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Comment by gnarbarian | Hacker News Reader

The only thing that kept me going on this was excellent communication with both my new manager and HR. They guided me through the process and were very honest about where we stood and how I should answer ambiguous questions in the application. I was certain I would pass the background check but nonetheless it felt unnerving to let those other offers expire for something that was not really a sure thing.

Also some of the background checks can cost quite a bit more than $500. The preliminary ones are fast but the thorough federal one I'm undergoing now takes around 6 months.

I passed a similar one a few years ago which cost the employer more than 30k and took more than a year to compete.

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What kind of background check costs $30k? Were they looking at past finances?

Federal check for secret/top secret or a state check for someone with access to certain public safety stuff. It's painful enough that many police agencies find it easier and cheaper to train cops.

They validate your references and ask references for other references. Takes a lot of time.

I'd guess it's more of a security clearance thing where, amongst other things, they send people out to interview your family/friends/employers/etc.

You are correct.

Six months and $30,000 sounds about right or maybe even a little low for a US secret clearance. There's a reason they're estimated to be worth about $10,000 a year. Insanely expensive and time consuming to get.

(OP has mentioned in another thread that this was not a secret clearance, but very similar.)

Probably a level 5 or 6 certification of public trust.

Top Secret clearance invesigations cost about $60k back around 2005ish when I was in the military. They might be a bit more expensive now.

Finances are, in fact, one of the things that are scrutinized very carefully. Susceptibility to bribes is a major indicator of security risk.

Hey guys, this guy has Secret Clearance!

Nope ;) try again. It's similar but in a different silo.

Some DOE equivalent? Maybe silo was a subtle hint.

DHS and other intel agencies also have a secret equivalent that has reciprocity with the DoD.

Yea, but silo, silo, silo ;)

Level 5 or 6 certification of public trust?

(Even though this isn't OP's actual clearance level) you shouldn't be screaming out that a person has a certain level of US DoD security clearance (or DOE, DHS, etc).

We've got Dodgson here!

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