Still Here: Breaking into the Cleared World with Lindy Kyzer, VP of Content and Market Engagement at Clearance Jobs

In this episode of Outspoken Podcast, Host Shana Cosgrove interviews Lindy Kyzer, a ClearanceJobs leader based in Omaha, Nebraska about security-clearance careers, recruiting market shifts, and building opportunity through networking and referrals. Lindy describes hosting ClearedCast and Federal News Network’s “Security Clearance and Security,” explains common clearance questions and misinformation (especially on Reddit), and plugs ClearanceJobs.com, a compensation survey, and her book and audiobook on the clearance process. She recounts how 9/11 and a ninth-grade trip to DC led to George Washington University, an Army internship, and Pentagon work before joining ClearanceJobs after being recruited via Twitter. As a solo parent of four, she shares travel and parenting strategies, emphasizes giving kids responsibility, and discusses authenticity in a male-dominated industry, advising competence, showing up, and not overworking for the same pay. The conversation also touches on clearance reform, reciprocity challenges across IC agencies, and Omaha highlights like the zoo and steakhouses.

Quotes

[19.39] "This is what I have is single parenting, solo parenting for kids... my kids are gonna have a strong female role model, whatever that looks like to say Hey, we just had to get things done. We're just making it every day and one day at a time." - Lindy Kyzer

[30.49] "The networking piece of it is huge. Nobody wants to be sitting applying for jobs all the time. You have to do both." - Lindy Kyzer

[39.58] "...build the job that you think you should be doing. Either your current employer will recognize that, or that's when you know you can pivot and find your next one." - Lindy Kyzer

Timestamps

[00:00] Welcome to Outspoken

[02:06] Clearance Podcast Breakdown

[03:01] Recruiting Market Shifts

[03:34] Omaha Roots and 9/11

[04:51] Falling for Washington DC

[09:00] Joining ClearanceJobs via Twitter

[13:20] Writing the Clearance Book

[14:45] Moving Home for Support

[17:21] Solo Parenting and Responsibility

[20:58] Authenticity at Work

[26:22] Clearance Job Search Tips

[36:17] Tenacity and Flexibility

[40:16] Omaha Surprises and Food

[42:28] Final Thanks and Wrap

Resources

ClearedCast Podcast

Federal News Network Podcast: Security Clearance Insecurity

Lindy Kyzer and Brian Drake Podcast

ClearanceJobs

Trust Me: A Guide to Secrets

Relevant Links

Lindy Kyzer on LinkedIn

ClearanceJobs

Nyla Technology Solutions

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Live well, Shana