Insights from a Cybersecurity Hiring Manager: Tips for Aspiring Candidates

As someone with two decades of experience in the cybersecurity domain, spanning areas like operations, governance, risk, and compliance, I have worked with various esteemed organizations across finance, healthcare, consulting, and service delivery sectors. If you’re looking to establish a long-term career in cybersecurity, here are some insights and recommendations that can help you differentiate yourself from other applicants.

Technical Proficiency

A fundamental expectation I have for candidates is a solid baseline of technical expertise. You can demonstrate this knowledge through industry certifications or relevant work experience. Certifications indicate that you possess a specific level of mastery in a defined subject area, while work experience reveals the tools you’ve engaged with and the challenges you’ve tackled. A combination of both provides a more comprehensive view of your capabilities and problem-solving skills.

In addition, it’s crucial to have an understanding of the workflows, processes, and protocols that underpin effective information security programs. To stand out, be prepared to articulate your technical skills, the tools you’ve utilized, the problems you’ve resolved, and your overall approach in considerable detail.

Communication Skills: Writing and Speaking

In an age where AI can handle many basic writing tasks, the nuances of effective communication—both verbal and written—remain distinctly human skills. Your ability to convey messages successfully and clearly is essential, especially in the cybersecurity arena, where precision is critical.

While crafting the perfect email with AI may seem impressive, the reality is that if you’re unable to articulate your points spontaneously during meetings, it can undermine your professionalism. Remember, skills that aren’t practiced may soon fade away, making it necessary to engage in frequent communication exercises.

Collaboration with Stakeholders

During interviews, I’ve often encountered candidates who delve deep into the technicalities of a Critical Vulnerability Exploit (CVE) but fail to discuss how they would collaborate with various business units to effectively mitigate risk. Our role isn’t merely to dictate actions to the business; instead, it’s about working alongside teams to comprehend options for addressing risk—whether through acceptance, mitigation, or transfer—and prioritizing these actions with the broader organizational goals in mind. If you cannot demonstrate an understanding of this dynamic, it could be a deal-breaker.

Professional Presentation and Composure

The term “composure” encompasses how you present yourself overall. Consider how you would dress and behave in a meeting with an executive team. Presenting your skills effectively, both verbally and non-verbally, is