Get Noticed: 5 Cybersecurity Job Hunt Tips

If you’ve already set your heart on your chosen career path, you might understand that getting noticed by the right employer isn’t always straightforward. 

When we speak with OffSec learners, many will say that getting the first job is the hardest part. Some candidates will spend 6–12 months job-hunting, applying to hundreds of roles with little success. While others mention getting interviews only after acquiring OSCP-style certifications.

Whether you’re a recent graduate, transitioning into infosec, or climbing the ladder, standing out from the crowd takes more than just technical skill. But the great news is: roles become more accessible as you build experience, network, and specialization! You just need the initial visibility, credibility, and a way to connect with the right people.

So if you’re ready to turn your hard work into career momentum, here’s how to get discovered by cybersecurity employers, starting right now!

Before anyone can discover you, they need proof of your skills through theory and demonstration. At OffSec, we’ve built a reputation on real-world, hands-on training because we know it’s what employers value most.

If you’re already on a path like the OSCP+, OSWA, OSEP, or any of the OffSec certifications, you’re not just gaining knowledge. You’re building a track record of offensive security expertise that employers are searching for. The practical exam format in OffSec courses gives employers confidence that you can solve complex problems under pressure.

Also, you may even find that many roles require an OffSec certification as a minimum requirement before applying!

💡 Pro tip: Keep a journal or portfolio of your learning and projects. Whether it’s lab reports, red team simulations, or bug bounty wins, make your story easy to share.

OffSec’s Talent Finder is our dedicated platform that connects learners, like you, with hiring managers looking for exactly your kind of expertise. 

Talent Finder is more than a job board. It’s a curated talent network built around skills, not keywords. Once you set up your Talent Finder profile and publish, hiring managers will be able to search for you, even filtering by the OffSec certifications you hold!

Even without an OffSec certification, you can still join Talent Finder. All learners in the OffSec learning platform (OLP) can set up a public job seeker profile.

Here’s why Talent Finder gives you an edge:

• You’re matched with employers actively seeking OffSec-certified professionals
• Your skills are front and center, mapped directly to the certifications and competencies you’ve earned
• You’re not just uploading a résumé; you’re plugging into a hiring pipeline where OffSec is already trusted

To get discovered, make sure you:

1. Log in to your OffSec Learning Platform account.
2. Navigate to your Personal Data section by clicking on the dropdown menu beside your username.
3. Locate the Talent Finder visibility section at the bottom of the page.
4. Check the box labeled, ‘I want to be included in the Talent Finder search results’. You can leave it unchecked if you prefer to keep your profile hidden.
5. Click ‘Save’ to save your preference.

Employers don’t just hire skills. They hire people. What’s your “why” in cybersecurity? How did you overcome obstacles to get to this point? What motivates you to keep learning?

Sharing your journey can make a difference, especially on platforms like:

• LinkedIn (tag us at @OffSec!)
• GitHub (document your tools, exploits, and CTF writeups)
• Medium or your personal blog (break down technical problems in simple terms)

And yes, if you’re an OffSec learner, it helps inspire others in our community, and we want to hear your story too! 

We’re also proud to have just launched our new Try Harder monthly series, celebrating and showcasing passionate individuals in the OffSec community who embody the spirit of Try Harder. By sharing your stories, we’re helping you stand out to employers and inspire others in the cybersecurity community. Want to be our next Try Harder hero? Tag us in your OffSec success story on social media to be considered for a feature!

Being “discoverable” means being present, whether that be in conversations, communities, and current trends. To convert this into action points, we recommend you:

• Join the OffSec Community and forums
• Contribute to open-source or participate in Capture The Flag (CTF) competitions
• Attend virtual or in-person events, where many hiring managers use these spaces to recruit directly!

It might seem like even entry-level roles demand several years of experience, and trust us, we’ve heard it all! That’s why our best tip for gaining experience in cybersecurity is through cybersecurity internships or work placements, which will give you a firsthand look at what a career in cybersecurity truly involves.

Work placements often provide exposure to a wide range of security functions, from incident response to vulnerability assessments, offering a broader perspective of how cybersecurity operates in real-world environments.

To get the most out of your placement, we recommend taking a proactive approach: ask thoughtful questions, seek out opportunities to expand your learning, and aim to contribute meaningfully to team projects. This mindset not only accelerates your growth, but also leaves a lasting impression, which could potentially turn a short-term experience into a long-term opportunity!

You’ve proven your skills. Now let the right companies find you. At OffSec, we’re proud to open doors, spotlight your talent, and champion your journey from learner to practitioner to leader.

Join OffSec’s Talent Finder now and start connecting with top cybersecurity employers. Your next opportunity is closer than you think!