Job Hunting advice?

Robertf969

OK so here's the deal. I get out of the Army in 10 months and I am terrified. I am a 25U which is a signal support system specialist. The main focus of my job is Radio communications but I have been trying to immerse myself in the networking side as much as possible to prepare for my transition. I have an AAST in IT, Net +, Sec+, and most recently CISSP. I would love to get a position in IT security. But as I look at job postings the requirements are vast. I technically have about 7 years experience but I'm worried that a lot of that experience doesn't transition well into the civilian work force. I should have my BS in IT with a focus on Network Management complete early 2016. A lot of my experience sounds impressive on paper but I think I need to find a more entry level position before I can feel comfortable. Does anyone have any experience they can share about what types of positions I might qualify for or where I should be looking?

techfiend

Challenge yourself! New jobs are overwhelming at first, if they aren't you probably aren't advancing. In a lot of aspects I see IT requires a certain mindset and procedures. If you are instructed to work on a device you've never worked on and the only info you are giving is how to access it, can you complete your job in a timely manner without asking others? If you can, you are the right person for the job.

Xavor

I was also in a radio related field in the Navy. Translating the skillset can be difficult, but you have some very solid certifications.

I assume you have a clearance and have worked with crypto?

I don't know enough about your job to give specific advice on the transition, but anywhere you go there is a certain amount of onboarding involved when you start a job. You're doing the right thing by lining up a job now before you get out.

I'd apply to junior networking jobs to get used to the civilian way of doing things. Look for positions that say 3 years of experience and get in there for a year or two to adjust. Then, you can take the leap into a pure infosec role if you still want to do that.

Robertf969

Yes I have a clearance and have worked with crypto. I think my main concern is getting somewhere and they expect me to know a lot more than I do. It's really hard to get canned in the Military but it's quite easy to get canned in the civilian world

Xavor

DC is a hotspot for jobs. I was stationed in Hawaii, but I did not look for work locally. I found transferring skills to be very difficult, but my job was heavily based in radio and less in IT at the time.

Look up websites with examples for translating military to civilian. Civilian job postings are not accurate for the position. If you see a job that requires a CISSP, I would apply. It could be a job where they need a guy to do the paperwork, and there is little to do with IT other than ensuring contractors comply with stated regulations.

overthetop

Most jobs don't throw you in the water and see if you will sink or swim. As long as you don't apply for any position that you are in charge like a Supervisor type I think you'll be ok. If you apply for a leadership position usually they want to know if you suck or not the first week and If you can/will be replaced. The thing about coming in as a supervisor the guy/gals that's been working at the site for years probably wanted the supervisor spot and didn't get it, so if the newbie comes in they better know the ins and outs. Other than that, you'll be ok

anhtran35

You have a clearance and a CISSP??? You can write your own check. Put the word out asap. Prepare to be swamped by all recruiters.

earonw49

Don't give up!

Don't feel intimidated by high yearly requirements. If you know what you are worth and if you know your skills then apply for jobs that will match your skills plus more in order to challenge you. This includes whether its an entry or mid level position.

LOCATION LOCATION LOCATION. Xavor made an excellent point in going to DC. Your certs and active clearence will make you stand out so fast, by a HUGE amount. Of course if you do your research, there are other places in the US that have floods of IT Security opportunities as well (DC is almost, if not number one). You need to be scared at all!

Also take note of what @anhtean35 has said. Experience bundled with a Sec+ , CISSP and a secret clearnce combo will attract so many recruiters. Their reaction will be similar to flies on a carcass (for lack of a better analogy).

Last but not least, finish that degree!

Good luck and many blessings!