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Looking to advance a career by taking a step back...

Veteran

Ben Sneyd Fuquay Varina, NC

I transitioned in late 2014 and my journey has been amazing. Since then, I have completed two Masters degrees, earned my CompTIA Sec+, and [assed my Splunk Certification exam. I am currently signed up for my Base SAS test, but I can't claim it just yet.

I am starting to feel like there is more out there for me and I am having a tough time with understanding where I fit, what my value is, and how to break into a new field. My first job naturally progressed to my current role, but I have been seriously contemplating a move to either Pre-Sales/Systems Engineering, or Cyber Security.

Unfortunately, I find that I am consistently turned down with the generic form letter and/or a lack of experience type of message. Any suggestions for enhancing my chances and/or resume reviews would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!
-Ben

9 November 2018 7 replies Career Advancement

Answers

Veteran

Curtis Hays Castle Rock, CO

Hi Ben,

I agree with everyone that posted before me about knowing someone is the best way to get an interview. Next to that is to start with contracting. There are lots of security consulting companies that are looking for analysts with your list of certifications. You will get real world experience across a broad range and will build your network and resume in the process. Message those who've offered to help and I bet that will pay off either directly or indirectly.

15 November 2018 Helpful answer

Veteran

Anqi Zhao Hakalau, HI

Hi Ben,

I'm exploring career fields myself. The unanimously answer I learned was: you need to know people. Because your online application, along with thousands others, just goes to an automatic tool that compares your resume to their job description, the resume with the highest percentage of keyword matches may get looked at. But when someone refers you, you resume goes on top of the pile of applications and gets looked at by a person. Go to job fairs is a good way to get your resume in front of a HR. I got a big name silicon valley company to call me because the HR I met at job fair liked the way my resume felt (premium card paper).

Best of luck
Angi

15 November 2018 Helpful answer

Advisor

Tom Adam El Segundo, CA

Good morning, Ben. In addition to expanding your search into different regions (unless other factors require that you stay local), you might consider reviewing the kinds of companies that you've been applying to. Are they the type that do work on government programs, for example? Those might have more opportunities for you than those that don't. Spend time looking through Linked In, and see if those companies already have a noticeable number of veterans employed there.

15 November 2018 Helpful answer

Advisor

Michael Conway Huntsville, AL

Hey Ben,

Like Dan said, you shouldn't be having a hard time. I am a cybersecurity professional and we need folks. I transitioned form the Air Force and went along a similar path. While I was in, I got my BS and MS as well as CEH and Sec+. My first job was lucky as my personal network paid off there. Mind you, my Air Force job had nothing to do with computers or networks. Since then, I have done nothing else. I'd be happy to review your resume as I have been involved in the hiring process and have done many interviews as both an interviewee and interviewer.

Good luck,
Mike

15 November 2018 Helpful answer

Advisor

Dan Conn Arlington, VA

Hi Ben,
Given your degrees and certs, you shouldn't be having such difficulty getting into Systems Engineering and Cyber Security. Are you keeping your search local? I would also recommend having your resume reviewed by several sites to see if it can use some tweaks. MOAA and others provide resume review. Most companies are using software to sift resumes before a recruiter see them. If you don't hit some key words from the requisition, you sometimes get dropped from consideration. Another avenue is Networking where folks inside the company can refer you and track your application progress. Please check out https://jobs.raytheon.com/

15 November 2018 Helpful answer

Advisor

Drew Schildwächter Wilmington, NC

Ben: there are lots of programs to hire veterans into presales; this will get you past the HR screening void. Shoot me a message and we can talk more about your interests.

9 November 2018 Helpful answer

Veteran

Ben Sneyd Fuquay Varina, NC

Wow!

I can't say "thank you" enough for all of your responses. I thought I would be able to respond to each post individually (similar to LinkedIn), but I was wrong.

I responded to several people in DMs and I have been trying to leverage my network. However, this leads me to another question that I will be posting separately. It is: how do you navigate the job search when you have a job?

When I was separating, everyone knew it and posting on LinkedIn was not an issue. Now that I am employed...its seems like a completely different story...

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