Is Cybersecurity Jobs Overcrowded in 2024? (My Current Situation😭)

5 min readJan 23, 2024

Hi, Ajak Amico’s welcome back to another blog. As I mentioned in the previous blog, I am currently searching for jobs in the UK for cybersecurity analysts, penetration testers, and digital forensics investigators. So, I am going to share what is currently happening in my job area. This blog is not to scare anyone but just to educate about what is happening right now in this industry. Before starting, if you haven’t subscribed to our channel, do subscribe, guys. Contents related to cyber security, Bug Bounty, and Digital Forensics Investigation.👇

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What is My Qualification?

“So, many will have this doubt about what qualification basis I am applying for jobs in the UK. Here it is:

I completed my Bachelor’s in Computer Science Engineering with a specialization in cybersecurity in India.
And Now completed my Master’s in Digital Forensics Investigation in the UK at Staffordshire University.
This means I am a Fresher only with Freelancing experience and jobless too right now 🥲.

As a master’s graduate student in the UK, I am seeking jobs in specific roles such as cybersecurity analysts, penetration testers, and digital forensics investigator.”

What Really happens when I apply for jobs?

“Okay, I have applied for at least 300 jobs from last November 2023 to January 2024 using LinkedIn, Indeed, and Glassdoor. Guess what? I only received 101 responses, all stating, ‘We can’t move forward with your application.’ 12 applications were selected for round 2, and 3 Applications for round 3.

What do Recruiters expect?

As of my knowledge, there is a drastic crowd in cybersecurity in 2024. During 2018, people didn’t even have knowledge about these specialization domains, but now it is huge! Due to its demand. Now, this is what recruiters are expecting from us, especially in the UK.

Basic Experience: Minimum of 1–2 Years.
Expecting achievements, e.g., Hall of Fame.
Certifications mandatory (OSCP, XRY, PNPT, CISSP).
Nationality issues, and SC clearance such as stating ‘Minimum stay in UK for least 3 years’💀.

You may ask, ‘What about your case?’ Well, I have freelancing experience with a necessary Hall of Fame and certification. But still, I only get rejection emails, and no feedback has been provided for that.

Other real-life experience in getting a job.

I thought this scenario was only for me, but that’s not the case. All my friends who completed their master’s and are expecting an entry-level job with no experience are facing the same scenario in the UK. To be honest, due to the high level of student intake from 2022 and 2023, many people face this issue. I will share an incident now.

My friend was also searching for network engineer jobs. She applied for some higher positions since she had 2 years of experience. After hundreds of rejections, she only got a job as an entry-level candidate. So the Recrutment company expect more from us.

I thought this scenario was only in the UK, but when I contacted my friend in India, he too, gave some real shits.

My friend applied for jobs as a fresher in the cybersecurity domain. He has an excellent Hall of Fame from many highly reputable companies but got rejected for not having a cybersecurity certification, i.e., CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker).

How do you land on jobs then?

Now, based on my research and experience, I’ll share insights on how to secure jobs in the cybersecurity field:

Job Referral: I have heard from many people only job referrals will help you to land on some good jobs, so here, networking with people is very important.
Certifications: Recruiters often expect candidates to have relevant certifications. It’s advisable to pursue certifications in your domain.
Internships: To progress step by step, consider doing internships or freelancing services. These experiences can instantly boost your resume.
Apply as a Technician/Volunteer: At the entry-level, it’s beneficial to apply for technician or volunteer positions in the cyber domain. Gain practical experience, and then you can confidently apply for entry-level jobs, increasing your chances of landing a cybersecurity job.

Conclusion:

In the UK, it’s tough for freshers to find jobs due to a competitive job market caused by inflation, recession, and many students pursuing masters. I’m currently facing this challenge but staying hopeful about landing a job soon. Building connections with people is essential in job hunting. Getting basic certifications in your field can also make you stand out among competitors. Last but not least,

For people who come to the UK straight upon completing their undergraduate to pursue their master’s, I will say it will not be a good idea. Here, all they expect is some basic experience in your domain. Have 2–3 years of experience, then apply for a master’s in the UK, and it would be easier to get a job.

Hope you would have learned some information from this blog If so, kindly press the follow button for further updates. If you have any queries regarding cybersecurity, bug bounty, and digital forensics, kindly ping me on my Instagram. The link is pinned below: @ajak_cybersecurity_official. Best wishes from Ajak Cybersecurity.❤️

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