I’ve been struggling to find a job in cybersecurity since I entered the field in 2019. Originally from southern Europe, I hold a British passport and I’m a 40-year-old female with a background in banking. It’s become incredibly difficult to transition out of cybersecurity or even land interviews. Hiring managers and recruiters keep telling me they prefer candidates with military backgrounds, even for roles that are not in the government sector. Just a couple of years ago, I was inundated with calls for strategic intelligence roles, leveraging my educational background in geopolitics. Now, I’m applying for various positions in banking and other sectors, but the feedback is the same—employers are prioritizing ex-military candidates. This wasn’t the case before, and it’s frustrating. I had even considered joining the army myself, but a spinal tumor made that impossible. I’m curious if anyone else is experiencing similar challenges in the job market, especially in cybersecurity. It feels like the landscape has shifted dramatically, and it’s disheartening.