Here's How to Stand Out in a Competitive Job Market

Let’s be real - job hunting in cybersecurity can feel like a full-time job (minus the paycheck).

You spend hours tweaking your resume, rewriting cover letters, and filling out the same application forms over and over. 

And after all that? Silence. No callbacks. No interviews. Just a whole lot of "Thanks, but no thanks" emails - if you even get those.

Meanwhile, you know companies are hiring. You see the job posts. So why does it feel impossible to break through?

Here’s why:

🚨 Ghost jobs everywhere - Tons of listings aren’t even real.
🚨 You’re playing a numbers game - Thousands of applicants for the same role.
🚨 It’s painfully slow - Each app takes 10-15 minutes, and you need to send out hundreds just to get a few bites.

So, how do you get noticed in this competitive job market?

First, learn the right skills. Here's where to start:

1. Mastering SIEM Basics

Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) tools let you monitor security events in real-time and act as your first line of defense:

• Detect Suspicious Activity

• Investigate Alerts Quickly

• Generate Security Reports

As one of the top skills for SOC analysts and blue team, knowing this skill is going to make the biggest difference when you start applying to jobs.

2. Building Command Line Confidence with Linux

No need to be intimidated by the command line.

Just learning the essential Linux commands can help you navigate systems confidently, manage files securely, and troubleshoot issues.

Once you're comfortable with these, you’ll be able to build your own home lab and even participate in CTF challenges. 

3. Recognizing & Mitigating Common Threats

Real-world cybersecurity isn't just about technology,

It's about understanding and responding to threats.

By learning how to identify common vulnerabilities, you'll know exactly what to look for and how to secure systems effectively.

And if you’re wondering, will AI replace cybersecurity professionals? Here’s my answer in my latest YouTube video: Will AI Replace Cybersecurity Analysts?

So, what’s the next move?

1. Avoid big job boards and apply on more niche platforms like BuiltIn, Massive, Tapped, etc.

2. You can also use AI tools to help you automatically apply to jobs. There are even tools out there that will tweak your resume to each application you send out.

3. Try to get referrals for jobs you apply to if you have connections and always make time for in-person hiring events like conferences and B-sides.

Best of luck to anyone currently in the job market. You got this!

– Sandra