Networking: A Skill That Gets You Ahead

There's a skill I rarely see discussed in cybersecurity courses, yet it often determines who gets hired faster than anyone else.

That skill is networking.

Not the transactional kind, where people collect connections and disappear.

The intentional kind, where relationships are built with purpose.

Here's a truth many overlook: you never truly know where your next opportunity will come from.

Many cybersecurity roles are filled long before they're publicly advertised, through conversations, referrals, and existing relationships.

By the time a job posting goes live, someone may already be lined up internally.

This is why networking isn't optional in this field.

It's strategic.

As you grow in tech, there are three categories of people you should intentionally build relationships with.

People below you.

Those newer to tech than you are.

Helping them, answering questions, sharing what you've learned, does two things.

It builds community, and it strengthens your own leadership and credibility.

Teaching solidifies your own understanding.

People at your level.

Peers walking a similar path.

Because your experiences are comparable, collaboration comes naturally here.

You can share insights, work on projects together, and even pass along opportunities that aren't the right fit for you but might be perfect for them.

People ahead of you.

Those with more experience, further along in their careers.

This relationship works differently.

Your role isn't to ask for favours immediately.

It's about serving first, adding value where you can, and earning trust over time.

Respect and consistency open doors that requests alone never will.

Certifications open conversations.

Relationships open opportunities.

Both matter.

But only one of them compounds over time.