Page 114 - Cyber Defense eMagazine June 2020 Edition

You lack skills in a key area

Or here’s another problem you might have. You know a lot about cyber security but the position you’re
applying for requires that you also understand and have skills using machine learning, for example – a
hot new trend. You haven’t had time to learn about it because your current job eats up 80-100 hours a
week of your time.

With this technology industry changing so fast, and the demands of your current job so all-encompassing,
you haven’t had time to keep get your head around what machine learning is all about or how to get
caught up in your free time.

You don’t know what certifications to get

Or you have a related problem. You need web application security knowledge to land a dream job, but
you don’t know what certification to get that employers will want before hiring you.

Some employers want you to take one type of certification course and another specifies that you pass
another course. Which one do you take? And which job do you want more? It’s all complicated and
uncertain, a crapshoot.

You believe employers will come after you

Or you may have more fundamental obstacles to overcome. You believe you can send out your resume
and employers will come chasing you because there’s a shortage of cyber security professionals. You’re
a hot commodity. They’ll come chasing you.

All you have to do is make them aware you’re looking around. But you find out that’s not nearly enough
effort and unrealistic. You have to do much more. Even when demand for your skills is intense.

You have LinkedIn fatigue

Or you find that every day you get at least five messages on LinkedIn from employers wanting to know if
you’re interested in a new cyber security position. But the notices are poorly targeted for positions far
below your experience level.

Worn out by “LinkedIn fatigue,” you stop going to that page in your job hunt because so much of the
information wastes your time. But that’s where so many opportunities for you await. It’s a conundrum.

How to overcome these obstacles

There are several actions you take to overcome these hurdles. One of the most important is to stay
current and keep your skills relevant and fine-tuned in the cyber security market.

Cyber Defense eMagazine –June 2020 Edition 114
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