IT Employment

I used to work in the cleared sector in the DC Metro. Your best bet is to try for an internship type position with one of the large vendors i.e. Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin etc and hope for a position that will require a Secret. That'll get you in the door and start your paperwork.
For US born citizens without felonys and decent credit it's pretty easy to get a interim secret. As for the Top Secret...well, it costs them a little more then many thousands, the figure I always heard was 250k. Not to mention it can take up to 2 years to get fully investigated.
Finally, you can't get a clearance on your own. You have to have a sponsored (corporate or gov) need to know something classified before they'll even start the process. Good luck though, if you can break in, it's like Charlies golden ticket!

You can't really get one without a sponsor. But once you get a sponsor, it makes the process easier. I've held one since 1968 when I needed one for the military. It also helps if someone in your family has one, as that means much of the foot work has been done already. My grandfather had one and it was an just another generation added to the growing list of already checked out people. My son had no trouble getting his after mine was reaffirmed for a job I contracted for. I hold a Top Secret with a background investigation and a crypto clearance added. Most people can't even get cleared for confidential clearance. Good Luck

If you are hired for a position requiring a clearance, that hire is contingent on your obtaining the requisite clearance. If you have previously had a clearance, even if it's expired, it takes less time to get the renewal.

You will have to look at the classification listing to determine how to go. Some jobs require that you have a specific clearance to apply (current clearance required), while others may require you to get a clearance (ability to obtain required). If you have questions, call the contact number on the listing; they should be able to help you better.

As others have said, you can't get one on your own. Any costs of obtaining a clearance will be absorbed by your sponsor or the military.

Christine, it is not your responsibility to get the Top Secret Clearance. That responsibility falls squarely at the feet of the Employer (viz: The Government). I was in your position years ago and you were rated to your "security level" and your "security level" was set by your "security check" which was carried out by your prospective employer. You apply for the job and they will conduct the checks and you will get the job or not determined by the results of their back ground screening. If you have any affinity with a foriegn body such as Russia or China or that sort of thing, I would not fancy your chances. If you are into any form of activism, again, I would not like your chances. If you are squeaky clean and your background has not "BREAKS" (loose ends) then you will breeze through. Good Luck, Noel.

Christeen,
You must understand that it is the Government who decide whom they trust to deal with matters of Secret or Top Secret interests which impact on the security of the country. You must understand that to obtain a security clearance privately, is impossible. Even though a company deals in government matters, it is still the Government whom certify that companies employees to deal with sensitive material. If you need a clearance to work with a company or Government agency, then the employer will certify you with the Government's agencies.