Jobs in cyber security aren’t hard to find. In fact, these jobs are some of the most in-demand positions in the current job market. However, finding an available job and actually getting your foot in the door for an interview are two different things. If you’re looking for cyber security opportunities, there are several components you need to consider before jumping in with both feet on your job search. Here are five great tips to help you land the perfect cyber security positions.

Make Your Plan and Stick With It

The planning phase of your job search is the most involved, since so many moving parts have to come together. Your planning should consist of:

• Knowing what type of cyber security positions you want
• Evaluating the skills you have and comparing them to the skills you need
• Obtaining additional education or certifications as needed
• Building your online reputation
• Networking to ensure you find the job suited for you

The more time you spend planning your job search in-depth, the easier the rest of the process will be.

Master A Specific Skill Set

Many people looking for cyber security contract jobs make the mistake of thinking having a wide variety of minimal experience is better than having extensive experience in a particular technology or skill. Your goal should be to master a specific set of skills that are unique. This will not only make your resume stand out to an employer, but it could give you even more opportunities to choose from since there are so many aspects to cyber security positions.

Start Networking Immediately

It’s never too late to start networking. Even if you’re still in the planning phase, start building your network of cyber security professionals immediately. You can attend events, join LinkedIn groups and seek advice from as many people as you can to get an idea of what may work for you. Cyber security is a big industry, so the more you can learn about it from actual people, the better off you’ll be.

Brush Up Your Resume and Cover Letter

No matter how much experience you have, you’ll never get a job if you can’t put together a solid resume and cover letter. Keywords are critical, which can easily be found in the job description of the position you’re applying for. Incorporate a mix of hard and soft skills to demonstrate your well-roundedness, but also focus on your specific skills to portray yourself as an expert.

Know What You’re Worth and Negotiate

Finally, when applying for cyber security opportunities, you need to know what your value is to a company. Assuming you have the skills, experience and education to land a particular job, do some research on the average salaries to get an idea of what you’re worth. Whether you’re looking for an entry-level position or if you have multiple years of experience, there’s a number you should have in mind and practice your negotiation skills to give yourself a better chance of reaching it.

Anistar Technologies strives to help cyber security professionals land the jobs that are best fitted for them. We work with both companies and individual applicants to ensure there’s not only a match for the specific skill sets desired, but also a cultural match. To learn more about how we can help you land the perfect job in cyber security, contact us today.