How to Stay Sane During Your Cybersecurity Job Search
Trying to launch a career or change up what you’re doing in cybersecurity? You’ve probably sent off dozens of applications without hearing a peep in response. Maybe you’re not seeing any job titles or postings that seem like a reasonable leap from where you are now. It feels like burnout, but you haven’t even gotten started.
Sound familiar? You’re not alone. Job hunting can be stressful, but cybersecurity has plenty to offer for interesting career pathways once you get your foot in the door. And with over 750,000 current cybersecurity job openings at varying levels, there’s no shortage of opportunities for the future.
What you may lack is inspiration and perspective to figure out where the doors are (and nobody is handing out blueprints). If you can shift your focus to the work that aligns with your values instead of focusing on what you haven’t done yet, you’re more likely to find a path forward.
In this blog post about values-based job searching, we’ll examine:
Common pitfalls to avoid in your cybersecurity job search
What a values-based approach is and how it shifts your perspective
Four steps to explore values-based job searching
Why aligning work with your values creates fresh inspiration
Common Pitfalls to Avoid in Your Cybersecurity Job Search
It’s easy to get discouraged when job hunting, and sometimes the process grinds you down. Let’s face it, sitting at home and desperately applying to hundreds of positions isn’t the best way to stay motivated. Some of this is just based on luck, and late-night scrolling of job postings creates dark circles, not better odds.
Common job search mistakes include:
Disqualifying yourself too early
Don’t be too hasty to dismiss what you can contribute. Over three-quarters of organizations need to bump up their IT and cybersecurity headcount, according to Fortinet. These companies know they may need to fill a few knowledge gaps to get the unicorn they’re seeking, and 91% are willing to pay.
Burning out by applying for too many jobs
Job hunting can be a full-time gig in itself, so make sure you’re treating it that way. That means you need rest so you can recharge each day. Take care of yourself so that when an opportunity shows up, you’re ready to rock it.
Hiding behind your laptop
Researching online can be helpful–to a point. Put yourself in places and situations where you’ll meet people in real life—such as meetups, conferences, or other industry events. Sometimes, an opportunity will find you because you’re in the right conversation at the right time, or an idea will spark because you got out of your comfort zone.
How a Values-Based Approach Shifts Perspective
Tried and true strategies do exist to help you navigate the emotional roller coaster of job searching, but most only offer suggestions to mitigate stress and process the emotional burdens. While keeping your cortisol levels within a healthy range is wise, there are other considerations to prioritize besides surviving the search.
When breaking into a new industry, you must change your perspective to envision new possibilities. You’ll need to move past what you can see as your reality today and cast a wider net, giving yourself a chance to imagine what you’re capable of.
A values-based approach to job searching can help you push past barriers (real or imagined) so you can target the kinds of opportunities that spark the kind of energy you know you have to offer.
What exactly do we mean by a values-based approach? Try flipping the script, and stop using your current job or experience as a starting point for your search. Instead, focus on the values you care about, based on how you want to feel at work. For example, you may know you value connection and collaboration at work, and want to prioritize these as you look for opportunities.
Plus, in an industry as diverse as cybersecurity, there are bound to be ways you can apply your knowledge and skills that you haven’t thought of yet. Start with what you know is true about your priorities and the kind of work environment where you flourish, and see what you turn up.
4 Steps to Explore Values-Based Job Searching
Start with the values you care about and how you want to feel at work, then expand your thinking to the kind of work that has felt energizing in the past. Use this lens to hunt for and evaluate job opportunities.
Here are five steps to help you focus on your values in your cybersecurity job search.
Define your values
Think about what matters most to you in the workplace. Your values may include how you connect and work with others, how you want your work environment to feel, and what kind of purpose you’d like to contribute to.
Imagine your ideal work setting
Using the values above, imagine your ideal work setting that would deliver experiences you would find rewarding. This could include the type of location, the kind of coworkers and clients you’d love to collaborate with, and the workload you can manage.
Brainstorm the work activities you enjoy most
Create a list of the types of work you could contribute in any job setting. Don’t worry about qualifications yet. Focus on the actual words that describe the types of work you enjoy. Words like collaborate, create, learn, listen, network, and organize could all help you unlock new ideas.
Take your new ideas to your job search
Use these new concepts to search for cybersecurity job roles and companies on LinkedIn and online job boards. Take note of what comes up for job titles, knowledge areas, skills, and abilities. These could offer potential for your job search today or can help you clarify one or two steps that could move you in interesting directions.
Align Work With Your Values for Fresh Inspiration
When you’re looking to move into a new industry, you need a broader lens and a new approach to job hunting to help open up new avenues. Focusing on what you can do today can cause a bit of floundering, and that’s not your sweet spot. You like smart, strategic action.
One critical reminder is that the only thing you can control about your cybersecurity job search is how you show up for it. Will a values-based approach magically cause the perfect job to land in your lap? Likely not.
When you look for a new role that aligns with your values and how you want to feel at work, the search becomes a more appealing and enjoyable process, and opportunities are liable to be more exciting. The result will be a job search that makes you curious, opens new conversations and possibilities, and excites you about the future.
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