EP 58: How to Get Hired With No Experience

EP 58: How to Get Hired With No Experience

Author: Kip Boyle November 26, 2021 Duration: 47:06

https://www.yourcyberpath.com/58

In this episode, we’re going to learn how one person was able to overcome the catch-22 of getting a cybersecurity job when you don’t have experience, but you cannot get experience because no one will hire you. 

Our guest, Ed Skipka, a professional vulnerability management analyst, shares his personal experience of how he overcame this catch-22 and provides some great recommendations for others who find themselves in this same position. 

So, how does someone get the position if you didn't already have experience?

During the interview, Ed answers this by talking about how he landed that first IT job. Many of our listeners struggle with getting their first job, and hearing how others have navigated this challenge in the hiring process can help you get some ideas that you can apply to your own job search.

Ed shares his certification experience and the different positions he chosein order to land his first “real” cybersecurity role. Ed went from zero experience and working in a bike shop to being a vulnerability management analyst in 18 months. His story shows that you can break through the catch-22 through certifications, networking, and your own personal ambition.

Ed also talks about how he wanted to move up within his current company, but when there were no roles for him there he didn't give up and landed a position at a new company. 

The moral of Ed’s story is that even if you are "just" working a field service role, you never know where your NEXT role is going to come from, so always impress your bosses, your customers, and those you interact with daily. Network, network, network.

Relevant Websites For This Episode


Navigating a career in cybersecurity can feel like a maze without a clear map. Your Cyber Path: How to Get Your Dream Cybersecurity Job, hosted by Kip Boyle, cuts through the noise by focusing on the perspective of the people who actually make hiring decisions. This isn't just generic advice; it's a direct line to understanding what employers are truly looking for in candidates, from entry-level roles to advanced positions. Each episode delves into the practical, often unspoken, steps needed to build your skills, craft your resume, and ace interviews in this competitive field. You'll hear concrete strategies for bridging the gap between where you are now and that ideal job, all framed within the broader contexts of business, technology, and personal growth. Tune into this podcast for honest conversations that translate complex career pathways into actionable plans, helping you move forward with confidence. Whether you're considering a pivot or aiming to advance, the guidance here is rooted in real-world hiring dynamics, making it a valuable resource for anyone serious about building a future in cybersecurity.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Your Cyber Path: How to Get Your Dream Cybersecurity Job
Podcast Episodes
EP 116 - What's next after season 2? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:49
What's next after season 2? About this Episode In the grand wrap-up of season two of the podcast 'Your Cyber Path', hosts Kip Boyle and Jason Dion reflect on their four-year podcast journey. They also reveal that for the…
EP 115 - SDP 10: Separation of Privileges [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:46
SDP 10: Separation of Privileges About this Episode In this episode of the Your CyberPath podcast, Kip Boyle and Jason Dion delve into the concept of the separation of privilege as a vital component of their series on se…
EP 114 - NIST CSF Versus The Top 18 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:07
About this episode In this episode, Kip Boyle and Jason Dion discuss the importance of cybersecurity in the current digital landscape and focus on comparing two different standards: The NIST Cybersecurity Framework and t…
EP 113 - SDP 9 Least common Mechanism [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 13:43
In this episode, Kip and Jason cover the Security Design Principle of “Least Common Mechanism”. The Lease Common Mechanism is the ninth security design principle and focuses on how you can best protect older, legacy syst…
EP 112 - Listeners' Questions [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:07:16
https://www.yourcyberpath.com/112/ In this episode, Kip and Jason jump into answer questions directly from our listeners! We share valuable advice and insights into starting and advancing in the cybersecurity field by ad…
EP 111:  SDP 8 Open Design [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:34
https://www.yourcyberpath.com/111/ In this episode, Kip and Jason delve into the specific security design principle of Open Design. Open Design does not equate to open-source software but refers to transparency in reveal…
EP 110: Am I too old to work in Cybersecurity [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:04
https://www.yourcyberpath.com/110/ In this episode, hosts Kip Boyle and Jason Dion discuss the topic of ageism in cybersecurity careers. They address a listener's question about whether it is too late for a career change…
EP 109: SDP 7: Complete Mediation [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:42
https://www.yourcyberpath.com/109/ In this episode, we are returning to the Security Design Principles series, this time with Complete Mediation. Complete mediation means the system checks the user trying to access a fil…
Episode 108: Self-Care [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:27
https://www.yourcyberpath.com/108/ In this episode, we discuss a critically important topic which is Selfcare. Cybersecurity is a great career, however it is not 100% stress free, burning out and working yourself into ob…
EP 107: SDP 6: Fail-safe Defaults [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:55
https://www.yourcyberpath.com/107/ In this episode, we go back to the Security Design Principles series, this time we are discussing Failsafe Defaults. Failsafe defaults simply means that the default condition of a syste…