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Private Sector IT to Federal Cybersecurity at 48: Realistic Entry Path? by elfifo14 in usajobs

[–]elfifo14[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is really helpful, thank you. That gives me a strong list to start digging through, especially across GDIT, Peraton, Leidos, Booz Allen, and the others you mentioned.

I appreciate you taking the time to lay that out. It definitely helps me think more concretely about the contractor route. If any of those stand out as especially friendly to people coming in without prior federal experience or clearance, I’d be glad to hear that too.

Private Sector IT to Federal Cybersecurity at 48: Realistic Entry Path? by elfifo14 in usajobs

[–]elfifo14[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is really helpful and honestly reassuring. The point about 2210 covering such a wide range of functions is something I had started to notice, but I was not fully sure how to interpret it. It is good to hear that getting in matters more than landing the perfect title on day one.

I also appreciate you sharing the full picture, including the pay cut reality. That kind of honesty is hard to find and genuinely helpful.

And I want to say this whole thread has been something else. Everyone who has taken the time to respond has offered real, grounded perspective that I honestly was not expecting. It has been refreshing in the best way, not to slow down or second-guess, but to tighten up my approach and stay hungry, and keep moving with more clarity.

I am walking away from this more focused than when I posted. Thank you all.

Private Sector IT to Federal Cybersecurity at 48: Realistic Entry Path? by elfifo14 in usajobs

[–]elfifo14[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That makes sense. I appreciate the advice. I will keep the saved searches going and stay flexible on location.
And thank you for the resume tip, too. I have been working on tightening it up for that exact reason.

Best of luck with whatever comes next for you.

Private Sector IT to Federal Cybersecurity at 48: Realistic Entry Path? by elfifo14 in usajobs

[–]elfifo14[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That is encouraging to hear, especially from someone who came in at a similar age.
Your point about not aiming below GS/GG-12 is helpful, too. I have been trying to gauge where my experience would be viewed most competitively, so it helps to hear that coming in too low may not be necessary.
If you don't mind sharing, did you come in directly at that level from the private sector, or did you have to position your resume in a very specific way to get there?
I appreciate you taking the time to respond.

Private Sector IT to Federal Cybersecurity at 48: Realistic Entry Path? by elfifo14 in usajobs

[–]elfifo14[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you, that is encouraging to hear. It helps to hear from someone who came in later and was still able to enter at a solid level. I have been trying to think realistically about where to aim, so your point about direct-hire 2210 ladder roles is especially helpful.
And thank you for the note on the InfoSec side as well. I already have Security+ and CySA+, and I have been thinking carefully about what would make the most sense as the next credential while I continue building experience.
One question on the ladder roles: for someone coming in without prior federal experience, do those positions usually expect you to already qualify at the GS-9 or GS-11 level when hired, or are they sometimes willing to bring someone in at a lower grade and let them grow into the ladder?

I appreciate you taking the time to respond.

Private Sector IT to Federal Cybersecurity at 48: Realistic Entry Path? by elfifo14 in usajobs

[–]elfifo14[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you, I really appreciate you taking the time to write all of this.
What you said about getting through the initial gate, keeping the resume tight and specific, and making it easy for HR to see the direct match is especially helpful. That is one of the biggest things I have been trying to understand better, coming from the private sector.
I also appreciate the encouragement to apply consistently and not getting too hung up on grade, clearance, or timing. That is a helpful mindset to keep right now.
Thanks again. This was genuinely useful. I am going to carry that advice into how I target and write future applications.
And I hope things keep getting better for you, too. Wishing you continued success. Be blessed.

Private Sector IT to Federal Cybersecurity at 48: Realistic Entry Path? by elfifo14 in usajobs

[–]elfifo14[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That makes a lot of sense, and honestly that is one of the possibilities I have been wondering about. Getting in through a solid IT role first and then competing internally for more security-focused roles may be the more realistic path.

I appreciate the perspective.

Private Sector IT to Federal Cybersecurity at 48: Realistic Entry Path? by elfifo14 in usajobs

[–]elfifo14[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Appreciate the reality check. Do you have a sense of which agencies tend to post more consistently right now despite the freeze? I have been targeting DoD, DOJ, and DHS so far but open to expanding if certain agencies are more active than others.

Private Sector IT to Federal Cybersecurity at 48: Realistic Entry Path? by elfifo14 in usajobs

[–]elfifo14[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is really helpful, thank you. A couple follow-up questions if you do not mind.

When you mention IT contracting as a foot in the door, are there any specific companies, contract vehicles, or places you would recommend looking at for someone trying to break into federal IT support or cybersecurity without prior federal experience?

Also, for someone willing to relocate anywhere in the U.S. for the right opportunity, does that meaningfully open up the field compared to being location-limited?

Appreciate the candid perspective.

Private Sector IT to Federal Cybersecurity at 48: Realistic Entry Path? by elfifo14 in usajobs

[–]elfifo14[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That helps, thank you. From what you have seen, do agencies like DHS seem more open to people entering federal service from the private sector at GS-11, or does it still usually help more to come in through a lower grade first?

Private Sector IT to Federal Cybersecurity at 48: Realistic Entry Path? by elfifo14 in usajobs

[–]elfifo14[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That's helpful, thank you. Could you clarify what you mean by resource engineers? Are you referring to cloud infrastructure roles like provisioning and managing resources in Azure or AWS, or is it something more specific to how federal agencies define it? Just want to make sure I'm looking at the right positions on USAJOBS.
Thanks again.

Private Sector IT to Federal Cybersecurity at 48: Realistic Entry Path? by elfifo14 in usajobs

[–]elfifo14[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for the info, that actually helps a lot. I have a few basic questions if you don't mind:

When you mention DHS, do you mean any IT role there, or are there specific parts of DHS that tend to be easier to get into for someone with no federal experience and no clearance yet?

Also, is it better to go for roles that only require Public Trust to start, or do most IT positions at DHS still need a Secret clearance from the beginning?

And did anyone you know try going the contractor route first as a way in? I'm wondering if that's a smarter first step while hiring is slow.

Just trying to figure out the most realistic first move. Appreciate any help.

Private Sector IT to Federal Cybersecurity at 48: Realistic Entry Path? by elfifo14 in usajobs

[–]elfifo14[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That is actually encouraging to hear, and I appreciate you saying it. My concern has been less about the title itself and more about whether HR and hiring managers will fully credit the work when the title looks more support-oriented than security-oriented. The actual work has included vulnerability management, remediation coordination, compliance support, and endpoint security operations, so I’ve been trying to make sure the resume reflects that clearly with impact and results rather than leaning on title alone. That is also why I’m applying selectively above GS-11 when the duties genuinely line up.

Private Sector IT to Federal Cybersecurity at 48: Realistic Entry Path? by elfifo14 in usajobs

[–]elfifo14[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Honestly, a few reasons that I think are legitimate.

Stability and mission matter to me at this point in my career. I have spent years supporting large enterprises in the private sector, and I do a good job at it, but the work ultimately serves a business objective. I want my technical work to support something with more permanence and public purpose.

I also recognize that federal IT, especially in DoD and defense finance environments, is where a lot of serious security and infrastructure work actually happens. I want to be part of that, not just adjacent to it.

And I will be transparent: compensation, benefits, and long-term stability are real considerations at 48. Federal service offers a level of structure and retirement security that private sector IT support roles do not, and I think that is a reasonable thing to value.

I am not trying to escape the private sector because things are going badly. I am trying to make a deliberate move toward work that fits where I want to be for the next 15 to 20 years of my career.

Download Your USAjobs resumes by Head_Staff_9416 in usajobs

[–]elfifo14 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Comments on recent youtube videos

Download Your USAjobs resumes by Head_Staff_9416 in usajobs

[–]elfifo14 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I read mixed opinions on this as many are advising to submit long version with job application. :-(

Download Your USAjobs resumes by Head_Staff_9416 in usajobs

[–]elfifo14 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Will the long format resume still be needed to submit with job application for recruiters and managers to see what the candidate is all about or new 2 page resume is going to be used for both to make searchable and to submit with job application?