How To Apply For A Job In Cybersecurity

Today, the cybersecurity job market is near near-zero unemployment, and organizations across the industry offer high salaries for top cybersecurity talent. Salaries for jobs in cybersecurity are high compared to other fields.

The job outlook for cybersecurity practitioners is highly positive, making it an excellent option for anyone looking for a career in cybersecurity. According to ISC2.org, approximately 2.93 million cybersecurity positions are open around the globe.

Applying for a job in cybersecurity is familiar to other career fields. Employers are looking for people with technical skills, relevant experience, and a solid foundation of knowledge in the area. 

Candidates should consider several factors before applying for various entry-level positions:  

• For the first step in applying for entry-level cybersecurity jobs, the applicant needs to build a list of the top 3 domains they plan to focus on. Are you preparing for a career as network security, application security developer, or security operations manager? 
• The applicants must be honest and assess their cybersecurity skill set, education, and career expectations. Cybersecurity is no different.
• Seek mentors to help build the three positions’ shortlist and advise which companies will most likely be hiring. The field is filled with experienced cybersecurity professionals who love to mentor others. 
• Landing the first role in cybersecurity is only the start. Experienced cybersecurity warriors did not start as senior incident directors on day one. The journey within cybersecurity is dynamic. 

What do all candidates need to have ready before applying for a job?

Understanding Industry terms: 

All applicants should be well versed in industry terms and acronyms for cybersecurity.  These acronyms for cybersecurity roles include:

SecOps – Security Operations and Security Engineering

NetOps – Network Operations and Network Engineer Role

DevOps – System Operations and Software Developers

APPDev – Application Development and Software Engineering

CISSP – Certification Information Systems Security Professional

Complete Academic Courses:

An associate’s or bachelor’s degree in computer science, cybersecurity, and application development are essential to entering the cybersecurity industry. Having a solid foundation of knowledge to complement your hands-on experience will help you obtain the dream job you seek.

Continue with all your certification courses:

Another critical component in the journey in the cybersecurity job market is earning advanced industry certifications. CompTIA Security+, Cisco CCNA, and Microsoft Azure fundamentals should be a focus for the applicant to achieve before and during the job search.

Network:

A great way to discover an entry-level job in cybersecurity is to network with professionals in the industry. Networking at vendor seminars, Linkedin groups, and job fairs is a great way to learn about companies currently hiring. 

Create a portfolio of your IT and Cybersecurity projects:

While searching for that perfect role in cybersecurity, volunteer or hire on as a contractor within a company to gain valuable hands-on experience—document what you have learned in these contracting engagements without disclosing any sensitive information about the company, the content you create could help during your interview process by showing recruiters and employers firsthand what you have accomplished so far in your journey.

Practice Interviewing with your friends and mentors:

Before any interview, always practice with a friend or mentor. Role-playing is very helpful for you to learn the best to answer cybersecurity questions during an interview. Even with significant experience in cybersecurity, the ability to articulate and communicate effectively is a very positive trait.

Be patient: 

Jobs are there. Companies are hiring. It takes time for a company to line up the job role, budget for the salary, and benefits, and interview to find the best candidate for the position.