Hey everyone,

I have been thinking about this for a long time.

A post I put out on LinkedIn a few days ago just hit nearly 100,000 views. It was about why Security+ alone won't get you hired without practical work to back it up. Clearly that message hit a nerve.

The response confirmed what I already knew from 15 years of recruiting: people understand the problem. What they're missing is the solution. That's exactly why I built what I'm sharing with you today.

Every week I get messages that go something like this: "Luke, I have my Security+. I've watched every YouTube video. I've done TryHackMe. But I still can't get an interview. What am I missing?"

After 15 years of recruiting and placing cybersecurity professionals, I know exactly what's missing. And it's not another certification.

It's a clear, recruiter-backed game plan — one that connects the dots between where you are now and the job offer you actually want.

That's why I built the Cybersecurity Job-Ready Blueprint.

It's a 40+ page digital guide built entirely from the recruiter's side of the table. Not theory. Not generic career advice. The actual stuff that separates candidates who land roles from the ones who keep getting ghosted.

Most people waste months going down the wrong path. This module cuts through the noise and gives you a clear starting point based on your background.

Not every cert is worth your time and money. I've ranked them by role, by career stage, and by what hiring managers actually care about in 2026.

Module 3 - Projects That Prove You Can Do the Work

Certs tell me you studied. Projects tell me you can do the job. I'll show you exactly which projects to build and how to document them so they land on a recruiter's radar.

Most cyber portfolios are forgettable. This module shows you how to build one that makes a recruiter stop scrolling.

Written by someone who has reviewed thousands of CVs and conducted hundreds of interviews. The formatting, the language, the STAR method, the questions you need to prepare for, it's all in here.

Plus a bonus Templates Pack — pre-built job tracker, resume template, project tracker, and weekly study planner. Ready to use from day one.Why I Built This

I got tired of watching good people fail for the wrong reasons.

Not because they weren't smart. Not because they lacked potential. Because nobody had ever shown them how the hiring process actually works from the inside.

Every module in the Blueprint is built around what I look for as a recruiter, what makes me read a resume instead of skip it, what makes me push a candidate forward, and what makes a hiring manager say yes.

This is the guide I wish existed when the people I've rejected were just getting started.

The Blueprint is $14.99. But for the next 7 days, newsletter subscribers get it for $9.99.

You're getting access before anyone else and at the lowest price it will ever be.

Click here to get the Cybersecurity Job-Ready Blueprint - $9.99 this week only

After 7 days the price goes up. No pressure, but I don't want you to miss it.

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The talent gap is still massive. The Bureau of Labour Statistics projects 29% growth in information security analyst jobs through 2034, with over 3 million roles currently unfilled globally. The opportunity is real, the question is whether you're positioned to take it.

AI-powered malware arrived this week. Researchers identified PromptSpy, described as the first known Android malware to use generative AI at runtime. Meanwhile, the World Economic Forum's 2026 Cybersecurity Outlook found that 87% of business leaders now see AI-related vulnerabilities as the fastest-growing cyber risk. Understanding AI threats is becoming a core competency, not a specialisation. Tier 1 SOC work is being automated. That's not a reason to panic; it's a reason to build higher-level skills now. Problem-solving, communication, and strategic thinking are what will separate you from the tools. Module 1 of the Blueprint covers exactly this.

Skills-first hiring is officially the new standard. A new report found that nearly two-thirds of employers now use skills-based evaluation for entry-level hires. That means your projects, your portfolio, and your certifications carry more weight than your degree or where you went to school. If you've been waiting to feel "ready enough," this should tell you something.

CISA is running at reduced capacity. A partial DHS shutdown has impacted the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency since February 14. With the agency stretched, critical infrastructure monitoring is under pressure, and it's a reminder of how quickly the demand for skilled security professionals can spike when things go wrong at the government level.

Blue Team Demand Still Outpaces Red. Everyone wants to be a penetration tester. But the volume of entry-level roles remains higher in:

If your goal is to get in, defensive pathways are often more realistic starting points.You can pivot later.Getting in matters more than getting it perfect.

As a cybersecurity recruiter, I reveal what actually happens after you click apply. Learn the 3 things that get you a callback, the 5 instant rejection triggers, and how hiring managers decide between two similar candidates. Practical, no-fluff advice for anyone trying to land a cybersecurity role.

A lot of people wait until they feel confident.

Confidence doesn’t come first. Action does. You don’t build confidence by watching another YouTube video.

You build it by:

Momentum compounds. The candidates who break in aren’t the smartest.

They’re the most consistent.

Grab the Blueprint. Block out 90 minutes and read through the first two modules. Then open the templates pack and start filling in your job tracker.

You don't need more information. You need a plan. This is the plan.

Questions? Hit reply, I read everyone.

Speak soon, and as always, keep levelling up your career!

Best wishes
Luke

P.S. If you know someone who's been stuck trying to break into cybersecurity, share this with them. Forward this email. Tag them on LinkedIn. The Blueprint is built for exactly that person.