Advice for getting my foot in the door

klarko

Hey guys, I know we get a lot of posts like this but I honestly feel lost and for most of the things I have read they haven't applied.

My background/resume:
Attended a state university for network security
Took and passed the Security+ exam in late Sept.
Roughly a year experience in Network/Computer Administration, 3x 4 month summer job experience (2012-2015)

I have a big hole in my resume for work experience and just 1 cert/1yr experience hasn't been enough for me to get my foot in the door yet.

Been searching for around 2-3 weeks now but only get hits from recruiters, on contract jobs and I'd prefer to not go that route if possible. Ideally I would love to find a job as Jr. Pen tester but my area looks rather scarce outside of security analyst jobs and senior job positions.

So what I am seeking advice on what should be my next move:
1. Get another cert. I was told SSCP would be a good next step but its very similar to sec+ and probably wouldn't make a difference if I added it. Also looked at CEH, i know I know the cert gets a bad wrap but most "cert progression" charts had it on for offensive minded security. However I didnt know it required 2 years exp + $100 "application" fee. GIAC is out of the question due to price. Since I just got my sec+ exam I feel like I could knock out most exams in under 2 months.
Can anyone help me out and suggest what a good next cert would be? Or maybe if the SSCP is best just a little insight on why.

2. Take any entry security level job in the area. I would hope to avoid getting entry level job as I already have some experience in that and I don't feel like I have the patience for help desk to be honest.

3. Relocate. A more expensive option but with more job opportunities. Currently about 45 minutes south of Milwaukee wisconsin, where I am right now kind of limits my driving choices--- and don't want to run the wheels off my older vehicle if possible. I have a girlfriend who really wants me to move down to the Houston area and a quick job search turned up a large number of security jobs, including entry/intermediate ones.

4. Look into government security jobs. I didn't really think I would ever go into this type of thing but its not the worst idea in the world in my current spot as I already have the Security+ cert but I am not positive what else I would need.

Ideally I would like to get a job asap but I feel like another cert would help strengthen my resume, currently I am self studying Kali linux+ tools and python hard. I really have a passion for learning and it sucks feeling like I cant even get my foot in the door yet but I have heard its not easy.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

TheFORCE

The pen-testing field is really competitive and you do not have the necessary experience or exposure to the field yet to hold a junior pen-tester position. You have to start entry level, sorry to say that. Sec+ is an entry level certification. Your best best would be to go CEH route or get another certs like Net+ or CCNA to expand your options to those entry level positions. Move to where your girlfriend is for yet another expansion of the available roles.
On a side note, you opened this account in 2012 and only have 2 posts including the above. To me that seems like you might not be very passionate about IT. Everyone has to pay their dues in life and in the work place, when you cant break into the field you want right away, you need to find alternative paths. I worked as Helpdesk earlier in my career, i am not a Security Officer at a large company. You have to make small steps, considering all the competition out there.

Danielm7

Security isn't typically an entry level role, I'm not even sure that 3x 4 month summer internships over a few years even counts as a year of working experience for most hiring managers. If you could get find your option #2 in your area I'd jump on that in a heartbeat. As TheFORCE mentioned, unless you have a skillset you didn't mention in your post, you aren't qualified for a pentest position yet. You've got a long career ahead of you, entry level jobs help build a good foundation early on, if you could get into something like a jr analyst position you'll be in a great position to move upward.

koz24

Option #3 is a pretty good idea. I don't know much about Wisconsin but it doesn't sound like a tech hotbed. I know they make cheese up there and the Packers are from there but that's about it.

Your girlfriend is coming with you? Cool man, your'e good to go. Dallas is probably better, but Houston works too.

Government security jobs means government clearances. Secret top secret blah blah blah. Make sure you have good credit and your neighbors like you.

tru504187211

I would agree...in SE Wisconsin, you won't find a ton of junior security-related positions. However, if you are 45 mins south of here, you are close enough to try your luck in Chicago-land...which I hear is a hotbed for the infosec field.

I know there are folks here on the forum that do infosec in that area...and could probably give you a more in depth answer.

But...as others will say, getting IT experience in the other areas (networking, hardware, administration, etc.) will create a broader base for you to pile your infosec abilities on top of.

shochan

Don't be afraid to accept a contract job. Usually if you show good work ethic, they will offer you a full time position if they want to keep you, so don't limit yourself...at least talk to those recruiters. Also, keep in mind, contractors usually make more moola than the full time employees anyway, so that is another positive.

You might go ahead & get your A+ too, I know it is an entry level cert, however, it is an important one (IMO). If you like security, go after the CEH or CASP (if you are looking for govt job, because it doesn't require an endorsement like CISSP does).

You can check with a govt recruiter called ISCI, they have a few IT gov jobs. www.teamisci.com

Cheers! Best of luck!

klarko

Thanks for all the advice guys! I think any anxiety I have regarding my job will quickly be alleviated once I actually get my foot in the door.

Mike R

I live in Houston and recently broke into the IT field. It was a career change for me so I didn't have a lot of experience. I had a A+ (big deal I know) and beginning Cisco knowledge on my way to a CCNA. I sent out a lot of resumes with no hits, until at one point I had 3 interviews.

If you have a BS in IT you shouldn't have a hard time with a job down here. Houston is constantly growing, I'm on the north side and new businesses are constantly being built. Cost of living is really reasonable and cheaper than Wisconsin (I used to operate a dairy farm just ouside Marshfield WI).

Your probably going to have to bite the bullet and take on something help desk/Tier 1 related. The magic number is really 3 years of experience in the field from all the research I've done. I'm doing everything from help desk and cabling to troubleshooting servers and networks. There are a million MSPs down here.

If you want some more info about down here shoot me a PM and we can chat more.