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Strategies for Landing a US Remote Cybersecurity Job from Abroad with No Experience

View original discussion on Hacker News

A Hacker News user from Brazil, new to IT but armed with several entry-level cybersecurity certifications (Google Cybersecurity, SOC lvl 1 TryHackme, CompTIA Security+), initiated a discussion seeking tips for securing a remote job in the US. The responses collectively painted a challenging picture but also offered concrete strategies.

The Reality of the US Remote Job Market for Entry-Level Internationals

Several commenters highlighted that obtaining an entry-level remote position in the US with no prior experience, degree, or internship is a significant hurdle. User malfist bluntly stated, "Certs just don't cut it," advising that local experience in Brazil would be a more practical first step. This sentiment was echoed by others, emphasizing that US companies often have a large pool of domestic candidates, especially for roles not requiring extensive experience.

Strategic Approaches to Increase Chances

Despite the challenges, the community provided several actionable tips:

  • Gain Local Experience First: The most common advice was to secure a cybersecurity role in Brazil. malfist and brudgers pointed out that local experience is invaluable. brudgers noted, "Experience in a lower paying job is much more valuable...because it also demonstrates a willingness to work," and suggested that this could lead to opportunities with international corporations in Brazil.

  • Target Small Businesses as a Contractor: paulcole offered a detailed strategy for directly approaching small US businesses (30 people or fewer). This involves:

    • Proposing a contract arrangement, possibly using services like Deel for payment, and explaining the cost benefits to the employer (e.g., lower overhead compared to US employees).
    • Using LinkedIn Recruiter Lite to identify and reach out to potential employers.
    • Creating personalized video pitches (using Loom) that focus on the value you can bring to their company, rather than personal desires for a remote job.
    • Investing in a good camera/mic setup and avoiding artificial backgrounds.
    • Being prepared for numerous rejections ("100 nos before your first yes").

  • Consider Large Contracting/Consulting Firms: ivape suggested reaching out to major contracting companies like Accenture or EPAM. These firms often have business models that involve sourcing international talent for US clients and might be actively looking for candidates like the original poster.

  • Improve English Proficiency: Dumblydorr pointed out that while the poster's English was decent, further polish would be beneficial. In a competitive market, strong communication skills are crucial, and employers might use any perceived weakness as a reason to filter out applications. The poster acknowledged this and mentioned working on it.

Other Important Considerations

  • Attitude and Persistence: The original poster's willingness to set a time limit for the US job search and then focus on Brazil was praised by malfist as a "very healthy attitude." Persistence is key, as highlighted by paulcole's advice.

  • Tax Implications: While one user expressed concern about complex tax situations for remote work from Brazil for a US company, the original poster indicated they had consulted an accountant and understood the local regulations for their income level.

Overall, the discussion underscored that while the path is challenging, a combination of gaining initial experience (even locally), employing creative job-seeking strategies like direct contracting, and refining communication skills can improve an international candidate's prospects for remote US employment.