How to rise above the competition in your job search.

Differentiate yourself by putting the employer first.

The cyber job market becomes more competitive everyday.

With the economic downturn in 2023, more and more candidates are looking for work. Jobs are less available than they used to be.

So, how do you stand out in such a big crowd?

FOCUS ON THE EMPLOYER AND THEIR NEEDS.

What do I mean?

Too often job seekers overlook the importance of aligning their skills, experience, and career goals to the job they’re applying to. Let me explain …

Can you feel the difference between these statements?

“I’m looking for a company that has a good culture.”

vs.

“I’m looking for a company where I can build strong relationships and where I can feel comfortable sharing ideas and communicating openly. Your company’s emphasis on transparency resonates with me. This aligns really well with the type of environment I want to work in.”

The first message is an ambiguous, generic statement. The second statement is much better because it focuses on a specific aspect of the company’s culture.

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“Hi [Recruiter name], I just applied to [role] and I was hoping you could share feedback or forward my resume to the hiring manager”

vs.

“Hi [Recruiter name]. Thanks for connecting! I just applied to [role] and wanted to reach out and introduce myself. I’m excited about this opportunity because it aligns perfectly with my background. I’m also a big fan of [company name] for [these reasons]. I bring [x years] of experience in threat hunting and cyber threat intelligence including a solid understanding of the cyber kill chain, diamond model, and SecOps platforms. I’m confident I could make a big impact on the team! I’ve attached my resume and a Threat Intel writing sample. I’d love to have a conversation about my background if you feel there’s a match.”

The first message is what most job seekers send me. It’s a low effort attempt to get noticed. The second message is much more specific to the job description and outlines the value you can bring to the organization. It also speaks to why you want to work there.

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“I feel like I’m a good fit for this role because I’m a team player, I work hard, and I have relevant skills that can contribute to your team’s success”

vs.

“Thanks for sharing more about the role and the type of person you want on your team. You mentioned the importance of taking initiative, working effectively on diverse teams, and customer relationships skills. I’m confident I can add value in each of those areas! If it’s okay I can share an example where I took the lead on addressing a security vulnerability …”

The first message is full of fluffy filler words that don’t mean much. The second message pin points exactly what the interviewer is looking for and provides evidence for why you match up with those qualifications.

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Are you seeing the trend?

Extraordinary candidates make it all about the needs of the position. They don’t just talk about their skills and background. They talk about how their skills and background can help the team. They don’t just talk about their soft skills. They talk about how their soft skills can elevate and the team. They don’t just show up to the interview and ask elementary questions. They come prepared with thoughtful questions that help them understand the role better.

So, next time you decide to reach out to a Recruiter, revise your resume, or prepare for an interview, make sure to focus on the needs of the employer. Put yourself in their shoes and think of ways you can help them. This will put you far ahead of other candidates, trust me!