# Fundamentals of Conducting a Personnel Security Interview Course (Self-paced)

Canonical URL: <https://www.graduateschool.edu/courses/fundamentals-of-conducting-a-personnel-security-interview-course-self-paced>

## Overview

Gain a general overview of the skill set required for conducting interviews for personnel security purposes. Designed for government and private industry personnel whose duties require conducting interviews of persons being considered for a position of trust or access to classified information, this course informs you of the process of conducting personnel security interviews and reporting the results of those interviews. The main emphasis is on conducting subject interviews both for screening purposes and to resolve a known or developed issue. Learn adjudicative criteria in terms of the development of all information necessary to resolve an issue.

## What you'll learn

- Obtain the skills required for conducting federal government personnel security interviews for preemployment screening, adjudicating reinvestigations.
- Resolve known or developed applicant and employee issues.
- Gain insight into how to take the necessary steps in reporting the results of those interviews to OPM when required.

## Curriculum

#### Module 1: Conducting the Interview

- Importance of objectivity in personnel security interviews.
- Preparing for the interview by establishing the right atmosphere and seating arrangements.
- Creating the right mindset before the interview and setting a clear agenda for the interview process.
- Active listening techniques and avoiding common interview mistakes like over-personalization and failing to listen.
- Dealing with illegal interview questions and understanding what can and cannot be asked.

#### Module 2: Suitability and National Security Adjudication

- Roles and responsibilities of adjudicators in determining suitability and security clearance eligibility.
- Understanding suitability vs. security, and the various adjudicative guidelines for determining eligibility for access to classified information.
- Exploring the factors and guidelines used to make decisions, including loyalty to the U.S., foreign influence, financial considerations, and personal conduct.
- Understanding the concept of "whole person" adjudication and how to weigh favorable and unfavorable information.

#### Module 3: Issue Expansion

- Identifying when and how to expand on an issue during the interview process.
- Evaluating screening interview phases and determining the criteria for issue expansion.

#### Module 4: Legal Issues

- Understanding the Privacy Act and how it relates to personnel security interviews.
- Legal advisement requirements for personnel security interviews under Title 18 U.S. Code.

#### Module 5: Words of Caution

- Understanding the probative value of hearsay evidence in personnel security investigations.
- Distinguishing between "evasion" and "deception" during an interview and how to identify each.

## Pricing

**Tuition:** $1049