If you’re interested in pursuing a rewarding career in cybersecurity, you’ve probably heard that the job market is booming. And while this statement is true, it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s easy to enter the field. Competition for top cyber security jobs is fierce, but there are ways for job seekers who are just starting to get noticed and stand out from the crowd.
According to the Cybersecurity Ventures report, there was around a 350% increase in vacant cybersecurity jobs in 2021 compared to 2013. The vacancies increased from 1 million positions in 2013 to 3.5 million vacancies in 2021. The stats reflect the growing demand for cybersecurity professionals every year.
This article lists some of the tips that will help your chances of getting hired. Let’s take a look.
Pursue a Master’s Degree in Cybersecurity
To become a cybersecurity expert, you need to have an advanced degree. Many people with bachelor’s degrees in cybersecurity pursue master’s degrees.
A cybersecurity master’s program offers students valuable technical knowledge and skills for solving complex problems that affect organizations. Hands-on training will teach students about the latest threats and countermeasures in the field. These programs also offer an opportunity for students to gain real-world experience by working on challenging projects or interning with security companies.
Get the Most Out of Your Internship
Your internship is a great opportunity to make valuable connections with people who can help you land a full-time job after your internship ends. During the interview process, employers want to see that you have been actively involved in cybersecurity clubs and organizations on campus or as an extension of your position at work.
In addition, if they see that you’re passionate about cyber security and want to be involved in the community, they will know that it’s something important to them. When interviewing for internships, offer examples of how you have helped improve information security in previous positions. It can include anything from:
- Helping develop policies or procedures around data access management and software patching,
- Providing user training on new applications and systems, and
- Analyzing threats against the company’s network infrastructure according to best practices laid out by industry standards.
Zippia reports that 300,000 students each year pursue internships in the US. At the same time, 70% of these interns get directly hired by the same company they did their internship from. Also, the average pay of interns in the US is around $20.76 per hour. Thus, if you can get an internship while studying, you have a higher chance of getting hired as compared to students who do not undergo any internship.
Network Whenever and Wherever Possible
When it comes to building your network, you can’t be shy. Networking is about building relationships with people in similar positions as you. It’s also a chance for you to learn from their experiences and get advice from those who have been there before.
You should always try to meet new people at conferences, workshops, and meetups hosted by cybersecurity experts or organizations focusing on this field of study. You can also network online through sites like LinkedIn and Facebook, where you can connect with professionals both within your industry and outside of it.
Update Your Resume Often
You need to keep your resume updated, current, relevant, and professional. It is an important part of your job search process.
When writing a resume, you must make it clear and simple so that the potential employer can easily understand what you have done in the past and what you can do for them in the future. In addition, your resume should contain relevant information about yourself and your skills and abilities that relate directly to what they are looking for.
It’s also important to ensure your resume is concise; don’t go overboard on adding unnecessary details about yourself just because they might seem impressive at first glance. Try to be as truthful in your resume as possible. Stats say that 85% of applicants often lie in their resumes, which is shocking. Moreover, this number has increased drastically from 66% in 2012.
Don’t Forget About Online Courses.
If you want to learn new skills, online courses are a great way to do so. Students can take them at their own pace; they are affordable and take up minimal time. It can be an especially good option for those who want to start with a new topic before committing time and money to more formal training.
Take Advantage of Certification Opportunities
One of the best ways to get cybersecurity is by obtaining certifications. It will help you build a strong foundation and prepare for some of the more advanced security programs available. There are many certifications available, but some of the most common include the following:
- CompTIA Security+
- Cisco CCNA Cyber Ops certification
- CISSP certification
Remember That You’re Always Learning Something New
It is the most important tip for beginners and experienced cybersecurity professionals alike. You are always learning something new, whether it’s from books, online courses, or people around you. As a result, you can never stop learning and improving yourself, you will be a better employee, and your company will benefit from that.
To keep up with trends in cybersecurity, make sure to read blogs and journals regularly. Also, take time off from work every week to learn something new, whether taking a class at night school or attending one of many conferences. It’s good for both your personal and professional development because it will help you knowably answer questions when interviewing for jobs down the road.
With the Right Education, One Can Have a Good Career in Cybersecurity.
The field of cybersecurity is growing fast, and it’s rewarding too. However, like any other profession, there are some challenges that you have to face along with this job.
One of the major challenges is that you need to continuously learn and update yourself about new threats or techniques used by hackers to get into your system. It means constant learning and updating your knowledge on new cyber security threats is required for success in this field of work.
It’s not just about education; it’s also about the work you put in after graduation. If you want to get ahead in cybersecurity, don’t be afraid to network and keep up-to-date with industry news. Certain skills can help make your career more prosperous regardless of your background or what type of job you want.
Most importantly, don’t forget about yourself. Sometimes we can get so caught up in our work that we forget how amazing it feels when we learn something new or get recognized for our efforts by others who share similar interests.