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The Career Compass #42: Get a Tech Job in 2025: Recruiter Secrets Inside

The Career Compass #42: Get a Tech Job in 2025: Recruiter Secrets Inside

The strategies, skills, and tools you need to stand out—straight from a tech recruiter

Luke Gough
July 08, 2025

In partnership with

Welcome to The Career Compass – Edition 42

Helping you navigate your career with clarity and confidence

By Luke Gough – Tech & Cyber Recruiter | Career Coach & Consultant

Video of the Week: Get a Tech Job FAST! Recruiter SECRETS Revealed

What if you could job hunt like a recruiter?

In this week’s video, I pull back the curtain on what really works in today’s tech job market—whether you’re applying for roles in software engineering, cybersecurity, cloud, DevOps, data, or just trying to get your first IT role.

You’ll learn:

✅ Why your job applications might be getting ignored

✅ What hiring managers actually look for

✅ How to stand out—even with no “perfect” experience

✅ And how to create a job-hunting system that gets results

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Cyber Spotlight: What Is a Red Team?

If you’ve ever heard someone say “Red Team vs Blue Team” in cybersecurity and weren’t quite sure what it meant—let’s clear it up.

🔴 Red Team = Offense

Red Teamers are ethical hackers who simulate real-world attacks to test a company’s defenses. Think of them as professional breakers of things—all with permission

Their goal? Find the weaknesses before the real attackers do

Typical Red Team Roles:

Ethical Hacker / Penetration Tester
Red Team Operator
Adversary Simulation Specialist

Skills & Tools They Use:

Kali Linux
Metasploit
Burp Suite
Social engineering tactics
Strong understanding of operating systems, networks, and common vulnerabilities (like OWASP Top 10)

🎯 Want to become Red Team ready?

Start with foundational certs like CompTIA Security+, then move into eJPT, OSCP, or PNPT as your skills grow.

Why Tailoring Your Resume Is Non-Negotiable

Closeup view of job applicant resume and CV paper during job interview

Photo by Resume Genius on Unsplash

You wouldn’t wear the same suit to a job interview, a wedding, and a fishing trip, right?

Your resume needs the same level of situational awareness.

Here’s why tailoring matters:

1. ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems)

Most companies use automated systems to scan resumes before a human ever sees them. If your resume doesn’t contain the right keywords from the job ad—it may never get read.

2. Relevance Builds Trust

Hiring managers want to know you get it. When your resume speaks directly to the role, they’re more likely to say, “This person understands what we need.”

3. You Show Strategy, Not Desperation

Spraying the same resume across 50 roles doesn’t show dedication—it shows haste. Tailoring says: I’ve read the role, I understand it, and I’m confident I fit.

💡 Pro Tip:

Always include a short, impactful summary at the top of your resume with language pulled from the job ad. Match it to the role and industry. Think of it like a 5-second elevator pitch.

Need help refining your resume? Reply to this email or book a coaching session with me—I’ll help you build a resume that works for you, not against you.

News & Trends in Tech Careers

2025 Tech Hiring Snapshot: What’s Hot Right Now

According to recent data from LinkedIn and Indeed:()

Cloud Computing Roles: Positions, especially those involving AWS and Azure, are experiencing a surge in demand, particularly within fintech and government sectors.()
Cybersecurity Job Postings: There’s been a 23% year-over-year increase, with a notable rise in blue team roles such as SOC Analyst, Security Engineer, and GRC Analyst.()
Remote-First Hiring: While decreasing, hybrid roles remain widely available in larger firms.

💡 Takeaway: Companies are seeking adaptable professionals proficient in security, automation, and collaboration. Even without a traditional tech background, foundational skills combined with strong soft skills can open doors.()

AI Skills: The New Career Currency

Artificial Intelligence is reshaping job markets, emphasising the importance of adaptability and new skill sets. Tech executives highlight three key capabilities: being a generalist, focusing on creative thinking, and mastering AI tools.

💡 Career Tip: Developing proficiency in AI tools, such as prompt engineering and understanding AI workflows, is becoming increasingly vital.

Cybersecurity: A Critical Focus

With the increasing sophistication of cyber threats, cybersecurity specialists remain among the most sought-after professionals in 2025. Roles like Cloud Security Architects, Penetration Testers, and Incident Response Managers are essential as businesses fortify their defenses.

💡 Career Tip: Certifications such as CISSP, CEH, and AWS Security Specialty can significantly boost employability in this sector.

🌱 GreenTech and Sustainability Roles on the Rise

Beyond traditional tech roles, sectors like Renewable Energy & GreenTech are experiencing significant growth. Australia is identified as a global leader in clean-energy growth, with AgriTech, robotics, and ESG/sustainability platforms also gaining momentum.

💡 Career Tip: Consider exploring opportunities in these emerging sectors, which bridge technology and real-world impact.

Hybrid Work Models: The New Norm

The debate around remote, hybrid, and office-based work continues in 2025, with each model reshaping how tech professionals approach their careers. IT firms are at the forefront of these changes, offering insights into the future of work in the industry.

💡 Career Tip: Flexibility is now a key component of competitive job offers. When considering new roles, evaluate the company’s approach to hybrid work to ensure it aligns with your preferences.

Skill-Based Hiring Over Degrees

As AI transforms the job market, the traditional college degree is losing its primacy, particularly in AI-driven sectors. Employers are increasingly valuing demonstrable skills and continuous learning over formal academic qualifications.

💡 Career Tip: Focus on building a portfolio that showcases your skills and projects. Engage in continuous learning through online courses, certifications, and practical experience to stay competitive.

Staying informed about these trends can help you navigate the evolving tech landscape and make strategic career decisions.

Tech Stack You Should Know

🔎 Tech to Learn: Splunk

If you’re aiming for a role in cybersecurity—especially in blue team environments like SOC Analyst, Threat Hunter, or Security Engineer—you need to get familiar with Splunk.

What Is It?

Splunk is a SIEM (Security Information and Event Management) platform used by security teams to monitor, search, and analyse vast amounts of machine-generated data (logs) in real time. It helps detect anomalies, track threat activity, and automate incident response.

Why It Matters for Your Career:

Used by thousands of companies globally for enterprise security operations
Core tool in SOC environments, especially in financial services, healthcare, and government
Learning SPL (Search Processing Language) allows you to build queries that detect malicious activity, failed login attempts, lateral movement, or signs of compromise

Real-World Example:

You’re a SOC Analyst. An alert comes through about unusual outbound traffic. With Splunk, you can quickly:

Query logs to trace the source IP
Check for repeated failed logins
Correlate with firewall and endpoint data
Flag and escalate the event as a potential exfiltration attempt

How to Learn It:

✅ Free Training: Splunk Fundamentals 1 – Official free beginner course

✅ Hands-On Practice: Use TryHackMe’s “SOC Level 1” or “Splunk 101” rooms

✅ Certify It: Splunk Core Certified User or Splunk Enterprise Security Certified Admin (for advanced users)

Recruiter Insight:

As a recruiter, I often see Splunk listed as a preferred or required skill on job descriptions—especially in entry-level SOC roles. Candidates who can demonstrate hands-on Splunk experience stand out, even if they don’t have years of cyber experience.