Despite there being a talent gap in cybersecurity, it can still be tough to land a role even with all the jobs available out there it. Starting your cybersecurity journey can be confusing. With so many resources online, it’s easy to learn a lot of things and still not get it.
Chances are that you’ve googled how to land your first role in cybersecurity. Research shows the cybersecurity ecosystem has come to rely heavily on industry certifications to validate knowledge. This is because certifications empower individuals with theoretical knowledge required for specific cybersecurity roles. However, certifications are just a piece of the puzzle and not sufficient to land cybersecurity roles.
Let’s find out why…
Think about Shade who wants to be a badass driver. To start her journey, she picks up a book “Become a skilled driver in no time.”
After reading all about how to drive a car, Shade now knows what a brake is, how to use indicators, how the gear works, understands road signs, and everything else a skilled driver should know. Excited, she booked her driving test but failed woefully.
The reason for Shade’s failure isn’t farfetched. She didn’t apply the knowledge she had learnt. Hence, she had no driving experience.
As it relates to cybersecurity, certifications and work experience are the two most important factors when it comes to landing a cybersecurity role. As an entry-level person in cybersecurity striking a balance between both is important. You can get all the certifications but you stand a better chance when you have work experience.
The bar for what is considered “entry-level” employment in the cybersecurity industry is typically much higher than other fields. The National Security Agency (NSA) states that the following qualifications are required for many cybersecurity occupations to be considered “entry-level” include Bachelor’s degree plus and at least two years of relevant experience. This simply means that as much as certifications are important, work experience is just as important in landing your first role.
How to Stand Out When Applying for Cybersecurity Jobs
- Speak the language
This is the stage where you require certifications. Learn every acronym and essential term used in the industry inside and out. You must put in the effort to master the technical lingo employed by cybersecurity experts.
- Document your training and skills
Make a special effort to ensure that your buff up your resume with cybersecurity related work experience. Having the best-looking personal resume is another excellent technique to stand out so you can impress potential employers not just with your credentials but also your soft and hard skills honed on the job.
You’re probably wondering “How do I get my first work experience?”
The good news is that internships are a great place to start. Internships provide an opportunity for you to learn and grow in a safe environment while brushing up your skills.
We’ll be spilling all the juice on cybersecurity internships and how to access them in our upcoming webinar. If you missed it, you can catch up HERE.
