This section runs from 13:32 to 16:01 in the full video above. Feel free to watch now or let it play through to the next topic.

I use the basketball court analogy all the time because it’s the most accurate way to describe how hiring works in this industry.

Imagine you go to a new neighborhood. The basketball court is packed. You want to play. There’s no official sign-up list — you just call next, get your five, and play. But how does the person picking the team know to choose you?

Because in between games, they watched you dribble. They saw you take shots. Maybe they saw you dunk. And the person picking the next team — the CEO, the hiring manager, whoever’s in charge — says, “I want that person on my squad.”

It works the same way in the NFL. Thousands of college football players, all elite in high school, elite in college — and only 1% get drafted. Even at that level, you have to stand out.

In cybersecurity, you stand out by being visible. Your lab work, your blog posts, your conference talks, your LinkedIn activity, your GitHub repos, your CTF writeups — that’s you on the sideline showing that you can ball.

The people who get picked are the ones who are visibly doing the work. Not in their house alone. Out there. Practicing where people can see them.

What you’ll take away:

• Hiring works through visibility and reputation, not just applying online
• You need to be “on the sideline” — visible work in lab, blog, GitHub, social media, conferences
• The team picker chooses people who have already demonstrated skill and passion publicly
• Elite candidates stand out because they’re doing the work where people can see them

Something to think about:

Right now, what’s one visible piece of evidence that you’re “on the court” practicing cybersecurity? What’s one thing you could create or share this month?

– Tyrone

Ready to go deeper? Intro to Cyber picks up where this conversation leaves off — with hands-on labs, real tools, and a structured path from beginner to job-ready. And when you’re ready to be found by employers, Chrysalus turns your verified skills into career opportunities. #Intro2Cyber