Cyber Security Job Hunt Stories

In this article I want to share with you two stories about job hunt in cyber security world, one is a story of success and another one is a slight rant of job hunt that go south and cause stress, i’ve gather those stories from 2 ex-colleagues now friends that try to find their spot in the cyber security world.

Overcoming Job Market Challenges

Context
In today’s competitive job market, many individuals struggle to secure positions in the cybersecurity field. Faced with limited growth opportunities at my current job, here we’ve made the bold decision to pursue a new role that aligned better with personal career aspirations.

Challenge
The challenge was not only finding a position that offered significant career advancement but also ensuring it came with a salary that reflected high level of skills and experience. There are specific criteria in mind: a cybersecurity or Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) role with a compensation package exceeding $100,000, direct hire status, good benefits, and an opportunity with an established company.

Climax/Solution
there is a big challenge systematically. In the first week, we’ve updated my friend resume and launched a focused job search, submitting approximately 100 applications for remote roles in cybersecurity and GRC. The second week yielded two interview requests from recruiting agencies, but both were for contract-to-hire positions, which my friend declined. tired but still motivated, we’ve submitted another 50 applications.

By the third week, the persistence paid off with two interview requests for roles that met all my requirements. After successfully completing an interview, we received the inviation for a second-round interview in the fourth week. Just a day later, we also received an offer letter, which my friend happily accepted. We ended up submitting two-week notice at the current job and began the onboarding process for the new position.

Navigating the Job Search Struggles

Context
I’m at my friend’s breaking point. After applying to over 500 jobs in the last ten months, all they received are rejections. The stress and anxiety have become overwhelming, and my friend mood has plummeted. he lost his job last November and have been tirelessly searching for a new one ever since. I’ve tried everything possible—networking on LinkedIn, applying for jobs nationwide, and seeking referrals—but to no avail. So far, I’ve only secured two interviews this entire year, and it makes you feeling completely lost.

Challenge
To provide some context, My friend moved to the U.S. a few years ago to pursue their master’s degree in computer science. He started working for a small company on a student visa, but he despised the experience. It was so toxic that he began doubting his own abilities (impostor syndrome). Amid this turmoil, on top of that, he faced visa challenges, ultimately being laid off because his company didn’t want to manage my visa issues. Though his Optional Practical Training (OPT) was eventually approved, he ended up without a job. For foreign students in the U.S., the job search is incredibly restrictive; you must find a position within your field of study.

This year, he applied for a work visa and was fortunate enough to be selected in the H1B lottery, which is currently being processed. If everything goes well, he should have it by October. However, the stress of finding a job that will sponsor my visa has been relentless. Many companies require security clearance, which further complicates my search. While there are opportunities that don’t require clearance, it’s still difficult to find a company willing to sponsor his visa and not impose additional barriers. Each time he find a promising lead, he face yet another rejection.

Climax/Solution
At this point, he’s questioning a lot of his own worth. he even had his entire resume reviewed multiple times, and while others say it looks good, he can’t shake the feeling that something is wrong. People around my friend keep saying it’s the market, but it’s hard to believe when the rejections keep piling up. it just feels frustrating not even getting the chance to speak to anyone. at one point he reached out to countless people on LinkedIn, but responses are rare. Why is it so difficult just to have a conversation?

In an attempt to cope, he decided to take on therapy to help manage him with the stress and anxiety, but he knew it will take time. His social anxiety has escalated to the point where he avoid going out. Every time he step outside, he feel the pressure of spending money, which only adds to his stress. Conversations with friends often revolve around my job search, and while they mean well, it’s exhausting to hear constant suggestions when that repeat themself and already tried everything they recommend. he also feel like he’s not doing enough if he don’t apply for jobs daily, yet that pressure only fuels the burnout feeling and don’t yield any results.

It’s can be an incredible task to take on yourself a job hunt, in fact in many cases a job hunt for itself can be a difficult as much as the interview process and the entire journey is a full time (unpaid) job that we must taken upon ourself. This is why it’s important to respect people time, for both sides, employers and candidates, and try to make the best out of difficult situation.