This is a subject that deserves some attention.  Personal information security is an area of this industry, that is most peculiar and disturbing.  It kills me to hear of criminals and con-artists, posing as a company recruiter and trying to collect resumes and DD 214s .  And what will they do with that information?  Your imagination is your limit.  So I guess the question is, how do you apply for jobs safely, and avoid these kinds of issues?

     One way to do that, is to do a mini-background check on the company you are submitting too.  Google them, ask around on the forums, and call the company itself, and check with a few of the associations out there.  There are certain things that should shout ‘watchout’ to you, when doing your research.  

    If the company just started up, and no one can vouch for anyone in that company, that should cause concern.  Some companies claim in the beginning that they need guys fast, only to later say that the project has been put on hold.  This is usually the sign of a small company fishing for resumes, so they can use them for future contract submits.  Or, they could be doing that, just to get your personal information and use it or sell it for criminal purposes.  You have to be careful out there, and really check out the company before handing over the goods. 

     The other area of concern, is how that company handles your personal information.  Have they implemented a security plan, to protect that DD 214 and resume and ‘first born child’ that you gave to them?  And this area, is of particular concern to me.  So this is a great way for me to promote the good work and thoughts of a friend of mine, who runs the GWOT Jobs (one of my widgets). 

    The owner of this site is an awesome individual, and has really worked hard to provide a safe and secure tool for job seekers to use.  I have seen his operation grow over the years, and he has hooked up a lot of guys with job information.  Also, he has put a lot of time, money and effort into insuring the security of the personal information that is posted on the profile portion of his site.  He cares about the troops and that is cool.  I have posted one of his articles below from his blog, and if you want to read some more of his stuff, click on the link below. -Head Jundi

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Standard HR practice
(11 May 08) Gents and Ladies - I have heard time and time again - it is standard HR practice. That is - when job seekers apply to a job and all information is passed via e-mail. We completely understand what is meant by standard HR practice - what we do not understand or agree with is the fact that personnel and companies in our business - practice much more than standard HR procedures. Let me explain why - we say that;

Where in the business world do we see e-mails such as this for job seekers (other than our industry - which is still relatively new)?

This is very standard e-mail to personnel in our job community - though it is missing one thing that we all see time and time again. MUST HAVE Active Secret or TOP SECRET clearance - no exceptions.

     In my never ending goal of providing a service to the reader, I have produced a couple of widgets(little information blocks on the right side of the site) in regards to two really great job resource sites.  One is the Secure Aspects Job Board, and the other is the GWOT Job Boards.

     The way to use these two new tools, is constantly check them when you visit this blog.  It’s as easy as scrolling down a bit, and making a quick visual check on any new offerings.  I think this will be a big hit for you guys, and I hope you enjoy. 

    The only catch with these job boards, is that you have to register to get all the information about those jobs.  Like I have said before,  I think the Secure Aspects Job Board is a great value, for the money.(ten dollars a month).  You can also just do a month to month deal, if that is more your style.  I say subscribe to the service until you get the job you are looking for.  Or hang on to the service, and always keep up to date on the most current jobs available to our particular industry. 

     The GWOT Job Board is an excellent resource as well, and that service is free at this time. 

    Now if you want the code for these widgets, because you would like to put them on your own website or whatever, let me know, and I will hook you up.  And witht these two new features of the site, I will also be able to focus on finding job stuff that these boards have not posted. 

     Also, I am not working for either web sites.  All I am doing is promoting some really good resources, and trying to add value to your precious time you spend on Feral Jundi.  And overall, my goal is to provide news and job direction to you the reader.  Well, take care and happy job hunting out there.  -Head Jundi

     Hey guys, I just wanted to promote another forum/job board, that I think is totally worth the money and time.  It is the Secure Aspects Group Job Board, and over the last couple of months, they have really been producing some good job postings for overseas work.  I know the owner of the site, and have worked with him in Iraq, and he is good people. 

    The cost of the service is 10 dollars a month and you can post your resume on the site, for employers to look at.  SA also has a premium membership deal which is kind of new, and I really don’t know much about that.  But I will give a big thumbs up for the job board, if you are looking for CONUS/OCONUS security specialist jobs.

    The other reason I recommend this job board, is that some of the companies out there, will only advertise through a board like that.  In essence, they want a targeted audience, and they are not willing to just plaster it all over the place.  I have tried other job boards like this, but so far, this one has been the best performing and most fruitful.  -Head Jundi   

http://www.secureaspects.com/jobboard/

     For this post, I wanted to re-emphasize how important it is to read the forums.  From what I have been reading lately, both SOC SMG and EODT are looking for guys again to deploy to Iraq.  This is the kind of information that you won’t necessarily find while doing a basic Google search or checking those company’s websites.  This is the kind of stuff, that you only get clued into, when reading the posts from the various recruiters and managers that hang out on the forums. 

     What you should clue in on, is when the moderators of the forums, are promoting news and jobs.  That, and if a moderator can vouch for a recruiter’s or manager’s post on the forum.  I would also warn against believing everything you hear on the forums, because there are times when guys spread some gossip or incorrect news.  In other words, you have to become an online job detective in order to make your own determinations.  One thing is for sure, if you don’t get good at reading the forums, then you will miss out.  For me, I check all my favorite forums at least twice a day, and sometimes more.  Happy job hunting.  -Head Jundi

   I thought that this was an interesting find, posted on Wikihow.  The information provided in the how to section, gives us contractors who are interested in that kind of work, some guidelines to being an excellent product for the client.  Check it out.  -Head Jundi

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How to Hire a Bodyguard

“Bodyguard” has become a Hollywood term and is probably not what you want. The vocational name is “Executive Protection” or “Personal Security” and specialists are not hard to find. Follow these instructions to ensure you’re getting someone truly qualified to protect another person’s life and well-being.
StepsUnderstand that “Personal Security Officer” is a professional service, so keep your expectations realistic. Look for “Executive Protection” specialists who, like the “Secret Service”, are proactive, clean cut, intelligent, articulate, educated professionals. Contrast these specialists with the stereotypical 400 pound thugs working for Britney Spears or Madonna. These “bodyguards” are actually working as bouncers or bounty hunters and lack specialized training.

March 27, 2008

By Head Jundi

Well, for my first “how to” story, I thought I would write a little something about security contractor forums and how to use them. Where do you go to learn about security contracting, and specifically, high threat security contracting in places like Iraq and Afghanistan?  With these links and tips, I hope to show you how.  

So let me start out by posting a few forums and web sites, that the reader can start out with.  There are others, and  please feel free to post in the comments section any of the ones I am missing.  I will be constantly adding to my blogroll as well.