When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Professional Certificate.
Learn new concepts from industry experts
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Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
Earn a shareable career certificate from IBM
There are 4 modules in this course
With the digital and AI disruption, cybersecurity professionals are in even higher demand around the world, and the trend shows no sign of slowing. There are also several great candidates. How can you get the edge in such a competitive field?
This course will prepare you to enter the job market as a great candidate for an entry-level cybersecurity position. You will be equipped with practical techniques to create job-related documents, such as a resume, a portfolio, a cover letter, and an elevator pitch. You will learn how to find and assess prospective job positions, apply to them, and lay the groundwork for interviewing. You will learn about the different types of questions typically asked during cybersecurity interviews and witness mock interviews.
Throughout this four-module self-paced course, you will hear from various cybersecurity experts who discuss their own career paths and talk about what they have learned about networking, interviewing, solving coding problems, and fielding other questions you may encounter as a candidate. You will also have the opportunity to practice what you learn and test your understanding.
Come join us on this job search journey!
This module explores a cybersecurity professional’s role and career activities, emphasizing understanding career pathways using the NICE Framework. It will guide you in creating a professional portfolio, understanding its purpose. You will also have the opportunity to listen to expert viewpoints on essential skills and insights into the cybersecurity field. Additionally, the module covers creating profiles on online sites and drafting an elevator pitch through hands-on labs.
What's included
12 videos3 readings3 assignments8 plugins
Show info about module content
12 videos•Total 65 minutes
Course Introduction•4 minutes
The Role of the Cybersecurity Professional •6 minutes
Expert Viewpoints: Meet the Experts•2 minutes
Expert Viewpoints: Cybersecurity Roles and Skills•5 minutes
IBM Cybersecurity Professional Certificates•7 minutes
Cybersecurity Career Activities•6 minutes
Expert Viewpoints: Cybersecurity as a Career•5 minutes
Illustrating a Cybersecurity Professional's Portfolio•6 minutes
Expert Viewpoints: Professional Portfolios•7 minutes
Creating Profiles for Online Sites •5 minutes
Drafting the Elevator Pitch•6 minutes
Expert Viewpoints: Elevator Pitch •6 minutes
3 readings•Total 12 minutes
Prerequisites and Course Syllabus•2 minutes
Lesson 1 Summary: Cybersecurity as a Career•5 minutes
Lesson 2 Summary: Creating a Professional Portfolio and Elevator Pitch•5 minutes
3 assignments•Total 35 minutes
Module 1 Graded Quiz: Getting Ready for a Cybersecurity Career•15 minutes
Lesson 1 Practice Quiz: Cybersecurity as a Career•10 minutes
Lesson 2 Practice Quiz: Creating a Professional Portfolio and Elevator Pitch•10 minutes
Reading: Additional Program Recommendations•5 minutes
Reading: Career Pathways: NICE Framework•5 minutes
Reading: Purpose and Value of a Professional Portfolio•5 minutes
Hands-on Lab: Develop a Professional Portfolio•30 minutes
Hands-on Lab: Develop an Elevator Pitch•30 minutes
Module 1 Glossary: Getting Ready for a Cybersecurity Career•5 minutes
Identifying Jobs, Creating Resumes, and Drafting Cover Letters
Module 2•3 hours to complete
Module details
In this module, you will learn about the methods used to conduct research on the company and industry that you want to work in. You will also learn about how to read a job posting and work with third-party recruiters to apply for jobs. Next, you will create a basic resume and understand why it is important to have an Application Tracking System (ATS) software-compatible resume. Finally, you will draft a basic cover letter that can be tailored based on the requirements of a job posting.
What's included
6 videos2 readings3 assignments7 plugins
Show info about module content
6 videos•Total 35 minutes
Conducting Company and Industry Research •6 minutes
Expert Viewpoints: Conducting Company Research•7 minutes
Working with Third-Party Recruiters •7 minutes
Drafting a Resume•7 minutes
Expert Viewpoints: Developing a Basic Resume•3 minutes
Drafting a Cover Letter•5 minutes
2 readings•Total 3 minutes
Lesson 1 Summary: Identifying Jobs•2 minutes
Lesson 2 Summary: Drafting Resumes and Cover Letters•1 minute
This module is all about the interview process. You’ll gain advice for submitting a professional application and interview preparation. Delve into Human Resource (HR) screening considerations, the technical screening, and the first stage of the interview process. The module will provide various tips for overcoming common interviewing challenges and for effectively responding to questions. Finally, you will have the opportunity to apply your knowledge of the STAR technique to practice responding to some behavioral questions.
What's included
12 videos2 readings3 assignments9 plugins
Show info about module content
12 videos•Total 69 minutes
The End-to-End Interview Process•4 minutes
Submitting Your Application•6 minutes
Preparing for the Interview•6 minutes
Expert Viewpoints: First Round Interview•3 minutes
Cybersecurity Specialist Mock Interview: First Stage•8 minutes
Cybersecurity Specialist Mock Interview: The Technical Interview•9 minutes
Module 3 Graded Quiz: The Interview Process•15 minutes
Practice Quiz: Initial Interview Rounds•10 minutes
Lesson 2 Practice Quiz: Final Interview•10 minutes
9 plugins•Total 48 minutes
Reading: Human Resources (HR) Screening•2 minutes
Reading: First Stage Interview Process •4 minutes
Reading: Technical Screening•5 minutes
Hands-on Lab: Develop Responses to Common Cybersecurity Specialist Interview Questions•5 minutes
Reading: Final Interview Checklist •5 minutes
Reading: The Remote or Virtual Interview•4 minutes
Reading: Closing the Interview•3 minutes
Hands-on Lab: Respond to Questions Using the STAR Technique•15 minutes
Module 3 Glossary: The Interview Process•5 minutes
Understanding Interview Questions and Post-Interview Next Steps
Module 4•2 hours to complete
Module details
In this module, you’ll focus on preparing and answering interview questions and recommended post-interview actions. Learn effective techniques for responding to core and behavioral interview questions, including tips and techniques for cybersecurity specialist roles. You’ll learn how to handle challenging, tricky, and illegal interview questions and what to do if you encounter inappropriate interview actions. In addition, you will learn what to do if you receive a job offer and what to do if you do not receive a job offer and get valuable tips for successful salary negotiations.
What's included
6 videos5 readings3 assignments8 plugins
Show info about module content
6 videos•Total 30 minutes
Core and Behavioral Interview Questions•6 minutes
Expert Viewpoints: Interview Questions •6 minutes
Trick Questions and Illegal Questions •5 minutes
Expert Viewpoints: Difficult Questions•4 minutes
Salary Negotiation•5 minutes
Expert Viewpoints: Job Offers•4 minutes
5 readings•Total 14 minutes
Lesson 1 Summary: Interview Questions•1 minute
Lesson 2 Summary: Post-Interview Next Steps•2 minutes
Course Summary•5 minutes
Congratulations and Next Steps•5 minutes
Thanks from the Course Team•1 minute
3 assignments•Total 35 minutes
Module 4 Graded Quiz: Understanding Interview Questions and Post-Interview Next Steps •15 minutes
Lesson 1 Practice Quiz: Interview Questions•10 minutes
Lesson 2 Practice Quiz: Post-Interview Next Steps•10 minutes
At IBM, we know how rapidly tech evolves and recognize the crucial need for businesses and professionals to build job-ready, hands-on skills quickly. As a market-leading tech innovator, we’re committed to helping you thrive in this dynamic landscape. Through IBM Skills Network, our expertly designed training programs in AI, software development, cybersecurity, data science, business management, and more, provide the essential skills you need to secure your first job, advance your career, or drive business success. Whether you’re upskilling yourself or your team, our courses, Specializations, and Professional Certificates build the technical expertise that ensures you, and your organization, excel in a competitive world.
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What will I get if I subscribe to this Certificate?
When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Certificate, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.