Today we are exploring inspiring tales of small businesses navigating the challenging landscape of national security. It’s a game where the stakes are high and the challenges of recruiting are downright daunting, but today’s guest, Katie Helbling, has nailed it down to a science! Katie is the Content Marketing Manager at ClearanceJobs – the largest career network for professionals with federal government security clearance – and she shares how working with multiple contractors in the DOD for over a decade has helped her in the work she does today. For Katie, work ethic is everything, and she describes how work ethic fits into “the best athlete” recruiting strategy before explaining the HR differences between the private sector and public sector, how she navigates the recruiting challenges that are specific to national security, how to enter the world of government contracts and how to manage those relationships, and the importance of building a compelling recruiting brand (and how to do it). We also learn about maintaining the equilibrium between competitors and strategic partners, the value of having adequate resources, and how Katie Helbling has turned tough recruiting odds into strategic advantages to thrive as a subcontractor in national security. Key Points From This Episode:Welcoming ClearanceJobs’ Katie Helbling as she walks us through her GovCon story. Interesting facts and data points about the national security landscape. Katie’s origins in recruiting and how she transitioned to national security. Her summation of “the best athlete” staffing strategy – a personal journey. How working in HR differs between the private sector and public sector. Navigating the recruiting challenges that are specific to national security.Getting into government contracts as a recruiter, and how to manage those relationships.Katie’s advice for cultivating a compelling brand, and why it’s important to do so. Why resources matter, and finding the balance between competitors and strategic partners.What the good people at ClearanceJobs are currently focused on. Sponsors:Withum: https://www.withum.com/Withum is a forward-thinking, technology-driven advisory and accounting firm that offers a range of services including business advisory, forensic and valuation services, accounting and assurance, digital transformation, cybersecurity, and tax consulting.Twenty39 – helping small businesses be successful in GovCon: https://www.twenty39.comIf your business is considering government contracting and needs expert advisory, business development, proposal management, and/or operations support we are here to help. We provide end-to-end enablement for pursuing government contracts.Hive39 Community: https://twenty39.com/hive39-community/An inclusive online community for GovCon Small Businesses and Consultants to learn, share, and grow. Receive free resources to support your business in pursuing government contracts; and meet new partners, identify small business relevant events and cost-appropriate vendor resources, stay up to date on policy and legal changes impacting small business, and share 1099 and partnership opportunities. Join today! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.