Did you know that a job advertisement is a request for interest? Did you also know that the potential employer has specific things they are looking for in an ideal candidate?  As a new entrant in the cyber industry, how can you confidently satisfy these requirements?  Over the weekend, I hosted a webinar where I invited my friend Priscilla Amofa, a human resource executive to educate attendees on the best ways to approach entry level cybersecurity jobs.  Below are three best practices I put together  from what turned out to be a deeply insightful experience for the benefit of my reading audience.

Recognize what the potential employer is looking for

Am I the right fit for this job? How closely do I match the ideal candidate? To answer these questions, you need to understand the core requirements of the jobs. These are usually listed in the introduction, core duties, qualifications and required sections of the job description. The good news is you are not expected to tick 100% of the core requirements boxes as this is impossible most of the time.

However, you have a good chance of getting short listed if you tick 60% to 70% of them.  If there are any preferred requirements listed on the job description, make sure to research on it as well. This strategy will boost your confidence in the overall knowledge of the job. It also presents you as a wholesome candidate when invited to interview for the job.

Avoid using the same resume when applying for jobs

Now this is a common mistake we all make and its time to put an end to it. One size does not fit all especially in cybersecurity. The industry is quite broad and there are all kinds of entry level cybersecurity jobs. Requirements for an information security analyst is quite different from that of a penetration tester or a security operations analyst role. Instead of spraying the same resume on all types of job requirements, it is better to have two or three resumes tailored to different job categories. This greatly increases your chances of ticking as many core requirement boxes as  possible. It also gives  you the best chance of proceeding to the  next step of the selection process.

Leverage all your experiences

Demonstrating years of experience can be a source of worry for many entry level job applicants. That need not be the case. Whether you are a fresh graduate, career changer or in the early stages of your cyber career, you have some level of skill to bring on board. Think Carefully about how you can effectively express skills gained from lab environments, internships, volunteering and research opportunities.

Put your best foot forward

These are just a few tips that will help ease the job application process. I hope this insight builds your confidence and capacity when applying for entry level cybersecurity jobs. Additionally, it will be beneficial to attend industry events and network your way to your first cybersecurity role.

I would love to know how this has impacted your job search. Leave your comments below and as always, be cyber safe, stay healthy and never give up.