EP 89: Getting My First Job in Cybersecurity with Ayub Yusuf

EP 89: Getting My First Job in Cybersecurity with Ayub Yusuf

Author: Kip Boyle February 3, 2023 Duration: 30:01

https://www.yourcyberpath.com/89/

In this episode our host, Jason, interviews Ayub (@WhiteCyberDuck) about how he got into the Cybersecurity industry

This time we go over a very common case where people tend to study something in college that does not relate to Cybersecurity and then shift over to the Cyber world after graduation.

Ayub mentions that you are going to have to deal with a lot of silence and rejections when applying for your first job and that it took him 134 applications to get only 5 interviews.

A CTF or Capture the Flag is a special kind of information security competition. There are three common types of CTFs: Jeopardy, Attack-Defence and mixed. Those can be really useful to hone your practical skills as well as your teamwork abilities and can show your future employer that you are able of working alone as well as in a team

Jason and Ayub go over resumes and how you should go about creating a master resume and then tailoring this template to suit each job application.

You should always make sure to do a lot of networking and show interest in the community to be able to build a network of people who could be future employers or simply just help you throughout your cybersecurity careers.

Ayub also mentions that a lot of people make the mistake of paying lots of money for very expensive boot camps when they could easily learn these skills on youtube or other free platforms.

In the end You should always remember to not get frustrated especially when trying to get your first job, because it always gets easier as you progress your experience.

What You’ll Learn

●    What kind of CTFs should you do?

●    Should you use the same resume for all your job applications?

●    How can you make a name for yourself in the Cybersecurity world?

●    What are some examples for low cost training?

Relevant Websites For This Episode

●   https://ctftime.org/

●   https://www.antisyphontraining.com/soc-core-skills-w-john-strand/

●   https://www.meetup.com/topics/cybersecurity/

Other Relevant Episodes

●   Episode 61 - Skills-based Certification and Training with John Strand

●   Episode 64 - How I Got My First Cybersecurity Analyst Job with Sebastian Whiting



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 96: SDP 1 (Least Privilege) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:01
https://www.yourcyberpath.com/96/ In this episode, we unpack the first of the Security Design Principles, Least Privilege. If you have never heard of it before, Least Privilege is the act of giving a person the most mini…
EP 95: The Cybersecurity Student Perspective with Sam Bodine [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:49
https://www.yourcyberpath.com/95/ In the beginning, our hosts Jason Dion and Kip Boyle talk a little bit about their new company Akylade, which is going to provide affordable cybersecurity training. They discuss their in…
EP 94: Ten Security Design Principles (SDP) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:10
https://www.yourcyberpath.com/94/ To start off this episode, our hosts go on a short chat about ChatGPT and how it can be useful for cybersecurity professionals and job hunters. They also highlight the difference between…
EP 93: CyberWIDE Panel - LevelUp - InfoSec Certifications Soup [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:27:52
https://www.yourcyberpath.com/93/ In this special episode, we are going to share with you a live webinar hosted by the North Texas Information Systems Security Association. They invited our own Jason Dion and Kip Boyle f…
EP 92:  Password Managers [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:11
https://www.yourcyberpath.com/92/ In this short episode, our hosts Jason Dion and Kip Boyle discuss the critically important topic of password managers. In the beginning, Jason quickly describes password managers, their…
EP 91: Mobile Device Security  with Haseeb Awan [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:09
https://www.yourcyberpath.com/91/ Haseeb Awan is the Founder & CEO at EFANI Secure Mobile. In this episode, we'll hear about Haseeb's cyber path, and we'll explore some of the biggest mobile phone risks and what you can…
EP 90: How to Get Your First Job as a Pentester with Chris Horner [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:09
https://www.yourcyberpath.com/90/ In this episode our host Jason Dion goes over the very exciting topic of how to get your first job as a Pentester with Chris Horner, banking expert turned Security engineer and Penetrati…
EP 88: The CIA Triad - The Basis of Cybersecurity (Authentication) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:12
https://www.yourcyberpath.com/88/ In this episode we arrive at the end of our five-part series talking about the CIA NA Pentagram, this time discussing the last pillar, Authentication. Authentication is always associated…
EP 87: The CIA Triad - The Basis of Cybersecurity (Nonrepudiation) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:19
https://www.yourcyberpath.com/87/ In the fourth video of this five-part series discussing the CIA-NA pentagram, Kips and Jason talk about nonrepudiation. In simple terms, nonrepudiation means you can't say you didn't do…
EP 86: The CIA Triad - The Basis of Cybersecurity (Availability) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:17
https://www.yourcyberpath.com/86/ In this episode, Kip and Jason discuss everything that makes the A in the CIA Triad, Availability. Availability is when you like to use a system and it's there ready for you to use, beca…