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Hey Career Navigators,

If you’re serious about landing a cybersecurity role, you can’t rely on a résumé alone. Hiring managers want proof — and that’s where home labs and cyber portfolios come in.

This week we’ll explore:

• Why every aspiring cyber professional needs a portfolio

• How home labs help you gain real experience (even without a job)

• Why understanding GRC is essential in every business

• Plus, the latest AI trends shaping cybersecurity hiring

Let’s dive in. 🚀

Build a Cyber Portfolio That Screams “Hire Me!”

1️⃣ Your Portfolio Proves What You Can Do

A résumé says, “I can.”

A portfolio says, “I did.”

It shows recruiters your problem-solving skills, documentation habits, and ability to execute — three traits every SOC, GRC, and Security Ops team values.

2️⃣ Why Home Labs Matter

A home lab is your personal playground for testing, breaking, and securing systems.

You’ll learn to:

• Detect attacks with SIEM tools like Splunk or Wazuh

• Build secure networks with VirtualBox or VMware

• Practice incident response on TryHackMe or Hack The Box

• Automate tasks with PowerShell or Python scripts

💡 Tip: Capture screenshots, document your process, and turn each lab into a portfolio project.

3️⃣ What to Include in Your Portfolio

✅ Network & security projects (firewalls, honeypots, log analysis)

✅ Incident response or threat-hunting write-ups

✅ Policy or GRC-related documents you’ve drafted

✅ Any certifications or labs you’ve completed

4️⃣ How Recruiters Evaluate Portfolios

From my 14 years in recruitment, I can tell you: portfolios are the X-factor. They reveal curiosity, follow-through, and communication — traits no cert alone can prove.

📌 Takeaway: Your portfolio doesn’t need to be perfect — it just needs to show progress, initiative, and documentation.

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Video of the Week – How to Build a Cyber Portfolio That Screams ‘Hire Me!’

Your résumé tells employers what you want to do — but your portfolio proves what you can actually do.

In this video, I’ll show you how to build a cybersecurity portfolio that gets recruiters and hiring managers excited — one that literally screams “Hire me!”

You’ll learn:

✅ What recruiters really look for in a portfolio

✅ The key projects to include (even with no experience)

✅ How to present your work like a pro

✅ Mistakes that make portfolios get ignored

I’ll also share insights from my 14 + years in recruitment, plus how my Career Compass Method™ helps you structure your career with clarity, proof, and confidence.

🎯 Start building your career-proof portfolio today — and make sure it gets you noticed.

GRC – The Unsung Hero of Cybersecurity

While technical skills catch attention, Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) keeps organisations secure and legally sound.

• Governance ensures policies, roles, and responsibilities are clear.

• Risk Management identifies threats before they become incidents.

• Compliance ensures alignment with laws (GDPR, ISO 27001, NIST, SOC2).

Why GRC Matters

1. Protects businesses from costly fines and reputational damage.

2. Builds trust with clients, regulators, and investors.

3. Creates alignment between technical teams and executives.

💡 If you enjoy structure, policy, and communication, GRC might be your perfect path.

News & Trends – AI Takes Centre Stage

🔹 AI Now a Core Security Skill

Over 73 % of organisations use AI to detect anomalies, automate log triage, and predict breaches. Job ads referencing “AI” or “machine learning” skills have surged by 38 % year-on-year.

🔹 Human + AI Collaboration

The best analysts blend human intuition with AI-assisted tools. Recruiters say candidates who understand how to “work with AI” (not fear it) stand out immediately.

🔹 AI Ethics and GRC

AI is creating new compliance frontiers. Organisations now need AI governance frameworks to ensure fairness, transparency, and accountability — bringing GRC professionals into AI policy design.

🔹 Australia’s AI Investment Boom

Australia has committed AU$1 billion to national AI & cyber initiatives through 2027, fuelling hiring across threat intelligence, AI risk assessment, and compliance roles.

📌 Big Picture: AI isn’t eliminating jobs — it’s evolving them. The sweet spot? Candidates who show human judgment backed by AI-enhanced skillsets.

Career Spotlight – What Can Happen When You Build a Home Lab

Here’s what can happen when you take action:

You decide to set up a simple home lab using tools like Wazuh, Wireshark, and VirtualBox. You start small — installing a few systems, analysing logs, and documenting what you learn.

After a few weeks, you’ve got:

✅ A few write-ups on how you detected and responded to simulated attacks

✅ A GitHub page or Notion site showcasing your projects

✅ A handful of short LinkedIn posts describing your process and takeaways

Now, when a recruiter or hiring manager visits your profile, they see proof — not just interest in cybersecurity, but initiative, problem-solving, and growth.

That’s often the difference between being one of hundreds of applicants…

and being the one who gets the interview.

📌 Big takeaway: A portfolio and home lab show your potential. You don’t need to be an expert — you just need to start building.

Coaching Spotlight

Need help planning your first home lab or building a portfolio that truly sells you?

Inside my Career Compass Method™ Coaching Programme, we’ll:

• Identify the right cyber pathway for you

• Design a home-lab plan tailored to your goals

• Build a professional portfolio + LinkedIn presence

• Prepare for interviews with confidence

• Plus much much more

🎯 Book your free 15-minute call here:

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!