Thread by @MalwareJake

I'm seeing some say this highlights the talent shortage, while others (typically not hiring managers) continue to argue there is no shortage. There absolutely is a talent shortage, but as usual, there's more to the story than that. 1/n
threatpost.com/isaca-unfilled…

The global multi-million dollar infosec training industry confirms there's a talent shortage. Either that or the companies you want to work for are all idiots just urinating money away. Pretty sure it's the former. 2/n

Okay, there's a talent shortage. But wait, how can that be?! You know *super talented people* who are looking for a job. Maybe you are too. You conclude there can't be a talent shortage.

This my friends is an anecdotal fallacy (and possibly even an availability bias). 3/n

Here are some possible reasons you/that talented person you know aren't getting hired:
1. Social media - many companies today will investigate you before offering a job. They're managing brand risk and infosec IS fundamentally risk management.
4/n

2. You're confusing aptitude for skills. "I can learn anything quickly" is not the same as "I can hit the ground running." Some employers just plain need the latter.
3. Bad attitude, bad references, or something intangible that struck the hiring manager wrong.
5/n

4. Remote work. This is a sticking point for some. Not going to debate it again, but you're taking yourself out of consideration for some positions by saying "absolutely no office work." I get the desire for remote work. I don't go to the office every day myself.
6/n

5. Travel - it's a thing. If you can't/won't do it, you're limiting the job pool. @RenditionSec principals will be in at least four countries over the next two weeks on gigs. I drew the short straw and am on my way to #RSAC now. Do I want to go? Um, no. But that's the gig.
7/n

6. Your technical interview was bad. Real talk: most resumes I see today are works of fiction. Military folks, this goes triple for you. I have a strong vet hiring preference, but weeding through the BS is getting harder every day. #1 resume rule: be honest. 8/n

Because if it's on your resume and you don't know it at all, I'll immediately just mark you as someone I can't trust to work independently. I can't believe that in 2019 I have to say "don't fabricate your resume." Be ready to back the resume up at the tech interview. 9/n

7. You're asking for WAY too much compensation. We've all heard stories of people making bank. Just because you know "that one person" making $400k doesn't mean you will. If they're making that, they're earning it. 10/n

When negotiating salary, it's all about *value proposition*. You're trying to convince an employer to part with their money and give it to you. What value will you bring them? Be ready to articulate that. Not all things are valuable to all employers; recognize that. 11/n

Okay, this got out of control fast. I could keep writing for days, but I have a plane to catch. TL;DR - there IS a talent gap (though I'm not seeing an applicant gap). I know a lot of really smart people who disagree. Note: most of them aren't hiring managers.