Welcome Back

Hey everyone — Luke here 👋

If you’ve been job searching for months with no luck, this message is for you.

I talk to professionals every week who feel stuck.

They’ve applied for dozens (sometimes hundreds) of jobs.

They’ve rewritten their resume, updated LinkedIn, even completed courses…

Yet nothing’s landing. No interviews. No callbacks. Just silence.

Here’s the thing, it’s usually not about your skills or experience.

It’s about how you’re positioning yourself, your story, your confidence, and how you come across to hiring managers.

And that’s something that can absolutely be fixed.

If this sounds like where you’re at right now, let’s connect.

I’ve helped hundreds of professionals refine their approach, stand out, and finally land the roles they deserve.

Sometimes, it just takes a fresh set of eyes and the right strategy.

👉 Drop me a message or reply to this. I’d be happy to chat and see how I can help.

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Video of the Week: The 5-Step Cybersecurity Roadmap NO ONE Talks About

Many think that collecting certifications is the golden ticket to a six-figure cybersecurity career, but this could be a myth that’s keeping talented people from breaking in.

This video breaks down why certifications alone won’t get you hired and why real-world skills and hands-on experience matter more than you think.

You’ll discover:

✅ The practical steps to build real cybersecurity experience

✅ Which skills employers actually look for

✅ How to structure your learning so you can go from zero to hired, without wasting money or time

As someone who’s spent over 14 years recruiting in cybersecurity and coaching professionals globally, I’ve seen exactly what separates those who land jobs from those who stay stuck.

These five steps work, whether you’re just getting started or pivoting from another IT role.

🎯 Who this video is for:

• Aspiring cybersecurity professionals

• IT career changers

• Students wondering where to start

• Anyone who wants a clear, structured roadmap to break into cyber

News & Trends

🌐 Cybersecurity Hiring Outlook: Still Strong Despite Economic Uncertainty

Even with global layoffs and market slowdowns across the tech industry, cybersecurity remains one of the most resilient and in-demand sectors worldwide.

According to the 2024 (ISC)² Cybersecurity Workforce Study, the global shortage of cybersecurity professionals has surpassed 4 million, representing a 12% increase year-on-year.

In Australia alone, it’s estimated we’ll need over 30,000 new cybersecurity professionals by 2026 just to meet existing demand, particularly across sectors like finance, healthcare, and government.

What’s driving this?

• The explosion of cloud adoption has increased attack surfaces across organisations.

• AI-driven threats are rising from deepfakes to automated phishing.

• Companies are under more pressure than ever to prove regulatory compliance and resilience.

For job seekers, this means one thing:

If you can demonstrate hands-on skills, incident response capability, and a clear understanding of risk, there’s never been a better time to position yourself for a role in cybersecurity.

Career Development Trend: Soft Skills Are Becoming the New Superpower

While technical ability will always matter, employers are increasingly prioritising soft skills when making hiring decisions.

In fact, LinkedIn’s 2025 Global Talent Trends report highlights that communication, adaptability, and emotional intelligence are now among the top traits recruiters look for across all industries.

For cybersecurity professionals, that translates into:

• The ability to communicate technical risks clearly to non-technical audiences.

• Being able to collaborate effectively with IT, risk, and leadership teams.

• Staying calm and analytical under pressure during incidents or investigations.

So, while you’re mastering your tools and frameworks, remember: developing your soft skills can give you the edge that technical skills alone can’t.

Technology Focus: AI is Changing the Hiring Process

AI isn’t just transforming cybersecurity, it’s transforming recruitment too.

Hiring teams are increasingly using AI-powered Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), automated resume scanners, and even AI-based video assessments to filter candidates.

That means your resume and LinkedIn profile need to be:

• Keyword-optimised for the specific role

• Clear, structured, and measurable

• Written to pass both AI filters and human reader

If you’re not tailoring your applications with this in mind, you could be missing opportunities before a human ever sees your resume.

The Career Compass Method

If you’re feeling stuck in your career or unsure how to position yourself for the next step, my 8-Week Career Compass Method™ might be exactly what you need.

It’s a hands-on, personalised coaching program designed to help you:

✅ Get clarity on your career direction

✅ Build a job-winning resume & LinkedIn profile

✅ Master your interview confidence

✅ Negotiate your worth with ease

✅ Finally land the job you deserve

You’ll get unlimited 1:1 coaching sessions, Slack support between calls, and access to my full Career Compass Playbook.

If you’d like to learn more, reply to this email or visit lukegough.com/coaching.

Career Compass Challenge

This week’s challenge is simple but powerful:

Reposition Your Resume Headline

Take a look at the headline or summary section at the top of your resume and LinkedIn profile.

Ask yourself:

“Does this clearly show the type of role I want next?”

Most job seekers make their headline about what they’ve done, not where they’re going.

Here’s the fix:

✅ Replace vague titles like “IT Professional” or “Cybersecurity Enthusiast” with targeted, keyword-rich ones like:

• Aspiring Cybersecurity Analyst | Building Skills in SOC, Threat Detection & Risk Management

• GRC Professional | Compliance, Risk, and Cyber Governance

• IT Support Specialist Transitioning into Cybersecurity

Your headline is prime digital real estate. It’s what recruiters see first, and it can instantly position you as the right fit.

Spend 10 minutes updating it, then search LinkedIn for roles in your target field and see how closely your new headline aligns with what hiring managers are seeking.

If you want feedback, reply to this email or tag me on LinkedIn, I’ll happily review a few!

Thanks for reading, and as always, keep levelling up your career.

Best wishes
Luke Gough
Recruiter / Career Coach / Founder of The Career Compass

P.S. Remember to share The Career Compass with your network, and let’s work together to empower more careers!