10 Traps That Can Derail Your Cybersecurity Job Hunt if You’re Unprepared
It's all about preparation.
If you are actively applying for a job in cybersecurity or thinking of switching in 2025, then this newsletter is definitely for you.
If you have read the previous newsletters, there’s a lot to do in order to hack your way into cybersecurity and one of the most crucial is—preparation.
Breaking into cybersecurity is exciting but challenging.
The field is dynamic, rewarding, and ever-evolving, but for newcomers, navigating the job market can be full of potential pitfalls.
If you’re not adequately prepared, these traps can hinder your journey.
Let’s explore the ten most common traps cybersecurity candidates fall into—and how to avoid them.
These are from collected feedback and experience I had as a hiring manager.
1. Lack of Understanding About the Role
Cybersecurity encompasses various roles—penetration tester, SOC analyst, GRC specialist, cloud security engineer, and more. A generic “I want to work in cybersecurity” won’t be enough. Take time to know what Cybersecurity is all about and why do you want to be part of it. Research is one skill that hackers do, you need to have that embedded within you.
Avoid the Trap:
Research job roles in detail.
Align your skills and interests with a specific area.
Tailor your resume for each job you apply for.
2. Overemphasis on Certifications
Certifications like Security+, BTL1, CISSP, or CEH are valuable, but they don’t guarantee success. Hiring managers seek practical skills and problem-solving abilities, not just paper credentials. They’re good to have on paper but be prepared to showcase or justify how these certifications you have will contribute to the success of the role you are applying for. Don’t be a certificate collector but focus on those important and practical ones to have.
Avoid the Trap:
Pair certifications with hands-on projects, labs, or internships.
Contribute to open-source projects or participate in Capture the Flag (CTF) events.
Highlight how your certifications are helping you in your current role, what improved and what initiatives you have implemented.
Be careful on showcasing too many certifications with redundant contents. Some hiring managers will get the impression that you focused on adding them in your porfolio to look good rather than knowledge.
3. Ignoring Soft Skills
Cybersecurity professionals often need to explain technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders. You will be part of a team and how you communicate with your peers and other teams will greatly affect your entire role. This is not a one-person job. Cybersecurity becomes successful in an organization because of team effort. Poor communication skills can make you less effective in the workplace.
Avoid the Trap:
Practice explaining complex topics in simple terms.
Hone teamwork, presentation, and documentation skills.
Practice internal communication and collaboration.
4. Underestimating Networking
Relying solely on job boards to find openings is a missed opportunity. Many cybersecurity roles are filled through referrals or professional networks. You have to put yourself out there and be part of the industry.
Avoid the Trap:
Attend conferences, webinars, and local meetups.
Build a strong LinkedIn presence and engage with industry leaders.
5. Being Unprepared for Behavioral Questions
Technical experties isn’t the only aspect of an interview. Behavioral questions assess your decision-making, teamwork, and response to challenges. Most hiring managers are not really looking for the correct answers during an interview but rather how you answer questions. The questions might sound ridiculous at most time, maybe that’s a sign that they’re not after with you answering it correctly but wanted to see how you demonstrate critical thinking, being a team player, and being resourceful.
Avoid the Trap:
Prepare STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) stories for scenarios like resolving conflicts or learning from failure.
Prepare to answer complex situations you have encountered at your current role and how you resolve it.
Read the job description carefully. Some of the things you need to know are already there.
6. Inadequate Hands-On Experience
Hiring managers value candidates who can demonstrate practical skills, but a lack of real-world experience can hurt your chances. This is related to #1 where you need to understand the role you are applying for. Get a good understanding of the company you are applying, how they are positioned in the market, and what might be the reason of hiring. Some of the details are shown in the job description as well.
Avoid the Trap:
Build a home lab to practice tools like Wireshark, Splunk, or Kali Linux.
Volunteer to help secure local businesses or nonprofits.
7. Not Staying Updated on Current Threats
Cybersecurity evolves rapidly, and employers expect candidates to know the latest trends, attacks, and defenses. You don’t have to know every latest trends that are happening but at least show that you have idea what’s happening in the industry that you are applying for.
Avoid the Trap:
Follow cybersecurity news from trusted sources like The Hacker News, Hackread or Dark Reading.
Stay active on forums like Reddit’s r/cybersecurity or join professional groups.
8. Overlooking Transferable Skills
If you’re transitioning from another field, you might think your previous experience isn’t relevant—but that’s rarely true. Everything that you learned from your current role or industry, you bring them all with you. The question is, which one of those experience or skill would be helpful to the job.
Avoid the Trap:
Highlight skills like critical thinking, risk management, or compliance knowledge.
Draw parallels between your previous job and cybersecurity challenges.
9. Failing to Demonstrate Passion
Cybersecurity is not just a 9-to-5 job. It often requires dedication and a genuine passion for problem-solving. If you are really passionate about this role, it will show during the interview. Cybersecurity is a lifestyle.
Avoid the Trap:
Showcase your curiosity by discussing books you’ve read, projects you’ve completed, or communities you’ve joined.
Create content, such as blog posts or videos, to share your learning journey.
10. Weak Online Presence
Your digital footprint matters. A well-crafted LinkedIn profile and GitHub account can set you apart, while questionable social media content can raise red flags. Nowadays, most recruiters check LinkedIn profile since it is the easiest way to validate your skills and employment if it matches your resume. Aside from that, they can also see some interesting things about you so prepare for it when applying for a job.
Avoid the Trap:
Optimize your LinkedIn with a professional photo, clear summary, and relevant skills.
Share industry insights or articles to show your engagement with the field.
Final Thoughts
Avoiding these traps requires preparation, focus, and a proactive approach.
Remember, cybersecurity is a journey, not a destination.
Equip yourself with the right tools, stay curious, and keep pushing boundaries.
With diligence and determination, you can secure the role you’ve been dreaming of.
Are you ready to take your first steps into the cyber world?
Let us know your challenges in the comments below!
LET’S BUILD TOGETHER
Your feedback and questions will be invaluable in shaping this newsletter.
If there’s a topic you’re curious about, let me know.
I want this space to be as collaborative as possible, so please feel free to reply and share what’s on your mind.
I’m here to help you grow, learn, and succeed in the world of cybersecurity.
Thank you for joining me on this journey.
Here’s to learning, sharing, and making an impact together!
With you on this cyber path,
Jeff