CYBERSECURITY JOB HUNTING GUIDE
Author: Stefan Waldvogel
Editor: Jonathan Disla
Editor: Jonathan Disla
Maybe you saw my numbers, the bricks, and you are totally shocked. Do I really need so much time to get a job? The answer is: No and ….. (maybe yes, if you target a difficult position)!
I studied so much because I had the feeling I did not know enough. The reason is the Dunning Kruger effect, and it looks like this:
I studied so much because I had the feeling I did not know enough. The reason is the Dunning Kruger effect, and it looks like this:
If you go into Cybersecurity, know this curve, because it explains a lot how you feel. At the beginning you feel cool and it is a lot of fun. I did a CEH class, and it opened my eyes… I hacked my first box and this was cool.
Later, I did eCPPT (a penetration testing certification) and I got smashed to the ground. I realized how little my knowledge actually is.
Now, it feels somewhat better, but not much. Many people start with a lot of enthusiasm but they quit, because they think they are worthless, everyone knows more and think they will never get a job. If you do not quit, you will gain knowledge and one day it will feel better. Do not give up!
A lot of people in Cybersecurity deal with imposter syndrome. You want a proof: My matching post on LinkedIn had over 50,000 views.
One piece of advice:
Do not go down this path alone! If you want to reach the goal, do it together with a friend. Find someone with the same mindset, the same free time and the same goals and walk through the desert with them. I had the hardest time together with a friend and without him… I do not think I had a chance. This friend pushed me a lot and protected my mental health, because even though it was incredibly hard, we had a lot of fun together.
If you are still reading, congratulations. Let’s move on to the sunnier side.
Later, I did eCPPT (a penetration testing certification) and I got smashed to the ground. I realized how little my knowledge actually is.
Now, it feels somewhat better, but not much. Many people start with a lot of enthusiasm but they quit, because they think they are worthless, everyone knows more and think they will never get a job. If you do not quit, you will gain knowledge and one day it will feel better. Do not give up!
A lot of people in Cybersecurity deal with imposter syndrome. You want a proof: My matching post on LinkedIn had over 50,000 views.
One piece of advice:
Do not go down this path alone! If you want to reach the goal, do it together with a friend. Find someone with the same mindset, the same free time and the same goals and walk through the desert with them. I had the hardest time together with a friend and without him… I do not think I had a chance. This friend pushed me a lot and protected my mental health, because even though it was incredibly hard, we had a lot of fun together.
If you are still reading, congratulations. Let’s move on to the sunnier side.
© 2021. This work is licensed under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license