Cleared Hiring in a Shifting Market: Key Takeaways from ClearanceJobs Connect Colorado Springs

NewsData.io · United States · Sep 2, 2026

At ClearanceJobs Connect in Colorado Springs, Point Solutions Group founder Paige Goss and ClearanceJobs' Alex Schildt addressed the challenges of recruiting cleared talent amid changing regulations and a contracting defense labor market. Goss argued that recruiting is shifting toward assessing adaptability over credentials, and warned that AI-saturated hiring is making resumes less reliable — pushing firms toward network-based sourcing and targeted verification. Practical guidance included transparency around clearance investigation timelines, tying compensation increases to clearance milestones, and a typical 10–20% salary premium for cleared professionals post-clearance. The session also touched on attracting out-of-state talent to Colorado and navigating Gen Z's skepticism toward AI in hiring.