Job search strategy
This section is designed to help students plan and organize their job search and career development activities
Learning objectives
Identify your target job role, industry, and companies
Analyze your skill gap for the role
Create a skill development plan
Tailor and optimize your CV for the role
Become familiar with the job interview process
When a recruiter has limited time with a decision-maker, they may only highlight one or two resumes—you want yours to be one of them. Below are steps to help you stand out.
Topics covered in this section
Identify your target job role
Identify your target companies
Identify your skill gap
Create a skill bridge plan
Resume optimization
Networking and outreach
Conduct informational interviews
Job interview preparation
Breaking into infosec (newcomers)
Identify your target job role
Determine the income range acceptable for you.
Identify the job role (job title) that matches your skills, interests, and income requirements.
Consider at least 3 job roles. Fill in the following table with the qualifications required for each role and note any gaps between your current skills and the job requirements.
Job role selection grid (example):
Job title
Skills/qualifications required
Skills you have
Skills you need
Network Administrator
IP connectivity, IP services, CCNA, Linux
Linux, Cisco IOS CLI
IP connectivity, IP services, CCNA
Incident Responder
OS (Linux, Windows, Mac), Packet analysis, SIEM tools, CompTIA Security+
Windows, Mac, Wireshark
Linux, SIEM tools, CompTIA Security+
Penetration Tester
IT networking, Kali Linux, CEH (EC-Council)
IT networking
Kali Linux, CEH (EC-Council)
Start researching the role's skill/knowledge/credential requirements ASAP.
Consider how much time you'll need to bridge the skill gap (three months? Six months? Three years?)
Identify your target companies
Job applications: Directly (Cisco, Huawei, Apple, etc.) and indirectly (recruiters, job boards, job sites, etc.).
Compile a list of 20+ target companies hiring for your desired job role.
Identify the skills/qualifications expected at these companies for the job role.
Gather background information about the companies - history, culture, projects, products/services, etc.
Create a "wishlist" spreadsheet/an inventory of target companies (e.g., Company Name, Mission/Vision, Projects, Products/Services, Revenue, Employee Count, Competitors, Headquarter Location, Subsidiaries, etc.).
Use resources such as Huntr.co to organize your job search activities and findings.
Use LLMs/AI chatbots such as ChatGPT, Gemini, DeepSeek, etc. to research company information.
Identify your skill gap
Use the list of 20+ companies to identify the expected skills for the target job role.
Research recent job ads (20+ job descriptions) for the role and extract main skills expected for the role.
Conduct a gap analysis: Identify your skill gap (skills, experience, and certifications).
Skill gap analysis table (example):
Skill/certification
Required for role
Current level
Gap/notes
Active Directory (AD) on Windows Server
Powershell, IAM - database and service, DNS server, DHCP server, group policy
Asset
Missing
Need hands on training setting up AD
Windows Server 2000 and later includes Active Directory
Backup and disaster recovery
Yes
Missing
Need hands on training in backup and disaster recovery
Network availability monitoring - NMS
Yes
Missing
Need hands on training - Nagios / OpenNMS
Network performance monitoring - NMS
Yes
Missing
Need hands on training - MRTG (SNMP based) / CiscoWorks
Create a skill bridge plan
Create an action plan to address the skill gap.
Set SMART goals (example):
Specific: Complete Udemy course: Mastering Active Directory: Administration and Fundamentals.
Measurable: Study 5 hours/week and set up a test environment.
Achievable: Udemy's course is for beginners and is highly rated.
Relevant: Required for target role.
Time-bound: Achieve proficiency within 2 months.
Plan in terms of weeks, months, and years.
Consider courses, hands on projects, industry certifications, seminars, etc.
A three-month action plan (example):
Skill
Timeline
Resources*
Tasks**
Active Directory (AD) on Windows Server
Mar. 3 - Mar. 9
Complete Udemy course: Mastering Active Directory: Administration and Fundamentals
Backup and disaster recovery
Mar. 10 - Mar. 23
Mar. 24 - Apr. 4
Build a Linux (Ubuntu) encrypted backup and recovery server
Network availability monitoring - NMS
Deploy Nagios for Linux-based (Ubuntu/Debian) network monitoring
Network performance monitoring - NMS
See training resources sheet
Deploy MRTG (SNMP based) on a small Linux (Ubuntu/Debian) network
*Resources: Create a detailed training resources sheet.
**Tasks: Courses, hands on projects, industry certifications, seminars, etc.
Resume optimization
Tailor your resume to the target role.
Tailor your applications to the target position and target company.
Optimize your resume for ATS (use resources like Huntr.co).
Keep the professional summary brief (1–3 lines).
Submit as a Word document (not PDF) for recruiter edits.
Use simple formatting—avoid complex columns/fonts.
Limit length to 2–3 pages, even with extensive experience.
Roles older than 10 years need only basic details (company, title, dates), or drop.
ATS compliant resume example:
Networking and outreach
Update and tailor your LinkedIn profile (maybe also your X/Twitter profile).
Create Glassdoor and Indeed profiles.
Grow your connections (e.g., seven new industry professionals/week from your target companies/industry).
Build professional connections (connect, comment, message, etc. industry professionals).
Schedule informational interviews with connections for information about the job role, industry trends, and opportunities.
Participate in webinars, virtual meetups, or networking events to learn about job role requirements and career opportunities.
Conduct informational interviews
Reach out to professionals in your target industry/companies for informational interviews using social media/job hunting platforms (Glassdoor, LinkedIn, Twitter/X, etc.).
Gain valuable insights into company culture, job requirements, industry trends, organizational structure, etc.
Use informational interviews to identify any gaps in your resume, skills, or certifications.
Job interview preparation
Build a story toolbox:
People remember stories more than facts.
Use the STAR method to help structure your stories (where there's "action" or accomplishments to communicate):
S - Situation: Describe the context or problem.
T - Task: Explain your responsibility or role.
A - Action: Detail the actions you took to solve the problem.
R - Result: Explain the outcome/impact you made.
Prepare at least two stories demonstrating problem-solving skills, interpersonal skills, handling/learning from conflicts and mistakes.
Prepare (and practice) responses to common and expected interview questions.
Practice mock interviews with friends/acquaintances/career coach/yourself.
Demonstrate cultural/organizational fit (alignment of values, mutual gains).
Demonstrate your ability to get the job done and add value/make a difference.
For skills you don't have yet:
Emphasize and give examples of your fast learning capabilities.
Give examples of similar skills/experiences.
Ask probing/follow-up questions (tailor your responses to their concerns).
Make a strong first impression:
First impressions form in a fraction of a second and can be lasting, so present yourself confidently.
Non-verbal communication (body language, tone, posture) plays a huge role—perhaps some 90% of communication is non-verbal.
Common interview questions:
Breaking into infosec (newcomers)
Consider:
Within an organization, transferring to a security role.
Seeking mentorship from infosec professionals.
Gaining experience through volunteer work or internships.
Attending industry conferences (e.g., BSides) and local meetups (ISSA, OWASP, etc.).
Completing courses and hands on projects, and obtaining industry certifications.
Finding a reputable external recruiter.
Key takeaways
Start your IT and cybersecurity career by selecting a job role.
Research the industry skills for the role and create a skill development plan.
Tailor your resume for the target role.
Start building a professional network ASAP.
References
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