Cyber security is becoming more important as people’s entire lives are centered on internet experiences. Whether you’re trying to help companies keep their information safe or you’re working on consumer products that keep the end consumer’s information under wraps, the technical skills that cyber security experts offer are in high demand. Some additional skills that recruiters are looking for when hiring people for cyber security positions are problem-solving skills, communication skills and attention to detail. Here’s how you can create a cyber security resume that highlights your important skill set and help you land your dream job.
“Cyber security” is an extremely vast term. Here are a few of the different cyber security jobs that you might use this type of resume for:
If your job revolves around ensuring that people are safer online, regardless of how you do it, this resume framework can help.
One of the best ways to create a cyber security resume is to look at cyber security resume examples that already exist. Cyber security resume samples are a great way to craft your resume because you’re looking at a finished resume and trying to mimic the important ways that the applicant talks about their experience and knowledge.
Here are some additional tips to keep in mind when writing your cyber security resume:
Every cyber security job is going to be unique, and it’s important that you pay attention to the specific skills you need for the job you’re applying to. Additionally, the resume format you use will have an impact on your finished resume. If you have more experience, a chronological resume will highlight your experience. However, if you have very little work experience, a functional or combination resume will focus on your skills and education. Regardless of the resume format you choose, every resume will have these sections:
The first section on most resumes is the resume summary or resume objective. This is a 2-3 sentence paragraph going over your absolute best qualifications, skills and experience. During your job search, this helps a hiring manager get a quick snapshot of who you are before they read the rest of the resume. A resume objective is different from a resume summary in that it includes your career goals.
Cyber security skills can vary depending on your job. Here are a few bullet points you might include in your skills section:
Both hard skills and soft skills can be important for a cyber security job, but you likely won’t include every skill on every resume. Sift through the job description to see what skills you should list for every application.
Your work experience section should include up to 10 years of experience in cyber security and the technology industry. Include the place where you worked, the years you worked there and your job title, as well as 3-5 key achievements you had for each job.
Your education section should include any formal education you have in cyber security. Many people start their cyber security journey with a bachelor’s in computer science, for example. You can also include any continuing education you’ve taken part in.
The industry-standard certification for cyber security is typically the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), although CompTIA Security+ is another popular cyber security certification. These certifications show that you understand security risks and how to combat them.
It’s always a good idea to submit a cover letter with your cyber security resume. No matter what type of resume you’re submitting, a cover letter can make it easier for you to showcase your skills, talk about past experiences and discuss what makes you perfect for a specific job title. If you don’t know how to write a cover letter, you can use the ResumeNerd cover letter builder to make the process easier.
Entry-level cyber security jobs do exist, and if you don’t have years of experience in the world of cyber security, you can still find a job. If you’re applying for an entry-level cyber security job, it’s best to emphasize your cyber security skills and any academic or internship experiences that you have had in the past.
Yes. You typically shouldn’t be submitting the same resume to multiple job postings, because what makes the perfect resume is individualized for each job title. Instead of trying to craft one perfect resume and then submitting it to every cyber security job you’re interested in, read through the job posting and find out what skills you need to include on your resume to get the job.
