Taaseen M.’s Post

Reflecting on my recent experiences has been incredibly humbling. After 15 years in IT, including 10 years in cybersecurity as a Senior Cyber Security Engineer, I found myself laid off. As I approach the second month of unemployment, the mental and financial challenges are growing, compounded by a divorce last year. The constant worry about my future is taking a toll on my mental health, with foreclosure on my house and potential vehicle loss looming. The job market's shift has made it difficult for experienced professionals like me to find fitting roles. This experience highlights the unpredictability of our industry and the resilience needed. Professionally, I specialize in computer networking, cybersecurity principles, SOC operations, SIEM & SOAR tools, threat response, DLP and Insider Threat Detection experience. I bring strong interpersonal, time management, and problem-solving skills, with a focus on customer service. Sharing my story is not about self-pity but about connecting with others facing similar challenges and fostering support. Your advice, opportunities, or leads are greatly appreciated. #CyberSecurity #CareerJourney #Resilience #JobMarket #MentalHealth #SupportNeeded

Becoming a specialist is great, but be cautious about becoming too niche. I'd like first to explain why you should consider going super niche. If you want to do well in bug bounties, focusing on a specific vulnerability, mastering it, and repeating the process can make you a lot of money. However, being too niche in a job can have drawbacks in the broader cybersecurity field. For example, in some enterprises, teams can become so large that people aren't just limited to working in Application Security; there are positions dedicated to managing a single tool. This might sound appealing initially, but what happens if you've spent years managing one tool, and then that organisation moves away from it? Your skills may become less transferable, limiting your value to other organisations that still use that tool. Therefore, even if your role is very niche, I recommend broadening your skills outside of work. Here's why: 1. Discover New Interests: You might find something else you enjoy. 2. Future-Proof Your Career: Diversifying your skill set helps ensure your job security.

## I KNOW THE BUBBLE IS IN THE WRONG DIRECTION :( ## The Job Market is Flooded: Beware of False Promises The job market, especially in cybersecurity, is overwhelmed by applicants drawn in by promises like, "Join my course, and in just six months, you'll land a high-paying job—no experience required!" While these offers sound tempting, the reality is much different. Cybersecurity and other technical fields demand hands-on experience, critical thinking, and in-depth knowledge—none of which can be gained in just a few months. Many applicants find themselves underprepared, leading to disappointment, frustration, and a crowded job market filled with candidates lacking the necessary skills. For job seekers, it's crucial to be cautious of quick-fix courses and focus on genuine skills development. Employers should also adjust their hiring practices to assess applicants' real-world capabilities better. Real success requires time, effort, and dedication—no shortcuts exist. #JobMarketTrends #CybersecurityCareers #CareerDevelopment #RealSkillsMatter #JobSearch #JobTips #Hiring #CareerGrowth #Certifications #entryleveljobs #IT #cybersecurity

Dear Connections "Career Crossroads: Seeking Advice from you all As a cybersecurity professional with 24/7 operations experience, I'm feeling the strain of a lack of work-life balance. I'm now considering a move to a new domain, either within the cybersecurity sphere (GRC, compliance audits, data privacy, OT security) or a transition to the economic/financial sector. I'm eager to leverage my skills and experience in a new context, but I'm unsure which path to take. If you've made a similar career pivot or have expertise in these areas, I'd love to hear your thoughts! How can I best prepare for this transition? What skills should I focus on developing? What are the most in-demand skills in these new domains? Share your advice, experiences, and insights in the comments below! Let's explore new possibilities together! #cybersecurity #careeradvice #transition #economics #finance

Good advice for landing your first Cybersecurity job from someone who is part of hiring new grads.

Landing that first job in cybersecurity is TOUGH, and only getting tougher. Here’s a bit of food for thought regarding applying for jobs and landing that first gig— 1. You HAVE to think about and showcase your future potential as a worker. Craft your resume to highlight how you’ve grown in previous careers, and how you plan to transition that to a new industry. 2. Show employers just how strong of a drive you have. It’s not enough to simply get a single certification and assume you’ll get a job afterwards. What are you working towards next? How are you continuing to grow? 3. The hiring process is long, tedious, and takes away from everyone’s time that they could be using to do their actual job at a company. Show your interviewers that you’re looking to plant some roots, grow with the company, and potentially work your way up. 4. Think of yourself as an investment for a company. It again goes back to potential! You might not know everything right now, but is it obvious that you’ll continue to work hard and continuously learn? Are you teachable? If not…you need to start to realize that the cybersecurity industry is constantly evolving, and those who don’t continue to evolve with it will be left in the dust. Hope these few tips can help out all of y’all who are searching for jobs currently!

It is with a heavy heart that I have to announce that my role at Mission Critical Systems has been eliminated as of this week. Effective Immediately I am looking for work in the Security Consulting/Security Engineering/Incident Response spaces. I have 2 decades of IT experience with the past 4ish years being centered specifically around cybersecurity and IR work. It's a real bummer to be saying this after just returning on 11/15 from an amazing trip in Japan - but all the same I am requesting help from anyone that is able. If you can connect me to anyone feel free to link them or send them my profile privately. Resume available upon request. My LinkedIn will be updated by EOD today. In my previous roles I have typically been "the connector" or "the solver", often taking problems that get put set down and seeing them through to completion. I have helped fix relationships with no previous knowledge and have been told my presence "just helps calm people down." I have been a part of several ransomware incident engagements from both the client and the legal side, as well as implementing several different SaaS products in the network segmentation/SIEM + SOAR/EDR + MDR space and several other platforms that are outside of the cybersecurity space directly (like implementing ITIL PSA and CSM, telecommunications systems, networking equipment, server equipment, and more). What I am looking for in a workplace is long term placement and security. I hate to say it so simply, but the reality is it's the third year where I have been laid off right before the holidays for factors outside my control. I am looking for an employer that needs someone with skills that don't just fit one specific area and that allows me to be communicative. I ran my own business for almost 10 years, I am great at building relationships and helping palatize any typically-ignored information in a way that is easily digestible and memorable. I just want to be able to do good work for a good company that values me and that if times get tough are able to weather the storm with me in the same way I would with them if the tables were turned. Thanks to anyone that took the time to read - for now I will be doing my best to disconnect from social media for a couple days while I try and sort out the who/what/where, and maybe eventually the when and why. If you need to get a hold of me just email me (but I swear to god if one of you spams me you're going on the forever shitlist - which contains every company I will never do business with, reach out at your own risk sales people) chris@chrisfisher.tech

Reflecting on my job search journey... After months of applications, interviews, and moments of both excitement and disappointment, I wanted to share some honest thoughts: • The process can be emotionally draining, but it's also an opportunity for immense personal growth. • Each interaction teaches me something new about myself and what I truly want in my next role. • I'm learning to celebrate small wins, like positive feedback or making it to the next interview round. • Rejection stings, but I'm working on reframing it as redirection to better-fit opportunities. • The support of my #linkedln network has been invaluable - thank you to everyone who's offered advice or words of encouragement. While the search continues, I'm staying optimistic. I believe the right opportunity is out there, and this experience is preparing me to seize it when it comes. To fellow job seekers: Stay resilient. Your skills and potential are real, even when the search feels challenging. To my network: I'm open to opportunities in Soc analysis, threat hunting and Vulnerability Management. If you know of roles that might be a good fit, I'd be grateful for any leads or introductions. - I bring 5 years of information security experience. - I’m Security + Certified. - I have government approved Reliability Status Security clearance. - I’m fully incorporated in Canada. Alexandre BLANC Cyber Security Joas A Santos G M Faruk Ahmed, CISSP, CISA, CDCP Chris Roberts Gabrielle B. Sandra Liu David Meece Kevin Apolinario #JobSearch #CareerGrowth #Resilience #OpenToWork #cybersecurity

Ever feel like your career isn’t moving as fast as it should? You’re working hard, but the promotions, new opportunities, or fulfillment seem out of reach. What if the real issue is that you haven’t identified where you currently stand? How can you aim for growth without knowing your starting point? Assessing your current skills helps you spot the gaps and strengths in your toolkit. Once you know what you’re great at and what needs work, you can focus on building the exact skills that align with your goals. It’s the roadmap every ambitious professional needs. P.S. What’s one skill you think you need to level up to reach your next career milestone? --- 🔹 Follow and connect with Tested Cyber Talent and Dylan Williams to find your next security/IT job or to fill a role in your organization.

In the ever-evolving landscape of the job market, each of us carries a unique story. Today, I want to share mine—not just the successes, but the challenges that have shaped my journey. Over the past several months, I've been on the lookout for opportunities in cybersecurity, particularly in EDR, SASE, SSE (Zscaler) and optimization. With a decade of IT experience under my belt, I'm eager to contribute to a team that values innovation and security. Yet, the path hasn't been straightforward. The search has been a test of patience and perseverance, as roles that align with my skills and experience have been elusive. This period has not only been a professional challenge but also a personal one, as financial pressures mount and the quest for meaningful work continues. But I believe in turning obstacles into stepping stones. I'm using this time to refine my skills, expand my knowledge, and connect with professionals who share my passion for technology and security. To my network: if you know of opportunities in cybersecurity or have insights on securing funding for a business venture, I'd be grateful for your advice. Let's connect and support each other in our professional endeavors. #JobSearch #Cybersecurity #Resilience #CareerGrowth #Networking