How to Land Your First Cyber Security Job Interview

Introduction: Your First Break Into Cyber

You’ve spent months learning, labbing, and earning badges — but now comes the real challenge: getting noticed.

Landing your first cybersecurity interview isn’t about luck; it’s about building proof that you can do the job before you have the job.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Outlook for Information Security Analysts, cybersecurity roles are projected to grow 32% between 2022–2032, much faster than average across all occupations. That means employers are hiring fast — but only for candidates who can demonstrate practical ability.

Here’s how to turn your hands-on experience into a standout application that gets you that first interview.

Step 1: Learn by Doing, Not by Memorising

Employers don’t want textbook answers — they want to see how you solve problems.
Focus your learning around hands-on platforms that replicate real-world tasks.

TryHackMe’s practical pathways, such as Pre-Security Path and SOC Level 1, are built around job-ready scenarios — not theory.

That way, when an interviewer asks “How would you handle an alert?” or “What tools do you use for recon?”, you can use concrete examples from real exercises.

💡 Tip: Before interviews, note down 2–3 practical examples from your TryHackMe learning — such as detecting a port scan or securing a misconfigured service. Referencing these hands-on tasks proves applied knowledge over theoretical recall.

Step 2: Build a Portfolio That Speaks for You

Don’t just say “I’m passionate about cybersecurity” — show it.
You can do that by creating a simple portfolio that proves your growth:

TryHackMe Profile: Share your public profile link to showcase completed rooms and streaks.

GitHub or Blog: Write short reflections on challenges you solved.

LinkedIn: Post learning milestones — recruiters actively search for those signals.

💡 Tip: Mention specific rooms like “Intro to Defensive Security” or “Web Fundamentals” to show breadth.

Step 3: Tailor Your Resume to Cyber Roles

Avoid generic IT resumes. Recruiters in cyber look for clear indicators that you understand security fundamentals. Some of this might include:

Tools: Wireshark, Nmap, Burp Suite, Splunk, etc.

Labs: Hands-on TryHackMe content aligned to job tasks.

Certifications: TryHackMe PT1, SAL1, or CompTIA Security+.

As CompTIA highlights in its State of the Tech Workforce 2024 Report, employers value candidates who showcase practical familiarity with common frameworks and tools — even in lieu of traditional credentials.

💡 Tip: Keep it focused — less “buzzwords,” more “demonstrable capability.” And make sure you mirror job descriptions

Step 4: Network With Intention

Most entry-level roles aren’t found through job boards alone.
Engage where cybersecurity communities gather:

LinkedIn: Comment on posts from hiring managers or SOC teams.

Discord/Reddit: Communities like r/cybersecurity and r/AskNetsec are active spaces to share projects.

Events: Look for local meetups or CTF events (many are virtual and free).

It’s not about networking for favours — it’s about visibility and learning from others already doing the work.

💡 Tip: When networking, mention a specific TryHackMe room or topic you’re learning — it’s a great conversation starter and shows initiative. Example: “I’ve been working through the ‘Red Team Fundamentals’ module to understand attacker TTPs better.”

Step 5: Prepare for the Technical Interview

Expect scenario-based questions over pure theory. For example:

“How would you identify a phishing attempt?”

“Explain a time you found a vulnerability or misconfiguration.”

Use your TryHackMe experience to answer with real examples.

💬 Example:

“In the Phishing Analysis room on TryHackMe, I learned how to spot suspicious sender patterns and analyse headers.”

These grounded answers demonstrate experience, not memorisation.

Hiring managers consistently say they’re looking for demonstrable curiosity and initiative. In a recent (ISC)² Cybersecurity Hiring Trends Study 2024, 62% of employers said they hired candidates based on self-taught or lab-based experience.

💡 Tip: Before your interview, review 2–3 rooms that align with the job description — for instance, Intro to Defensive Security for SOC roles, or Web Fundamentals for web app testing. Being able to reference recent, relevant labs gives your answers authenticity and depth that stand out to technical interviewers.

Step 6: Keep Learning Between Applications

Cybersecurity recruiters look for consistency. Even if you don’t get interviews immediately, keep your learning timeline active — it shows commitment and growth.

Stay sharp by:

Completing daily rooms on TryHackMe.

Attempting a new CTF challenge every week.

Setting small goals: one lab per day or one certification module per month.

Persistence is often what separates those who “study” cybersecurity from those who work in it.

💡 Tip: Treat each week like a mini sprint — set one achievable goal such as completing a new TryHackMe room or earning a badge. Mention your ongoing learning in follow-up emails or LinkedIn posts to show continuous momentum — recruiters notice consistency.

Conclusion: Your Skills Are Your Resume

Breaking into cybersecurity doesn’t require a long resume or a perfect background — just proof that you can think, solve, and learn.

The World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2025 lists cybersecurity as one of the top 10 fastest-growing global job categories, making 2025 an ideal time to build a portfolio and secure your first interview.

TryHackMe gives you a way to demonstrate all of that before your first interview even begins. Ready to dive in with your first practical lab?