Entry-Level Cybersecurity Job Description Template - How to Write a Great One (and Get More Qualified Applicants)

Sep 13, 2026

Uploaded by McGucket

The paper explains how the cybersecurity workforce shortage affects entry-level hiring and why many job postings fail to attract qualified applicants. It describes the “skills gap” as a mismatch between employer needs and candidates’ abilities, highlighting how inaccurate or over-demanding requirements cause strong candidates to self-select out before applying. Using reported figures on open cybersecurity roles, the paper frames effective, accurate entry-level job descriptions as a practical first step to increase the pipeline of qualified entrants to the profession.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryLetters

FormatPDF

Pages15

Reading Time5 min

AccessFree to download

Brief

Understanding the Cybersecurity Skills Gap

What Does the Cybersecurity Skills Gap Look Like

Why the Demand Is Increasing

The Solution

Entry-Level Cybersecurity Job Description Template: How to Write a Great One (and Get More Qualified Applicants) Author: Heather Monthie, PhD BRIEF One of the most critical aspects of recruiting and hiring entry-level cybersecurity employees is creating a job description that attracts qualified applicants. A job description that does not provide adequate information about the entry-level role or has education and experience requirements that do not align with an entry-level position are often barriers to finding qualified entry-level candidates. The global cybersecurity workforce shortage has made it challenging to find suitable candidates for the right roles; therefore, creating an accurate job posting is an essential first step in attracting well-qualified entry-level candidates. [For more information contact](For more information contact sales@offensive-security.com)[ sales@offensive-security.com](For more information contact sales@offensive-security.com) 2 UNDERSTANDING THE CYBERSECURITY SKILLS GAP Cybersecurity is a top concern for technology and business leaders today. With so many data breaches and cyberattacks happening every day, it’s evident that cybersecurity is a significant issue and continues to be a top concern. Due to the increase of connected devices, the amount of data stored on devices, and the ubiquitous nature of mobile and IoT devices, the demand for top cybersecurity talent continues to increase. Experienced cybersecurity professionals are in high demand but are also hard to recruit. Many are happily employed, and many require top salaries to remain competitive. This is a burgeoning industry where every employer wants an experienced professional but there is not a long history of employers hiring in this profession resulting in a shortage of mid to senior-level candidates. To be more competitive in hiring cybersecurity talent, employers can build an internal cybersecurity talent pipeline in their organizations, starting with attracting and recruiting top entry-level cybersecurity candidates. Entry-level candidates frequently find it difficult to land their first position since there are a plethora of entry-level job postings that require the skills and qualifications of a mid to senior-level person. When scanning job sites, it is not difficult to find entry-level cybersecurity job postings that require a long list of experience in many different technologies, certifications that require five years of experience, or even ten years of experience in a technology that’s been around for only five. Inadequate job postings result in qualified candidates self-selecting out of the application process, and those who do apply may not have the skills required to do the job. This mismatch is one contributor to the skills gap in the cybersecurity industry. When job postings do not include the correct information for an applicant to determine their fit for the position, the employer will lose top applicants who self-select out of the recruiting process before they even apply.1 Experienced cybersecurity professionals are in high demand but are also hard to recruit. 1Schmidt, J. A., Chapman, D. S., & Jones, D. A. (2015) . Does emphasizing different types of person–environment fit in online job ads influence application behavior and applicant quality? Evidence from a field experiment. Journal of Business and Psychology, 30(2), 267-282. WHAT DOES THE CYBERSECURITY SKILLS GAP LOOK LIKE? There’s no shortage of studies available that describe the numbers behind the cybersecurity skills gap. The purpose of this paper is not to conduct a cybersecurity workforce analysis. Instead, it describes the current state of the workforce and offers one potential solution to increase the number of qualified candidates entering the cybersecurity profession: writing effective entry-level job descriptions to attract qualified applicants. The cybersecurity workforce shortage can be succinctly defined as “...not

FAQs

What problem does the paper focus on for entry-level cybersecurity hiring?

It focuses on how poorly written job descriptions and misaligned education or experience requirements create barriers to finding qualified entry-level cybersecurity candidates.

How does the cybersecurity skills gap relate to job postings?

Job postings that omit the right information or demand mid-to-senior level skills cause qualified applicants to self-select out, worsening the skills gap.

What solution does the paper propose to address the shortage?

Writing effective, accurate entry-level job descriptions that attract well-qualified candidates and increase the number of entrants to the cybersecurity profession.

Sep 13, 2026

Uploaded by McGucket