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A cyber security specialist is responsible for protecting the IT infrastructure. They perform vulnerability scanning to identify weaknesses in the system. Additionally, they create policies and educate employees, so they use computer hardware and software safely. As a cyber security specialist, you should have excellent testing skills and knowledge of antiviruses. Therefore, it is worth mentioning those skills on your resume.
Penetration testing is a cyber security technique used for detecting vulnerabilities in websites and computer systems. Basically, it simulates a cyber attack to evaluate how strong the IT infrastructure is against these vulnerabilities. It is a highly used skill in cyber security, so it’s definitely worth mentioning it in your resume.
A cyber security specialist’s job doesn’t end with detecting vulnerabilities. They also need to implement solutions to protect the system. That’s why mitigation skills are so important in this role. Some cyber security analysts are also proficient at data recovery techniques which are used when data has been corrupted due to cyber attacks.
A cyber security specialist is integral to the creation of networks. They are less focused on training fellow employees for vulnerabilities and are more focused on system-wide security threats and incursions. As such, they are most important when a company is setting up their network in the first place.
At first glance, this resume looks very similar to the third resume example. Both are great examples of employees with 10+ years experience and advanced degrees. However, this resume highlights the job seeker’s ability to work well within an organization. They highlight excellent technical skills, but also their ability to train employees within the company on new security threats.
Just like the skill box, including the job title that you’re seeking will help defeat ATS filters as you have a matching job title to the one you're applying to (i.e. cyber security specialist). As an exercise, it will also function as a way to focus the data you put on your resume. You use this as the topic, and make sure that all data concretely supports this job title and experience.
As a hiring manager who has recruited at companies like Symantec, Palo Alto Networks, and Fortinet, I have reviewed hundreds of resumes for cyber security specialist positions. Based on my experience, I've compiled a list of tips that will help your resume stand out and increase your chances of landing an interview. These tips are specific to the cyber security industry and will help you showcase your skills and experience in the most effective way possible.
Cyber security specialists need a wide range of technical skills, so it's important to highlight them prominently on your resume. This includes:
Don't just list your skills and certifications; provide specific examples of how you've used them in your work. For example:
Conducted penetration testing using Metasploit and identified 15 critical vulnerabilities in client's network, resulting in a 50% reduction in potential attack surface.
A resume summary, also known as a professional summary or career summary, is an optional section that appears at the top of your resume. It provides a brief overview of your most relevant skills, experiences, and achievements tailored to the job you're applying for.
While a summary is not a mandatory section, it can be particularly useful if you're changing careers or have a diverse background that may not be immediately obvious from your work history alone. It allows you to highlight your transferable skills and explain how your unique combination of experiences makes you a strong candidate for the role.
However, it's important to note that you should never use an objective statement in place of a summary. Objective statements are outdated and focus on what you want from the employer, rather than what value you can bring to the company.
The work experience section is the core of your cyber security specialist resume. It's where you show hiring managers what you've accomplished in previous roles and how you can apply those skills to their company.
In this section, we'll break down the key steps to writing a strong work experience section that will grab the attention of recruiters and hiring managers.
When describing your work experience, use strong action verbs that are relevant to the cyber security industry. This helps paint a clear picture of your responsibilities and accomplishments.
Weak, generic verbs like "managed" or "handled" don't give much insight into what you actually did. Instead, try to use more specific verbs that are commonly used in cyber security, such as:
The education section of your cyber security specialist resume is where you show recruiters that you have the necessary training and knowledge for the role. It's an important section, so make sure you include the right information and format it well. Here are some tips for writing a strong education section:
The skills section of your cyber security specialist resume is critical to getting past Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and convincing hiring managers you're qualified. It's where you highlight your top technical skills, tools, and certifications.
In this section, we'll cover exactly what to include and avoid in your skills section, and share examples of how to format it effectively.
Here are examples of popular skills from Cyber Security Specialist job descriptions that you can include on your resume.
This word cloud highlights the important keywords that appear on Cyber Security Specialist job descriptions and resumes. The bigger the word, the more frequently it appears on job postings, and the more likely you should include it in your resume.
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