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The Career Compass — Edition #58

Career Success Starts Here

By Luke Gough | Career Coach & Cybersecurity Recruiter

Welcome Back!

Welcome to another edition of The Career Compass!

This week, we’re diving deep into one of the most powerful, yet often overlooked, career tools you have: your LinkedIn profile. Whether you’re job hunting, growing your personal brand, or positioning yourself as a thought leader in your field, your LinkedIn presence can either open doors… or quietly close them.

Let’s make sure it’s the former.

How to Optimise Your LinkedIn Profile for Career Growth

LinkedIn isn’t just an online resume, it’s your digital reputation.
It’s often the first place recruiters, hiring managers, and potential clients will see you. So, how do you ensure your profile not only gets noticed, but gets results?

Here’s a breakdown of what truly matters:

1. Start with a Strong Headline

Your headline is prime real estate — don’t just write your job title.
Instead, highlight your value.
Example:
❌ “Cybersecurity Analyst”
✅ “Cybersecurity Analyst | Protecting Businesses Through Threat Detection & Incident Response”

Use keywords that reflect your industry and skills. Recruiters search using these terms, so make sure they appear in your headline.

2. Optimise Your About Section

This is your story where you bring your personality and experience to life.
Keep it conversational, confident, and structured around who you are, what you do, and how you help.

Pro Tip: End your About section with a short call to action.
For example:

3. Use a Professional Profile & Banner Image

Your photo should look approachable and professional - think friendly recruiter-ready, not corporate mugshot.
And your banner? That’s prime branding space. You could include your tagline, certifications, or even a clean design with your name and specialisation.

4. Feature Key Content

The Featured section is often underused.
Add your top posts, projects, or videos here.
For example, if you’ve taken certifications or created content, highlight it! It shows credibility and consistency.

5.Build Social Proof

Endorsements and recommendations matter. Don’t be afraid to reach out to former colleagues or managers for a quick testimonial. It strengthens your credibility and builds trust instantly.

6. Engage Consistently

The algorithm rewards activity, but so do people.
Comment on posts, share insights, and engage with others in your field. It positions you as visible, knowledgeable, and approachable.

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Video of the Week: How to Land Your First Cybersecurity Job with No Experience (2025 Edition):

If you want to land your first cybersecurity job in 2025 but keep hearing “you need experience” — this video is for you.

In this video, I’ll walk you step-by-step through:

• How to get your first cybersecurity role with no experience

• What hiring managers really look for

• How to stand out in a competitive job market

By the end, you’ll know exactly how to go from learning cybersecurity to getting hired, even if you’re starting from scratch.

Challenge of the Week

This week’s challenge is simple but powerful:
👉 Review your LinkedIn headline and About section.

Ask yourself:

• Does it show what I do and who I help?

• Would it make a recruiter or hiring manager stop scrolling?

Then, make one improvement today. Small tweaks lead to big opportunities.

News & Trends: Career + Cybersecurity

LinkedIn Adds “Career Break” Insights

LinkedIn’s latest feature update allows users to provide more context for career breaks — such as upskilling, caregiving, or travel — directly on their profiles.
This is a fantastic step towards normalising career transitions and helping professionals re-enter the workforce with confidence.

Cybersecurity Hiring Is Still Growing

According to recent industry data, demand for cybersecurity professionals continues to outpace supply, with entry-level hiring up 12% in Q3 2025.
Employers are particularly seeking candidates who can demonstrate practical skills, think hands-on labs, real-world projects, and strong communication skills.

If you’ve been wondering whether to start learning cyber, the answer is simple: start now.

AI Skills Now Among the Most In-Demand Across Industries

A new LinkedIn report shows a surge in demand for AI literacy, not just for tech roles, but across sales, marketing, HR, and cybersecurity.
Professionals who can demonstrate even a basic understanding of AI tools and automation are finding themselves with a competitive edge in hiring conversations.

If you’re not already learning how AI impacts your role, now’s the time to start exploring.

🧠 Soft Skills Are Back in the Spotlight

Recruiters are increasingly prioritising communication, adaptability, and problem-solving, even in technical fields like cybersecurity.
Why? Because great professionals don’t just know things, they can explain, collaborate, and adapt.
Those who combine technical know-how with strong interpersonal skills are seeing faster career progression and better offers.

Final Thoughts

Remember, your LinkedIn profile is often your first impression and in today’s world, first impressions happen online.
Keep refining, keep engaging, and most importantly, keep levelling up your career.

Thanks for reading.

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!