How to gain cyber security work experience
Practical, hands-on experience is highly valued in the field of cyber security, but how can you go about gaining it? There are several different paths you can take to put your skills to use and in doing so, make yourself more appealing to potential employers.
The vast majority of roles require previous experience - including some entry-level positions - which can make landing your first cyber security job quite perplexing. As such, learning how to gain cyber security work experience can significantly improve your chances of landing your dream job.
The different ways to gain work experience
Luckily for those hoping to get their first work experience in cyber security, there are several different methods of achieving this. The first step is to hone your technical knowledge, as this will provide a basis to secure a placement.
This means spending time, preferably daily, to familiarise yourself with the various technical aspects of a cyber security role. Look for free training resources and commit to a dedicated learning schedule. Once you’re confident with different areas of cyber security, it’s time to find your first work experience.
Volunteering
Volunteering is a great way to get documented, proven experience for your CV. For those just starting out, it can be a symbiotic relationship - the organisation will benefit from your talents and you’ll gain an opportunity to launch your career.
Personal projects
You will have spent lots of time developing your technical knowledge, but applying it practically by completing personal projects can instil confidence that you’ll succeed in a real-world cyber security environment.
The additional benefit of taking on personal projects is that word can travel fast. You might help a friend repair their computer and they may tell five other people how pleased they are with your service. This referencing could lead to freelance opportunities that will certainly bolster your appeal to potential employers.
Competitions and training courses
The majority of cyber security competitions are completely free to participate in, which means there’s absolutely nothing to lose. These tend to follow a formal structure and are often team-based, offering a fun environment to learn and showcase your skills.
Additionally, you can enter national, or even international, competitions. Just taking part in these tournaments will demonstrate your commitment to cyber security, but if you were to progress, that would add significant accomplishments to your CV.
On top of that, there are plenty of training courses you can undertake to develop your skills. There are lots of opportunities for this online and you will receive a formal qualification upon successful completion, which can be proudly added to your resume to impress employers.
By completing some of these steps, you’ll have set yourself up to launch your career in cyber security. Looking for your first job? Head to CyberSecurityJobsite.com to find your perfect role.
