[zx10guy]

Originally Posted by NorCalAthlete

1. I never said it would be easy, just that they're big enough and flexible enough to take chances on people - startups may not due to urgent deadlines and a need to produce to stay afloat.

2. CCNA and other Cisco certs would definitely help not just at Cisco but any company - Cisco certs are sort of the gold standard for cybersecurity and networks. I think something like 80% of the industry goes off of Cisco certs, I could be wrong on that but yeah.

And I'm telling you the chances of anyone including the OP to find an entry level job at Cisco in today's climate is pretty much nil. The only way he'll get an entry level job is to get into some sort of inside sales rep job; which is not very technical. All the technical positions Cisco will want to fill are at the senior level. This is not the dot com era where if you can spell IT you would get a chance. I also mentioned the restructuring going on. I've never seen so many people take the package or leave (either on their on accord or being forced out) since interacting with Cisco as I'm seeing now.

If anyone can get an entry level job with Cisco....bravo. But I'm just putting a dose of realism into this as someone that knows what's currently going on internally there.

[Tommy-G]

MoeTE87 I don't know your business at all but the best success I ever had was my vendors. In the Autobody role, I called my paint sales people, the tool trucks that come around shop to shop, insurance adjusters and anyone who had a relationship with multiple businesses talking with the employees.

It just so ended up my paint saleswoman had already pitched my name to our dealer group and I was able to reach out to them before the position was even available bc she had insider info. AND it's luckily been the best place of employment ever

[DETRoadster]

MoeTE87 , sorry to hear about the challenges finding work. I agree with these other guys that you need to be open to more things. While you are upset that hiring managers are looking for the "purple unicorn" (We call them purple squirrels out here on the West coast) its sounds like you might just be looking for the purple unicorn of jobs. it goes both ways.

Unfortunately I think you are seeing the results of COVID in the job market. Companies lost or laid off a ton of workers. Yes, they are recovering and re-hiring, but they also realized that while they have a position to fill they have also gotten along OK without it all this time. So managers are in no real hurry to hire for these non-service industry jobs. Same thing happened at the end of the 2008 recession when business finally came back to life but managers were slow to fill spots.

[TheWatchGuy]

Originally Posted by Fritzer

You guys know porn and pictures of pretty girls are readily available across the internet, for free, right?

sure but the head of the PTA isnt on the hub like she is on onlyfans

[Fritzer]

Originally Posted by TheWatchGuy

sure but the head of the PTA isnt on the hub like she is on onlyfans

One of the other parents at your kid's school has an onlyfans!?

[MoeTE87]

Originally Posted by DETRoadster

MoeTE87 , sorry to hear about the challenges finding work. I agree with these other guys that you need to be open to more things. While you are upset that hiring managers are looking for the "purple unicorn" (We call them purple squirrels out here on the West coast) its sounds like you might just be looking for the purple unicorn of jobs. it goes both ways.

Unfortunately I think you are seeing the results of COVID in the job market. Companies lost or laid off a ton of workers. Yes, they are recovering and re-hiring, but they also realized that while they have a position to fill they have also gotten along OK without it all this time. So managers are in no real hurry to hire for these non-service industry jobs. Same thing happened at the end of the 2008 recession when business finally came back to life but managers were slow to fill spots.

Hey DETRoadster, I don't think I am being the purple unicorn when it comes to looking at jobs. I only have a few boxes that need to be checked, then everything else I am willing to look at and explore. I'm not going to settle and just take a job to take a job. I need to make sure it's the right fit for myself.

For example, I turned down an offer as a Project manager for an aerospace company this past Monday because the hours are from 7am-430pm with a 30-40min commute one way. That wouldn't work with my families schedule since I have a 4 year old and my wife travels a lot for her work. Pay was good though. I even reached out to the Owner of the company and tried to see if there was a way I could work in a hybrid role but he came back and said due to the type of work they do, I would need to be there on site every day. It would of been a great job and great experience to have but I needed more schedule flexibility, which in my case, I can't really compromise on right now.

[MoeTE87]

Originally Posted by Kooch

I feel your pain. My role (SVP at a bank) was eliminated in February. I just landed a new gig last Monday, but spent the time since Feb looking. Same thing on my end, lots of great conversations followed by ghosting was standard operating in my experience. Best results I found were in my network. Who you know and how well you know them, and close you stay in contact make all the difference. Some processes take awhile but agree that the recruiting process itself stinks right now.

My recommendations include some of the other mentioned approaches, but I would add looking into consulting. While it may mean travel, there are fully remote opportunities. You would get to see a number of companies, industries, etc and would build a strong resume for the future. You can look into big four firms or also some of the smaller boutique firms that specialize in security. Going that direction given you have knowledge, experience and certifications would just require that you have enough social maturity to be able to speak to clients, understand their needs and provide advice / or help them fix.

Glad you were able to find something. Is it still in the banking industry? Do you mind sharing which bank you previously worked for? (you can send me a private message too).

I have been reaching out deeper into my network and have been getting some good feedback this week. I know it all will take time but I never thought it would take this long.

I will look into your suggestions and see what is out there. I do plan on getting some certs here soon to better position myself to land a good job.

[chassis]

Originally Posted by MoeTE87

Good afternoon All,

On May 7th of this year I was relived of my duties at my previous employer, due to them moving my job to a different city (2hrs away) for a more pressing need by the market leadership of that city. I did not take the relocation as I have my family here in Cincinnati and couldn't make the move. I worked for a top 5 bank for over 7 years.

My previous role I was a Sr. Regional Physical Security manager. I was the project manager for over 25 projects at any given time for the bank, across the Midwest / eastern USA foot print. (multi million dollar projects). I made sure our corporate sites and branches were within govt and bank security standards along with completing other Risk Assessments to keep the govt happy. Among other duties as well..

This is my last resort (to post on here for help) as I feel like I have exhausted a lot of my resources. I went online and took 5 cybersecurity classes and received "certificate of completions" for them to better help myself in the field to land a new job.

I have had a decent amount of interviews and received a few offers but nothing that has fully checked my boxes.

I am looking for a 100% remote role or even a hybrid role. I have been applying to: cyber security, project manager, product manager and digital analytics but open to other fields as well.

I have been on job posting sites religiously and have been using LinkedIn every day to get my name out there to make valuable contacts.

I have been ghosted by hiring managers and HR reps after conducting the first few interviews. From what I have been told by some close friends, it's not uncommon as they are looking for the so called ..."Purple Unicorn"...which doesn't exist. I feel that my interviews have gone very well and felt like I did a great job answering all of their questions.

Not looking for a pity party but I do believe that I can bring a lot to the table, if given the chance.

If there are any suggestions on what I should do, my ears are open.

Thank you!

Try Procter and Gamble, the Cincinnati airport, or the Bengals/Reds organizations.

[VAcurler]

Since you have no prior experience, you really should be looking locally for someone to give you a chance. The only way I'd hire a remote PM or a remote cybersecurity professional is if I know them to be good at the their job via someone I trust vouching for them. Our entry level cyber people all have to go into the office everyday which simply to learn from others and to prove that they can "adult".

So looking for a 100% remote opportunity for an entry level IT position is going to be tough but good luck. You might get lucky.

You can't get a PMP or a CISSP without job experience doing the work so if you are trying to get an entry level look at AWS certifications. I've got all 3. The PMP says I can take a test. The CISSP says I have 5 years of experience and know a little bit about everything. The AWS ones say I can memorize stuff long enough to pass an exam designed to make me pass the exam.

Good luck. Things are slowly changing where people can call their shots, but it is a lot easier when you can say I did that exact thing six months ago.

[MoeTE87]

Originally Posted by VAcurler

Since you have no prior experience, you really should be looking locally for someone to give you a chance. The only way I'd hire a remote PM or a remote cybersecurity professional is if I know them to be good at the their job via someone I trust vouching for them. Our entry level cyber people all have to go into the office everyday which simply to learn from others and to prove that they can "adult".

So looking for a 100% remote opportunity for an entry level IT position is going to be tough but good luck. You might get lucky.

You can't get a PMP or a CISSP without job experience doing the work so if you are trying to get an entry level look at AWS certifications. I've got all 3. The PMP says I can take a test. The CISSP says I have 5 years of experience and know a little bit about everything. The AWS ones say I can memorize stuff long enough to pass an exam designed to make me pass the exam.

Good luck. Things are slowly changing where people can call their shots, but it is a lot easier when you can say I did that exact thing six months ago.

I appreciate you being honest. I do have over 7 years of Project management experience.

Also, I do plan on getting some certifications to help me along in the process. I know it's not going to happen over night but I am willing to put forth the effort to get to where I need to be in a few years. Just need to get my foot in the door and I know I can do the rest.

[VAcurler]

Originally Posted by MoeTE87

I appreciate you being honest. I do have over 7 years of Project management experience.

Sorry I missed that part as was focusing on the physical security and the desire to move into cyber. Since you are a PM I would suggest joining PMI and your local PMI chapter and getting your PMP. With 7 years experience you can sit for the exam and for some reason remote recruiters like to see it. It also open the door for Federal work if that is of interest (as a contractor).

https://careercenter.pmi.org/jobs/re...,+oh?radius=25

[VAcurler]

Also the gold standard for learning enough to pass the PMP used to be Rita Mulcahy:
https://store.rmcproject.com/pmp-exa...SAAEgIg3_D_BwE

[CTinline-six]

Originally Posted by TheWatchGuy

sure but the head of the PTA isnt on the hub like she is on onlyfans

[upstatedoc]

Has this thread helped you in any way?