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Over qualified?! Not sure what I am doing wrong.

Veteran

Keith McAllister Knoxville, TN

I have been looking to gain a proper foothold in the Cybersecurity field. I have years of experience with 85-90% of the networking aspects of IT. I obtained 4 college degrees, including a Masters in CyberSecuritry. Yet I am struggling to find a job. I worked with resume writers, to reallocate my skills based on the job in which I am applying to. Each cover letter addressed specific skills the job posting was asking about. After 156 applications since May 4th, I only had 3 interviews; I have not been hired. I have Veterans Preference letters and documents attached to the resume, along with my Master's transcripts showing I achieved a 3.81 GPA for my Masters level educations. I have been told I am over qualified for positions on many occasions. I had a vet center tell me to "dumb down" my resume! I am just looking for a job at this point. Anyone hiring a janitor?

23 June 2018 21 replies Career Advancement

Answers

Veteran

Mike Salaka New York, NY

Thank you for sharing the story. Same here, I am a veteran with three Master’s degrees from Business to Public Policy and going for Doctor in Law and Policy. I don’t know what to say. I had a high expectation when I left Army in 2016 with work experience and graduate degree. I am still happy and making living, but I wish I could do something for vets who don’t make it and be part of statistic.

14 August 2018 Helpful answer

Advisor

Steven Mathews Spring, TX

Chances are your resume looks like 95% of all other resumes: you describe WHAT you have done, WHAT your responsibilities were at previous positions. Consequently, there are NO distinguishing characteristics in your resume that will prompt an employer to call you in for an interview. I can show you how to transform your current resume into a Top 1% Resume, resulting in phone calls in 24-72 hours to set up a job interview. slmathews99@gmail.com

24 June 2018 Helpful answer

Advisor

Steven Sablan Carmel, CA

Semper Fi, Keith. I might be able to help. What specific field(s) of cyber security are you looking to get into and where are you looking to work?

23 June 2018 Helpful answer

Advisor

Rob Bedell Santa Monica, CA

Hey Keith,

Thank you for your service. What you are experiencing isn't too unusual once you have a certain level of experience. If you are looking for an entry level position to get your foot in the door, you may have to leave some information off your resume. But is that really the type of job you want?

Until you find what you want, you may start looking to work in a fractional situation. Fractional CFOs have been around for a while. I do fractional sales management. What that means is that a lot of businesses could not afford me full time, but they can utilize me for a few hours a week. I go in and put the sales structure in place and make sure they are following the sales process. So instead of working for one company, I work with many small businesses. You could do the same for Cybersecurity.

If you want to know more on how it works, let me know. I will connect with you on LinkedIn.

Rob Bedell

Veteran

J Leo Fairfax, VA

Hi Keith,

Do you still have active clearance? Are you willing to relocate to Northern VA? If so, shoot me your resume. john.leo@noblis-esi.com.

Cheers,
John

Advisor

Stuart Egrin Troy, MI

Have you ever considered working as an independent contractor? Some companies use that as a test to see if you are a good match for their business culture before offering you a full-time position. Another thought that comes to my mind might be that you should be self-employed.

Advisor

Jerry Smales Ansted, WV

I know what your dealing with. I still remember my sister saying why don’t you get a job a McDonald’s. Lol Thank God I didn’t do that. I eventually started my own businesses. Let me know your specialty. I am looking to hire someone with your skills. Send your resume to rev.smales@gmail.com.

Advisor

Brock Renshaw Tampa, FL

Keith

I work in the cyber security space at Citi. I’m an intel guy (0231 USMC)... please shoot me an email with your resume at brock.alan.renshaw@citi.com.

I’m on leave for a handful of days so please send after the 21st of aug.

Semper Fi
Brock

Veteran

Philip Lantz Kansas City, MO

Keith,

First off, stay strong I've been there. Secondly, applications and submitting resumes doesn't do the trick 70%-80% of the time.

Point 1: NETWORK...this is how you get a job. 70%-80% of jobs aren't even posted.

Point 2: NETWORK...only 15 percent of positions were filled through job boards according to recent research. Those are not great odds.

Point 3: NETWORK...not with HR and not after a job is posted. HR is too busy for this and often aren't the hiring authority. After the position is posted is too late. Most of the time the hiring authority already has a candidate in mind. They may have to do an interview of the candidate. They may even have to post the job due to regulations/laws (IE the company has Gov Contracts). By this point they usually know who they want to hire.

Point 4: NETWORK (see the pattern?)...how many people have you cold called? How many emails have you sent trying to get on someone's calendar? Networking, when you don't have a job, is your job.

Point 5: Every interaction is an interview. Every email; every phone call; every time you talk to someone in an elevator. Every. Single. One. Networking is a premeditated, planned, campaign. It needs a strategy, focus, and thoughtful "targeting". Do your homework and determine who has placement and access (P&A) to either your goal or a person who has P&A to your goal.

Good luck. Stay focused and positive. If you want to discuss more, shoot me a message.

Phil Lantz

Veteran

Reginald Jackson Round Rock, TX

All, thanks for the great information. I am currently still serving in the military and will be finishing up my career in 2 years. I am also looking to get into cybersecurity and have some concerns about the actual experience that I will be able to translate to the civilian sector because I switched to cybersecurity, from Infantry, in 2015. Prior to that I did have some IT experience but that experience ended in 2001. I currently have and MBA, CISSP +9. I would like to get into IT auditing (I've passed the CISA and will submit my application for certification in November) but c SOC operations, information security engineering or computer forensics are in the realm of possibilities. I live in an area that seems to have numerous job listings so hopefully that will help. If any of you have any words of advice or encouragement I'd like to hear from you.

Veteran

Erick Liggons Chicago, IL

Maybe LOOK at Homeland Security or your Home STATE as an employer. Also,, maybe you can start your own business as I am looking into.

Veteran

Linda Dyas Farmington, MN

I spent the major part of the past two years unemployed. I have 20 years experience in nuclear power, I have a BS in Chemistry, ABD on PhD in Chemistry, Masters of Business Administration and hold two senior reactor operator licenses from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. My problem wasn't getting through an interview, my problem was getting the interview. No matter how much I dumbed down my resume people found it difficult to see any relative job skills in my nuclear power background. I spent a lot of time walking recruiters through my regulatory compliance experience and management skills that would translate.
I want to echo the sentiments of Mike Salaka... there has to be a better way. Our veteran experience should tell everyone that we are trainable, mission focused, strong work ethics and leaders. What more could any employer want? right?
So how do we change the tide? How do we keep other veterans from going through this type of experience?
The longer that you are unemployed the worse things get... bills pile up, depression sets in, and you start feeling bad about yourself. That is not the best way to present yourself.

Advisor

Rick Russell Fort Worth, TX

Keith,
Semper Fi Brother! I have mentored several people through ACP and the one thing that is common is interviewing. Some people just don't get the interview process. If you're applying for government jobs, one single "unqualified" question could possibly disqualify you for the job. Send me a private message and I'll give you a couple of companies I know are hiring. We can do a mock interview if you think it would be appropriate.

Veteran

Eric Jones Alexandria, VA

Sounds like you are applying for Government jobs. Those are tricky and in my experience they usually go to an internal resource. Could it be you are applying for jobs below your professional competency? Your experience and education may not match the jobs in which you apply. Don't be afraid to stretch outside of your comfort zone. I would also recommend if you haven't already get the necessary professional certifications. They are the new benchmark for capability in most fields. Finally, keep at it. Keep sending resumes and applying for positions. I know the process can be incredibly discouraging, know your value and keep moving forward.

Advisor

Jim Schreier Milwaukee, WI

I can certainly echo a lot of the advice you've gotten from others. Directly speaking to your concerns, it appears you're focusing a lot on what you "HAVE," Skills, Degrees, Certificates, Awards! I want to know what you've DONE with those "haves," because honestly having something, particularly skills, doesn't mean you've accomplished things with them, etc. For example, I was very "skilled" at accounting in college -- but I didn't enjoy it at all and would never have considered practicing it professionally. I have written several articles related to these issues, on this site and at www.212-careers.com

Veteran

Keith McAllister Knoxville, TN

Mr. Steven Mathews, I sent you an email and a message.

Veteran

Keith McAllister Knoxville, TN

Taube, I sent you a message

Advisor

Taube Weiner Dedham, MA

Hi Keith,
i'm a career coach working with military on a pro-bono basis, which is my way to say thank you for your service.

I agree that maybe your resume needs to be looked at. My philosophy on resume is this: resumes, religion and politics, everyone has an opinion, and I'll give you mine! LOL

The other thought is your cover letter and then of course your interview skills. I'd be willing to help you out. Best way to reach me is to go to my website TransitionsbyTaube.com. read over my experience and email me you resume. We'll then set up a time to talk or skype.

Blessings,
Taube pronounced Tobi

Veteran

Keith McAllister Knoxville, TN

Steven,
Thank you for the lead. Please forward my profile link to your contact, add me on as a connection Linkedin as well.
My LinkedIn profile link is below.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/keith-mcallister-385a1246/

Thank you again and Semper Fi!
Regards
Keith McAllister

Advisor

Steven Sablan Carmel, CA

Keith - first, don’t call me “sir.” I know, it’s a hard habit to break. Second, are you on LinkedIn? If so, I can introduce you to another retired Marine who is now working on the OCO side. I know, it’s not what you’re looking to do, but it’s in the same world. He might have some good pointers for you

Veteran

Keith McAllister Knoxville, TN

Semper Fi,

Sir,
I really am looking to get my foot in the door. My career goals are Cybersecurity Penetration tester or computer forensics investigator. I relocated May 5th to Knoxville Tn. I applied to many companies dealing with all aspects of Cybersecurity, from the entry level to the advanced level. I have 4 professional certifications including IBM Certified Analyst i2 Analyst's Notebook V9, Essentials of Community Cybersecurity, Introduction to Incident Command System, and National Incident Management System (NIMS) an Introduction.

I am looking to test soon for the CCNA Security, CCNP cyber ops, CISSP, and Network Security +. I am hoping to have them all compete by years end. I need more experience and a sponsor to obtain an Ethical Hacker certification according to three schools that at one time offered the course.

Any advice or leads to start my career will be most helpful.

Regards
Keith McAllister

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