Veterans have spent the first part of their careers helping keep their country safe, so as they make the transition to the private sector, security jobs are a natural choice. Government cybersecurity jobs, specifically, can be a great Veteran career option. Between 2009 and 2015, job postings in the cybersecurity market have increased by 74%.
Jobs in this field include occupations such as:
Jobs are available both in the private sector and the public sector. Cybersecurity professionals can work in the Treasury Department, for security companies, for federal authorities, and across many other organizations.
If you have a college diploma and experience in the security or cybersecurity field, then you have an advantage. About 84% of jobs in this sector require a college degree. Many of the employment opportunities are in the Washington, DC, area, since that’s where many cybersecurity jobs for government organizations are located.
The opportunities for employment and salaries are great in this field. Veterans who enter cybersecurity can make $70,000 to $118,000 on average. Specific salary amounts, however, will depend on job experience, job position, and a variety of other factors.
By 2019, forecasts estimate that there will be a need for 6 million cybersecurity professionals worldwide, with a labor shortage of about 1.5 million. The scarcity of professionals can mean the cybersecurity jobs salary outlook will be even brighter, but it doesn’t mean the competition will be any less. Companies will still need to hire carefully to get the results they want, which means you’ll need to create job applications that get results.
Cybersecurity resumes are not like other resumes. If you’re a Veteran, you may have secured your college degree before cybersecurity degrees were even an option. Your degree may be in computer sciences, engineering, or another field. If this is the case, you’ll want to emphasize your technical background and your practical experience with software, devices, and teams. You’ll want to list any relevant technical certifications while also showcasing “soft” skills like leadership, creativity, and teamwork.
If you want to get into the cybersecurity field, you’ll also want a separate cybersecurity resume for government jobs and a separate resume for the private sector. A private-sector resume will be much shorter and will highlight your most relevant skills and experience in bullet points. A federal government cybersecurity resume, on the other hand, can be four to five pages long. You have room to outline accomplishments, skills, and contributions in a much more detailed paragraph form.
If you want to make a positive impression on recruiters to improve your chances of landing a rewarding position after your military service, don’t leave your resume to chance. CareerProPlus’ cybersecurity resume writers can help. For more than two decades, we have been helping Veterans pursue civilian and government jobs. As a full-service career management solution, CareerProPlus offers career training, coaching, and resume-writing services. If you want to land a great career, contact us to find out how many of our clients are able to land interviews after working with us.