and second hand pot

Anonymous — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 20:07:03 -0800

How carefully should I avoid second-hand pot smoke if I'm going to be applying for a security clearance? I'm in college and I'm looking into internships and careers in the DoD, including some jobs that will require clearances. Most of the literature I've read about the clearance process makes it clear that illicit drugs are not cool which is ok because I stay away from them as a general rule. However, as I'm in college and currently living in a dorm full of other college students I occasionally find myself at parties/walking into common rooms where other students are smoking pot. How necessary is it for me to remove myself from these situations? I've heard about tests for marijuana use involving hair. Will second hand smoke trigger them? If I apply for a security clearance will part of the process involve one of these tests? If it comes up positive and I explain that I can't help it if I walk down the hall and someone is smoking with the door open will I still be able to get a clearance? No, I'd rather not go running to an RA every time someone on my floor lights a joint. What they do with their spare time and money is none of my business. I just want to know how diligent I should be about avioding them

What is the value of a Secret security clearance in the software engineering job market?

bangitliketmac — Mon, 03 Jul 2006 06:58:28 -0800

What is the value of a Secret security clearance in the software engineering job market? For a software engineer near Washington DC, from entry-level to about 5 years of experience, what would you estimate the value of Secret security clearance? For example if two equally qualified candidates apply for a job, except one has the clearance, what difference in pay could that person expect?

Security Clearances

ao4047 — Tue, 18 Jan 2005 11:11:47 -0800

How does someone obtain 'U. S. Government Security Clearance'? I just got laid off and am searching for jobs online again and noticed this on the big sites like Hotjobs, Monster and Dice and it made me curious.