Insights from a Hiring Manager: Navigating Cybersecurity Job Interviews

Introduction

As a seasoned hiring manager in the cybersecurity domain—spanning operations, governance, risk, and compliance—I’ve gained invaluable insights over my 20 years in various sectors such as finance, healthcare, consulting, and service delivery. If you’re eyeing a long-term career in cybersecurity, it’s crucial to stand out from your competition. Here’s a compilation of effective strategies and tips that can help elevate your candidacy during the interview process.

1. Establish a Strong Technical Foundation

In today’s cybersecurity landscape, candidates should possess a solid technical skillset. This can be showcased through either certifications or relevant work experience. Certifications signify a concrete understanding of specific topics, while hands-on experience reflects the tools you’ve utilized and issues you’ve resolved. However, relying solely on one of these avenues can limit the perspective you provide to potential employers.

Employers, including myself, are keen to see candidates articulate not just their skills, but also how those skills integrate within broader information security frameworks. Be prepared to discuss the workflows and procedures that are fundamental to effective security programs.

Key Takeaway: Clearly showcase your skills, the tools you have employed, the challenges you’ve conquered, and your ability to explain these experiences in depth.

2. Develop Effective Communication Skills

In the age of advanced AI tools, the human touch in communication remains irreplaceable. Your ability to articulate thoughts—both verbally and in writing—holds immense significance. While AI can assist with writing tasks, nothing can substitute your own voice. The disconnect between impeccably polished written communication and off-the-cuff verbal explanations can be stark and detrimental to your credibility.

Practicing these communication skills is vital. If you neglect to hone them, showcasing proficiency during an interview will become increasingly challenging.

3. Forge Collaborative Relationships with Business Stakeholders

A common pitfall I observe in interviews is candidates who delve into technical details without considering how to collaborate effectively with business units. It’s not enough to identify a risk; you must demonstrate how you would work alongside the business to address it. Our role involves not dictating actions but partnering with teams to evaluate risk options—be it acceptance, mitigation, or transfer—and aligning priorities with the organization’s broader objectives.

Key Takeaway: Be prepared to discuss collaboration in depth; a lack of this ability can significantly hamper your chances of success.

4. Maintain Professional Composure

When preparing for an