CYBERSECURITY JOB HUNTING GUIDE
Work in a different country
Author: Stefan Waldvogel
Do you want to work remotely or local in a different country?
This small guide will give you some ideas so that you can start your journey. I am in the US; therefore, I will discuss that in detail, but the general idea works for most countries.
-> I do not talk in detail. Therefore you have to research much more about this topic.
Every week, I get a ton of messages like:
Hey, can you give me a job in Cybersecurity?
Some things you need to know:
-> I do not talk in detail. Therefore you have to research much more about this topic.
Every week, I get a ton of messages like:
Hey, can you give me a job in Cybersecurity?
Some things you need to know:
Most writers are in India, and many are frustrated. They ask dozens or hundreds of people and try to get their first remote job but never get a YES. If you read this article, you will understand that all of those people want something impossible.
Let us have a look at this short story:
Let us have a look at this short story:
If you are one of those who sends messages to people in the US, UK, or somewhere else, you are like a tourist. You want a finished fried mammal egg, but the waiter knows immediately that he does not have the wanted product.
Most waiters do not even know that some mammals lay eggs like the PLATYPUS.
The paperwork
If you want to work for a US company, you have to understand what an I-9 is.
Most waiters do not even know that some mammals lay eggs like the PLATYPUS.
The paperwork
If you want to work for a US company, you have to understand what an I-9 is.
You see, if you want a job, you MUST submit this paper and give the correct answers. To get a job, you have to fulfill requirements. This task is YOUR job alone. Nobody does this job for you.
If you send a message, you do not fulfill the requirements; therefore, you cannot get a job.
Let us have a look at some laws:
If you send a message, you do not fulfill the requirements; therefore, you cannot get a job.
Let us have a look at some laws:
Each country is different, but the most challenging countries are: the US, UK, and Australia. Each country has a different path to work in this country. Germany, you probably never thought about it, has over 20 ways to get a resident permit. You have a Master's degree, and you cannot get into the US... why not try something else?
-> You have to know a lot to reach your dream. Nobody likes this kind of paperwork, but you have to do it.
Let us talk about the next important thing, the time:
-> You have to know a lot to reach your dream. Nobody likes this kind of paperwork, but you have to do it.
Let us talk about the next important thing, the time:
The easiest way to work in a foreign country is to marry a citizen of your target country. Right now, due to Covid, even the shortest path to a work permit can take 12 to 36 months. In the US, USCIS offices have very different process times, and some are quick with maybe some weeks to 7 months for a single step, other need 24 months.
Family-based visas are the visa with the highest priority. Everything else takes more time.
A path for highly qualified people is the H-1B visa. Here you have to find a sponsor (company), and the sponsor files the paperwork for you. This path works if your knowledge is superior and no US citizen can do this job. --> Pretty challenging to get.
An easier way is the way via a student visa, but there are a ton of different options:
Family-based visas are the visa with the highest priority. Everything else takes more time.
A path for highly qualified people is the H-1B visa. Here you have to find a sponsor (company), and the sponsor files the paperwork for you. This path works if your knowledge is superior and no US citizen can do this job. --> Pretty challenging to get.
An easier way is the way via a student visa, but there are a ton of different options:
Do you not like such confusing pictures? Nobody does, but you have to know a bit of them.
Many international students get an F-1 visa and finish their degree in the US. After getting a degree, there is a 90-day window to get a job in the US.
Many international students get an F-1 visa and finish their degree in the US. After getting a degree, there is a 90-day window to get a job in the US.
The path looks a bit complicated, but it takes a long time, and you can do it step by step. What are the drawbacks of this path:
Here a company wants to bring you on board because you have unique and needed skills. The easiest way to get it is:
You work for a big local company with a branch in the US.
If you are outstanding, you can move to the US.
- You need a SEVP university, and these universities are expensive.
- You can work during this time, but very limited. You cannot take any job, and you have to take university jobs, which are not easy to get.
- You do not have a guarantee that you can find a job after three years in 90 days. If you cannot find a job, you have to leave the US. Getting a job is not that easy, because to employ you, the employer needs to do extra work. -> An employer might do it if you study something precious.
Here a company wants to bring you on board because you have unique and needed skills. The easiest way to get it is:
You work for a big local company with a branch in the US.
If you are outstanding, you can move to the US.
What if, if you cannot work for those companies?
Some US companies offer contract work. Many times these are bug bounty programs, but other companies do this, too. This path is the easiest way to get US Dollars, but you have to find these hidden gems. Most companies do not do this!
You have to be very active on Twitter, YouTube, or at other visible places. Show your content or join some Discords with recruiters in them. The point is, you have to be visible in a very positive and active way. Show your skills and help others.
-> If you send a message -> Please, can you give me a job? That does not work because so many do it. This path might take months or even years.
What is with Cybersecurity?
Can you work in the US and get the big bucks with a remote cybersecurity job?
The reality is: Doubtful, look at the data:
Some US companies offer contract work. Many times these are bug bounty programs, but other companies do this, too. This path is the easiest way to get US Dollars, but you have to find these hidden gems. Most companies do not do this!
You have to be very active on Twitter, YouTube, or at other visible places. Show your content or join some Discords with recruiters in them. The point is, you have to be visible in a very positive and active way. Show your skills and help others.
-> If you send a message -> Please, can you give me a job? That does not work because so many do it. This path might take months or even years.
What is with Cybersecurity?
Can you work in the US and get the big bucks with a remote cybersecurity job?
The reality is: Doubtful, look at the data:
Every year, USCIS publishes the data for different visa types. For example, for H-1B and the last period, USCIS issued about 388,000 visas (www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/reports/Characteristics_of_Specialty_Occupation_Workers_H-1B_Fiscal_Year_2019.pdf), but only about 200 are Cybersecurity related. That is less than 0.1%.
The reason is simple: Cybersecurity is about trust. Therefore, hiring a foreigner is a high risk.
If you want to work in the US as a foreigner, DO NOT study Cybersecurity. If you apply for an F-1 and you are looking later for a Cybersecurity role during your 90 days, that is nearly impossible to get. I arrived in the US over two years ago, and I will get a job, but it took me these two years, and I am very visible on LinkedIn with over 13,000 followers.
You have a very high success rate if you study Software Engineering or something related to that. Therefore, this is in high demand, and your citizenship does not matter.
The link for good jobs is this: www.immihelp.com/h1b-visa-top-sponsors-2021-by-job-title/
Really... if you do not want to waste time and money... you need to understand what a company needs. Look at the immigration and official visa papers. Do not trust ads! Most education providers want your money.
If you study Cybersecurity for $50,000 in the US, it is pretty much a waste of money.
If you have a dream, work for it.
I have immigrated to the US, it was a ton of paperwork, and it took nearly a year. However, I knew everything about my path, and you have to learn the same things.
Sure, you can pay a lawyer, but that is not necessary.
Conclusion
If you want to move into a new country, you have to work hard for it. Know all your options! There isn't a shortcut. You need persistence, time, and a clear path to success.
Plan this journey carefully... if you make a single mistake during your paperwork phase, that could be the end. Study the details and the path you want to go.
Please, do not write messages like:
Can you give me a job?
--> It is waste of your time and probably if you get a positive feedback... it is a scam.
The reason is simple: Cybersecurity is about trust. Therefore, hiring a foreigner is a high risk.
If you want to work in the US as a foreigner, DO NOT study Cybersecurity. If you apply for an F-1 and you are looking later for a Cybersecurity role during your 90 days, that is nearly impossible to get. I arrived in the US over two years ago, and I will get a job, but it took me these two years, and I am very visible on LinkedIn with over 13,000 followers.
You have a very high success rate if you study Software Engineering or something related to that. Therefore, this is in high demand, and your citizenship does not matter.
The link for good jobs is this: www.immihelp.com/h1b-visa-top-sponsors-2021-by-job-title/
Really... if you do not want to waste time and money... you need to understand what a company needs. Look at the immigration and official visa papers. Do not trust ads! Most education providers want your money.
If you study Cybersecurity for $50,000 in the US, it is pretty much a waste of money.
If you have a dream, work for it.
I have immigrated to the US, it was a ton of paperwork, and it took nearly a year. However, I knew everything about my path, and you have to learn the same things.
Sure, you can pay a lawyer, but that is not necessary.
Conclusion
If you want to move into a new country, you have to work hard for it. Know all your options! There isn't a shortcut. You need persistence, time, and a clear path to success.
Plan this journey carefully... if you make a single mistake during your paperwork phase, that could be the end. Study the details and the path you want to go.
Please, do not write messages like:
Can you give me a job?
--> It is waste of your time and probably if you get a positive feedback... it is a scam.
© 2021. This work is licensed under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license