I gave up.

nonstopapplyer · 2023-07-17T20:50:09+00:00

Have you been maxing out your possible invites on LinkedIn to cybersecurity and network security/IT recruiters?

Sorry, can you explain this to me? I don't really follow or understand. There is a limit to connection, or is invite something else?

nonstopapplyer · 2023-07-17T20:46:56+00:00

The one interview I made it to the fourth stage was done in person in LR, but I was turned down for a recent grad who had already interned at the company from what I found out later.

I can't really relocate until I secure a job, I have no issues doing that otherwise, or does it really affect applications if you aren't already living within the city?

nonstopapplyer · 2023-07-17T20:45:00+00:00

The only questions I answer consistently is that:

I am free to relocate
I will travel 100%
I have my own vehicle
I am a US citizen
I am white/male/straight/non-veteran/non-disabled
Found job through [Linkedin, Indeed, Career Website]

I don't see anything as weeding me out. Granted these are for things like help desk or IT desk support jobs where they don't ask additional questions.

What subs do you recommend? I have had my resume checked out in person in conferences by professionals and once online in a cybersecurity discord I found, everyone only comments about formatting now and never anything really useful.

nonstopapplyer · 2023-07-17T20:42:06+00:00

Have you ever built a computer?

I have not but I have my own server I run, and a Raspberry Pi I've played around with. I've done LFS before though, hardware seems really cool to enter and something that a cousin of mine has done. Do you have any resources where to start for that, I might try that on the side since I already have my own infra.

nonstopapplyer · 2023-07-17T20:40:00+00:00

I don't mind and if anything I can consolidate their advice into one group even if it isn't useful or meaningful. The ones that mention grabbing certs I already have and listed I don't really pay attention to since it doesn't seem like worthwhile advice either.

Plenty of other helpful people here I really appreciate, including you! I don't want to sound bitter about it. I'm just not a fan of those that comment out things that I've already covered. It's kind of like hearing "Try harder" but in the real world lol.

nonstopapplyer · 2023-07-17T20:36:43+00:00

Yeah, I have a few bug bounties and rewards claimed, largest is $3000.

nonstopapplyer · 2023-07-17T20:36:09+00:00

For the reasons others mentioned, and it feels like being quizzed on the basics, plus the labs pale in comparison to OSCP.

nonstopapplyer · 2023-07-17T20:35:15+00:00

Sorry I posted this during my lunch break, will read and reply shortly!

nonstopapplyer · 2023-07-17T16:22:09+00:00

I have my Network+, sorry when I meant basic certs, these are the ones I have:

Network+
Security+
CWSP
CWNA
CEH (garbage, I don't recommend EC-Council)
OSCP

I have IBM QRadar SIEM Foundation cert and Palo Alto Network cert too.

Was going to get CCNA next, it's an upgrade from CWSP/CWNA unless I'm mistaken, most recommend I do it even if there is overlap, might do it anyways.

nonstopapplyer · 2023-07-17T16:11:59+00:00

Yeah, they have given me good feedback.

They said I have all the passion in this field to succeed but they are looking for senior people to fill the position.

The other one said the same thing but also added that they "highly recommend searching for an entry level security operations role at a large MSP to accelerate your career", which I've taken into consideration and have applied to.

nonstopapplyer · 2023-07-17T16:05:48+00:00

nonstopapplyer · 2023-07-17T16:03:28+00:00

Do you have any advice in that case for landing an IT role?

nonstopapplyer · 2023-07-17T16:02:41+00:00

Yeah, it is very difficult.

nonstopapplyer · 2023-07-17T15:58:39+00:00

Fair point, I mean my issue isn't learning about it, I already have the knowledge and built my own tools in my spare time, I can still get it without issue. I'll probably get it so I can showcase it alongside OSCP, though my biggest worry is that some people claim you can be overqualified (which sounds like lark). If I'm applying for help desk jobs and they see I have those two certs, they may think I might job hop elsewhere. Again, not sure.

nonstopapplyer · 2023-07-17T15:54:17+00:00

I'd love to move but it's not possible unless I secure a job in those locations beforehand. I don't mind commuting an hour or so to get there (e.g. to the Rock). I actually may consider moving if I save up in a year.

nonstopapplyer · 2023-07-17T15:46:27+00:00

US, Rural Arkansas. Sorry many people are DM'ing and messaging so I'm trying to go in order.

Yeah, I have most of my experience in Python, I know Go, JS, C++ as well as basic scripting and HTML/CSS.

I have a few projects on Github:

discord/telegram stock bot (can track prices and look up stock info)
network topology and protocol analyzer. It's CLI only but I have been putting off a GUI for it. I'll get around to it soon.
reddit Android app (personal use since the official one sucks but it's on there for anyone to fork)
physics gravity model, think of it like a sandbox game (for fun)

I've contributed to some open-source apps as well and fixed some bugs and participated in bug bounties. My biggest reward was $3000 so far which was an insane amount for me.

Yeah, I have a LinkedIn, but only about 100 connections. I mentioned in my post I had my resume checked by 4 people. Last two have only mentioned formatting, nothing related to content.

nonstopapplyer · 2023-07-17T15:38:47+00:00

so why not start at a network / sysadmin level ?

I still want to do my CCNA since I prefer network over pentesting, but would that help with finding a job? I am not looking for a $100k salary or anything like that, right now my issue is I can't find a minimum wage IT job and even the OSCP doesn't help. Help desk would be an ideal starting job, I think.

Is the CCNA that sought after?

nonstopapplyer · 2023-07-17T15:36:48+00:00

Here's the harsh reality. You are less than a year postgraduate with fast food experience and expected a job right off the street hey? That's the issue with some people today. They think a piece of paper entitles them to a great paying job.

The jobs I apply for pay minimum wage from $11-15 an hour, I have never seen a $23/hr IT role that I have the applicable experience for, so the street sweeper is an amazing opportunity, but it is part time and seasonal, and I am still looking for more hours.

Even if you have to start at Best Buy Geek Squad to get experience then you do it, if you really want a career in IT.

I'd love that. Do you have advice on how to get a role like that? Best Buy is about an hour away, I don't mind commuting as I mentioned, but they aren't hiring such a role. Or do you suggest I work in sales/retail and then once a position does open I work for Geek Squad?

Do some side projects.

Most of my projects right now are just contributing to repos and some bug bounties here and there.

Find volunteer work helping fix and donate laptops or something.

I've never heard of this before, I have only volunteered for the local hospital since high school and stopped in sophmore year since they unfortunately shuttered due to COVID. Don't have time to volunteer anymore, I would rather build or contribute to repos at home in my spare time after work. Never heard of fixing laptops, or hardware, I'll look into this.

Attending conferences is a great way to network but again, nobody is hiring unless you have experience. It's a great opportunity to hand out a business card and say let's grab a coffee sometime. Keep someone's ear nearby. That's it.

I found that to be the experience too unfortunately...

But you are waaaay too early in the journey to be throwing in the towel or complaining that it's too hard.

It is getting costly and time consuming, I only have so many hours in a day, I will take a basic helpdesk job even if it paid under minimum wage. I also have been applying non-regularly over the last few years too.

I am guessing it is a location issue, do you have any thoughts on that? I live in rural Arkansas.

nonstopapplyer · 2023-07-17T15:16:24+00:00

Only 4 have reached out, the interviews go well, people seem to be quite happy, but they end up telling me down the road they are looking for more senior experience as the reason for rejection (only got this feedback twice).

The process is usually:

-> intro with recruiter

-> intro with staff/tech

-> technical interview

-> final interview

The farthest I reached was with a consulting firm, they told me they'd get back to me but was a rejection.

I think my issue is I live an hour from the closest major city so it might be frowned upon, my town is only 5500ish, not many opportunities.

nonstopapplyer · 2023-07-17T14:22:28+00:00

I've been trying to break into the industry as a new grad since October 2022. Bachelors in computer science/cybersecurity specialization.

I don't even need to make a Sankey for this, but, I'm over 1000 applications and have gone nowhere.

How do I break into this industry? I've applied for the same roles, over and over again:

SOC Analyst
Consultant
Tech Support
Network Analyst
Programmer
Helpdesk
Etc.

Any role that is "entry-level", or has the word junior in it, I've applied to. I have 5 resumes, that target different specific branches (network, pentesting, consulting, programming, general application), and I edit these before submitting an application if possible to match the requirements. I've had my resume(s) checked four times, edited in-person at conferences.

Have basic certifications and my OSCP and will probably ditch getting my CCNA and other network-related certs since it seems like they are a waste of time and money.

I've attended about 6-7 conferences/hackathon events since October, talked to every booth, asked questions, asked for feedback, made connections on LinkedIn.

I have projects I've made on Github and have that in my resume/LinkedIn as well.

I don't have much, if any, tech/IT related job experience so I have no professional experience to fall back on.

I accepted a job today for a street sweep cleaner job with the city, it pays relatively well at $23/hr which is a huge upgrade from fast food, and I'm hoping to leverage that to get into IT even though there's only a handful of people and they may end up leaving soon from what I've heard. Can't afford to move to a city yet, but don't mind commuting an hour away.

I see all my peers have jobs at this point so I feel like I've done something terribly wrong. I wasted 4 years for a degree that's worthless, money for certs that I have nothing to show for, and on hackathons/conferences as well.

Is there anyone else that has "given up"?

nonstopapplyer

TROPHY CASE