Career Outlook CAREER GUIDE
social networks give job seekers unique opportunities that might not otherwise not be accessible. STEM professionals often find a lot to gain by using online social media tools to help assist with career management. Connecting with and getting introduced to others in the cyber security industry is a valuable investment of time.
Resume Tips
A resume by itself won’t land a job, however it is the first step to getting invited for a job interview. Important items to feature in a resume geared toward jobs in cyber security should include education, experience—both knowledge and hands-on—and list any certifications attained. When applying for security positions, Greatsamplere-
sumes.com emphasizes the importance of presentation, and for security jobs, recommends adding a short summary to the top of a resume briefly outlining how acquired experience, training, and education has been applied in previ- ously held positions.
It is not uncommon for some employ- ers to request specific instructions for resumes, and like any other directive when applying for a job, it is essen- tial to precisely follow any requests.
IntelligenceCareers.com suggests a chronological resume and to include all post-high school education and train- ing. Additionally, any security clearances obtained should be listed, most specifi- cally for jobs where one is required.
Security Clearances
Obtaining a security clearance is often a prerequisite for many security jobs. Many of today’s top jobs, especially for those who either work directly for the government or are hired by a company contracted by the government, require a confidential, secret or top-secret clear- ance. Applicants cannot apply to obtain their own security clearance, as sponsor- ship is the only way to receive one. In some cases, an employer might be will-
www.hispanicengineer.com ing to sponsor the right candidate.
Since many of the top cyber security jobs will require a clearance, this is an important consideration to think about when beginning a job search. Network- ing with other individuals already in the industry may help this process. Pursuing a nonclassified position in the industry can also be a good starting point. An agency might be more willing to spon- sor a candidate who has demonstrated the right attributes and proven herself as willing and able to handle the respon- sibilities that come with information security; these will be important quali- ties considered prior to the required investigative background checks being done.
Govcentral on Monster. com warns of scams linked to obtaining security clear-
ances. They suggest that everyone steer away from recruiting firms, attorneys or other companies that promise to “pre-approve” individuals for a security clearance in exchange for a fee. Legiti- mate security clearances are obtained through proper channels, which involve the employer looking to hire a candidate for the clearance position.
Interviewing Tips During interviews it is important to be forthright when answering ques- tions. An employer considering a hire is likely going to be conducting a thor- ough investigation, and not disclosing requested information can result in los- ing a potential opportunity.
Tips to consider in preparation for an interview is to become familiar with the company and get an understanding of the business’s primary industry focus. Another suggestion is to try and identify areas of information security where the
organization is lacking and/or if any se- curity deficiencies are present. Lee Kush- ner and Mike Murray, in their article on
SearchSecurity.com, suggest, “Figuring out why the employer is hiring prior to the interview can enable a job candidate to demonstrate experiences in the areas most relevant to the employer.” Show- ing expertise and knowledge that may provide solutions to employer problems is likely to be attractive to the employer.
During the job-hunting process, a good practice is to watch trends in the industry and keep up to date; this knowledge attained over time can prove to be invaluable during a job interview. Being current often helps to develop problem-solving skills in accordance to what’s current in technology and security threats. Also try to get a feel about what the potential employer is looking for in terms of a qualified job candidate that extends beyond the
job description; being passionate about cyber security may make the difference in being hired.
As with other job positions, solid preparation for the interview is vital, and engaging in ongoing learning in order to remain abreast on industry happen- ings can strengthen an ability to answer interview questions. Security threats continue to become more sophisticated; being able to demonstrate current knowledge is a valuable asset to possess.
Cyber security is a field in which a high demand of innovation and ingenuity will be necessary in order to progress. Diversity of knowledge and experience fosters new innovation and growth, and as this field grows, many talented individuals are likely to find terrific cyber security career opportunities.
HISPANIC ENGINEER & Information Technology | 2011
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