A Rolling Stone Gathers No Moss
A Rolling Stone Gathers No Moss, Nor OSINT Jobs
Problem: OSINT’er with over a decade of experience working in the non-profit, conflict and crimes community has been defunded and is looking for a new position.
“I worry that my background may scare some off or that they see me as too much of a "bleeding heart" or something. Do you have any advice on how to transition or overcome this? Would you hire someone with a different background but who has the skills and experience?”
Response: I am absolutely encouraged that specialist investigators like yourself exist. Human rights violations and atrocity crimes need smart and diligent professionals to help bring bad actors to justice. You are #OSINTforGood.
But here’s the reality: you’re also out of a job.
Getting you back to work you love may take a hard turn, as I am reviewing your LinkedIn profile I am overwhelmed with all the positions you have held. You have 26 roles listed under "Experience." That’s not a bleeding heart; it’s a rolling stone.
When I’m hiring I look for go-getters for sure! But I also want a stable employee who wants to grow and scale with my company. Progressive experience does happen, but not in two month stints. Given what I see on your profile, I would consider you for a contract work but would question your ability to stay around long enough for me to offer you a full time job. New employees are a major investment. Money is always tight, when we hire, we think two years or more, and never less. If you aren’t invested in the company, we aren’t going to invest in you.
Moving Forward
Streamline Your Profile & Resume.
Reorganize your LinkedIn and CV. Tell a coherent story. Help the hiring manager see deliberate growth, not just fragmented projects. Connect each role to your core OSINT skills.
Target the Right Employers.
Look at companies working in global risk, international investigations, or due diligence. You have a comparative advantage in cross-border analysis—use it.
Demonstrate Your Value Publicly.
Write articles on LinkedIn about international investigations or OSINT methodology. Use the CRAWL framework. Give us a sample of your thinking, your style, and your value.
Pivoting within the OSINT field may sometimes be challenging, but you must look at your resume and CV through the eyes of a hiring manager - what do they care about? How can you parle that experience into measurable outcomes that shows the value you can make? Don't just list experience, tell a story that relates to where you want to go next, the value you bring and the impact you can have on an organization.
If you missed the video blog on this same topic, visit our YouTube channel or watch it below.
