Cyber Security Job Fair Tips: What You Need to Know!

Job fairs might seem intimidating, but they are an excellent place for students to make connections, network, and see firsthand what their industry is looking for. No matter what your level of cyber security education or experience with employment, the prospect of meeting future employers can be daunting. Here are some tips to make a good impression and learn as much as you can during your time at the fair.

Go to the Job Fair

This might seem obvious, but sometimes it's not. Students might think they shouldn't attend a job fair until they have graduated or are a few months away from their diploma. Others think they will do better by blindly applying for jobs using massive online job searches. But whether you've just taken your first class in cyber security or you're a few months away from walking the stage, you should take every opportunity you can to network and see what qualities and skills companies are looking for in their future employees.

Meeting recruiters in person can help give you an edge when it comes to applying for jobs. You're no longer a resume, you're a person with a face and a personality. In addition, companies sometimes hire entry-level positions where you can gain experience while you're in school and start working before you have your diploma in hand. In a world where experience is important to being hired, beginning your career path while still a student is a great idea.

Dress Appropriately and be Prepared

This is the first time you could be meeting a representative from your future employer. Make your best impression by dressing professionally and looking neat. Also, be sure to bring copies of your resume and business cards to hand out to anyone who is looking for someone with your skills. At a job fair the company recruiters will be talking to dozens, if not hundreds of people, leaving them with your resume will give you a chance to contact you if they think you'd be right for their business.

Practice Your Soft Skills

Employers look for individuals who not only know their stuff but can work well with others and take direction. A candidate who is friendly and willing to learn will fare better than someone who is  on the top of their cyber security classes but can't manage to hold a conversation at a job fair. Be prepared to show you are highly skilled and able to fit into their company's team.

Come with Questions for Potential Employers

Show your interest in the company by asking exactly what skills and certifications they're looking for in a cyber security candidate. One company might be more interested in hiring an ethical hacker, while another is looking for an analyst. You should show off your knowledge at a job fair, but you should also make sure the company is looking to hire a position you want.

Know Your Goals (Or Have an Idea of Them)

When a potential employer asks you what your career goals are, have an answer ready. You don't look like a desirable candidate if you hem and haw and end up saying something vague. Even if you're not sure what your ultimate career goal is, list some of your job interests. Telling a recruiter, "I'm not sure where I'd like to work in cyber security, but I'm very good at cloud security and cryptography" is much better than saying you really like to work with computers.

Are you interested in learning more about cyber security education? Whether you're just starting out in cyber security or you're on the path to earning your master's degree, ECPI University offers a cyber security degree program that's just right. To learn more about your options, contact an admissions advisor today.

It could be the Best Decision You Ever Make!

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