The Quest

[BigV]

Good news:
I have been made an offer, verbally over the phone. I like the offer and they say an electronic copy will be arriving by email by early next week.

Bad news:
It is a contingent offer. It is contingent on me being granted a security clearance. This is beyond my direct control, even beyond the direct control of the employer as they don't issue security clearances.

I have never had a contingent offer (nor a security clearance). The employer says that the offer stands for six months, that they are suspending the search, that they want *me* and are willing to wait on the government (for up to six months) to get me. The employer indicated to me that they understand that I still need to work in the meantime and there are no restrictions on me during the six month "life" of the offer. The recruiter said I can take any kind of work in the meantime and when the government issues the clearance, or an interim clearance, they'll tell me (though I think I'd be informed by the government directly as well) and I can choose to accept this offer at that time.

This puts me in a kind of weird position. I want a job, I want full time work. I have other live interview/opportunities which may develop into offers. Take a job then quit saying "see ya, got a better offer", which I know absolutely happens, but I've never done that. Would I accept and say I'm expecting to leave within six months? That sounds like a bad idea. Who would intentionally hire someone, train them up knowing they wouldn't be there past six months? The flip side also feels dishonest, not telling them.

At this moment, these are hypothetical situations. I don't have to make any of these choices right now. But I'm probably going to have to make a decision like this at some point it the mid future.

Side note, the recruiter spent a lot of time talking up / talking about the benefits of the company, holidays, pay schedule, PTO schedule, etc etc. That was nice to hear, but you had me at "offer". She did also say that I need to get a technical certification which was discussed in the interview. I told the men that I didn't possess the cert they asked about. They replied, can you get it within six months of starting here? Yes, definitely. I'll start at the end of this call (and I did). One nice company benefit: $5,250 annual stipend for academic assistance and technical training. This certification would fall squarely under that characterization. I see a lot of schooling in my future.

I feel good.