Hello,
I'm a recent college graduate with a Bachelors in Computer Forensics. I'm also CCE, A+ and Network+ certified. I've applied to every computer forensics job on Dice.com, monster.com, careerbuilder.com, and usajobs.gov, with no luck. Everybody wants 3+ years of experience and the CCE doesn't seem to be enough. With that said, can anybody recommend a job placement service? I'm out of ideas…
Thanks
Chance
Chance,
First off, you're probably hitting a lot of those online resume submission applications, aren't you? Those things are the suck. I've submitted for positions myself, only to have a friend at the company follow up with the hiring manager, and no one had seen my resume.
Having run through a couple of rounds of hiring staff myself, I can tell you that what I'd look for is the actual ability to do the work. It's nice to have degrees and certs, but what have you actually *done*? I know that without a job it's tough to get experience, but there are a number of resources (that I mention in my book and my blog) where you can go out, download actual images or packet captures, and then use freely available tools to analyze then.
From there, you can progress into generating your own data, and analyzing things.
As to getting a job, networking is the best way to go these days. Have you tried your alma mater's placement office? How about talking to your instructor(s) about contacts?
There's more to this geek stuff than just sitting in an office and applying online.
HTH,
h
First off, you're probably hitting a lot of those online resume submission applications, aren't you? Those things are the suck. I've submitted for positions myself, only to have a friend at the company follow up with the hiring manager, and no one had seen my resume.
h
Yeah, they are the suck. Along with making profiles for each company… I think I might start mailing copies to keep my sanity.
Having run through a couple of rounds of hiring staff myself, I can tell you that what I'd look for is the actual ability to do the work. It's nice to have degrees and certs, but what have you actually *done*? I know that without a job it's tough to get experience, but there are a number of resources (that I mention in my book and my blog) where you can go out, download actual images or packet captures, and then use freely available tools to analyze then.
h
I actually just started reading your book this week, along with Brian Carriers. Besides a couple of research projects dealing with Trucrypt and Stealth Surfer, all I've really "done" is buy some HDs off of ebay and analyze them for practice. As I get further through your book I'll be sure to do all the exercises you mention. I'm also teaching myself Perl.
As to getting a job, networking is the best way to go these days. Have you tried your alma mater's placement office? How about talking to your instructor(s) about contacts?
h
I have a few contacts, they were pretty busy with traveling and work. I'll shoot them a message.
Thanks for the advice. Have a good one.
Chance