6 Tips To Get a Cybersecurity Job With No Experience

The tech field is vast, so it doesn't always follow conventional rules for training for and obtaining positions. Unlike teaching and nursing jobs, cybersecurity doesn't have set steps for gaining experience and education before finding a job.

That means you can get a job in cybersecurity with little to no education or experience.

So check below for some of our top tips to get a cybersecurity job with no experience if you're ready to start a cybersecurity career and want to know how to make it easier on yourself when you do.

Top Tips to Help You Get a Cybersecurity Job With No Experience

From determining what skills you already have to use in your career to searching for connections in your new field before you enter it, here are six tips for how to get a cybersecurity job with no experience.

1. Determine What Technical and Soft Skills Will Help You Thrive in Cybersecurity

While cybersecurity is a niche tech field, there are still plenty of other skills that can be useful to you as a new hire.

Soft skills like communication, teamwork, time management, and problem-solving are vital to working in a tech team, and hard skills like programming, project management, and data analysis are also helpful to have.

By highlighting skills like these and relating them to your future cybersecurity position in your resume and interviews, you can increase your chances of getting a cybersecurity job with no experience or technical skills.

2. Pursue Professional Development

You may not have the education and work experience of a seasoned cybersecurity specialist, but that doesn't mean you can't learn a thing or two before or during your job search.

Free online lessons and hobby cybersecurity groups can help you learn the basics, while paid bootcamps, on-the-job training, and online cybersecurity programs can help you dive deep into cybersecurity skills and experiences.

The best part is that you can pursue this development before, during, and after you get your first cybersecurity job. Choose whatever time is best for you, though it's best that you have at least some idea of the scope of work you'll be performing before you start.

3. Obtain Professional Certifications

The best way to prove you're ready for a cybersecurity position, even when you have no prior work experience, is by getting professional certifications.

The Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) has security and network certifications for entry-level cybersecurity analysts, and certificates for ethical hackers, expert penetration testers, cloud security professionals, and more can be found on the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Careers and Studies (NICCS) website.

These certifications prove your capabilities as a cybersecurity specialist and allow you to dive into specialized positions more easily, even without work experience.

4. Establish Connections in the Field

As you go about learning the skills you need and obtaining certifications, take the time to network and connect with other professionals and learners in the cybersecurity field.

Not only can you learn a lot from people who have been in the field longer than you, but you can also get recommendations and references for classes, certifications, and positions. You never know when the person you met on an online forum while learning ethical hacking could be your new CEO.

The connections you make while preparing to enter the field can give you a leg up in your career and help you secure your future in cybersecurity.

5. Look for Entry-Level Positions to Get a Foot in the Door

No matter what skills and certifications you have, it'll be easier to qualify for an entry-level job in cybersecurity than a more advanced one if you have no proven work experience. Take your time looking for an entry-level position that fits your current skill set and has promotion potential.

Once you've got the job, you can start showing your superiors the advanced skills and extra value you're bringing to the table. If you can better serve the company in a different, higher-level position, your boss will definitely let you know.

Just make sure not to worry about proving your worth and moving up until you've done well in your entry-level position first.

6. Always Be Ready to Learn More

When you fill out resumes, attend interviews, and consider your job options, remember that your current lack of experience isn't a detriment but a benefit.

You're trying to get a cybersecurity job with no experience because you're always ready to learn and grow professionally. That won't stop once you get the job.

Display your eagerness to learn new skills as your best attribute and treat every position as an opportunity for yourself and your employer, and you'll find that many companies in the field are more willing to work with you despite your inexperience.

This will make getting a cybersecurity position with no experience much easier for you.

Get Your First Job in Cybersecurity Today

Now that you know some of the best tips for getting a cybersecurity job with no experience, it's time to start working on getting your first cybersecurity job and making the vital moves today that will help you create a stable, enjoyable cybersecurity career tomorrow.