The Truth About GRC Analyst Hiring (And Why “5 Years Experience Required” Is a Myth)

👉 Register now for the Virtual Open House

Let’s break down what’s actually happening — and what you should do about it.

THE “5 YEARS EXPERIENCE REQUIRED” MYTH

When you’re scrolling job boards and even “entry-level” listings demand CISSP or 5 years of experience, it can feel hopeless.

But here’s what the data shows:

• 84% of employers will hire candidates who don’t meet their stated requirements (Adecco HR Survey).
• 42% of applicants who don’t meet experience requirements still get hired anyway because employers find them trainable.

ISC2 (the organization behind CISSP) has also called out inflated requirements — including “five years for entry-level” — as a myth that discourages qualified people from applying.

Bottom line: The requirements are wish lists, not hard gates.

HERE’S WHAT’S REALLY HAPPENING

Yes — some job postings ask for impossible combinations (like CISSP for an “entry-level” role). Often, that’s simply HR writing descriptions without understanding certification prerequisites.

But true entry-level GRC roles commonly ask for 0–2 years — and hiring is shifting toward skills and trainability.

Also, career changers are not the exception. They’re increasingly normal in cybersecurity hiring.

THE REAL BARRIER ISN’T EXPERIENCE — IT’S POSITIONING

Here’s what most people don’t tell you:

You don’t need a certification to be “allowed” to apply. What you need is proof you can do the work.

What actually gets you hired:

• Understanding core frameworks (NIST, ISO 27001, SOC 2)
• A portfolio showing you can write policies and do risk thinking
• LinkedIn positioning that translates your existing skills
• Interview language: risk, controls, audits, evidence, stakeholders

These aren’t random frameworks. They appear consistently in GRC job postings — and they’re learnable in a focused plan.

JENNIFER’S TRANSFORMATION

Once Jennifer understood this, she:

1. Stopped chasing certifications first
2. Built a simple GRC portfolio with policy samples
3. Repositioned her LinkedIn
4. Applied to roles emphasizing her project management background

Within 8 weeks, she landed a GRC Analyst role at $88,000 — and then studied for her next certification while employed.

That’s not unusual. Many employers pay for certifications once you’re hired.

THE MARKET IS HUNGRY FOR GRC TALENT

The question isn’t whether there’s opportunity. The question is whether you’re positioned to capture it.

WANT TO SEE THE FULL PICTURE?

I’m hosting a FREE Virtual Open House where I walk through:

• How GRC fits into the full cybersecurity landscape
• Realistic entry paths for career changers
• What matters early (and what doesn’t)

I’ll also share details about my $100K Cyber Career Challenge starting January 5th — and attendees get an exclusive 20% discount.

👉 Register for the Virtual Open House

P.S. Once you land your first GRC role, many companies will pay for certifications. Don’t spend your own money on the wrong thing first — focus on getting positioned, then let the job fund the next step.

P.P.S. Remember — if the role feels like a stretch, apply anyway. Requirements are often a wish list.

---

Iron sharpens iron, Dr. Rose Shumba Founder, The Tech Academy & Kudzai Edu Group Featured in The New York Times

---