If you have an upcoming job interview in the cybersecurity space, here are a few top tips to ensure you are prepared.
All jobs are different, but after a while the things you need to know or have prepared can blur into one and become somewhat similar, leading to a feeling that every interview is going to follow a set pattern. But nowadays, especially in rapidly evolving fields, you can never just assume that an interview will maintain the status quo.
Take, for example, the cybersecurity sector, an industry that keeps moving with the times and year on year requires a whole new set of skills and experience to navigate. So, with that in mind, how can you prepare for a cybersecurity job interview?
Be cyber specific
There are plenty of roles you can inhabit where a broad catch-all term is enough to showcase your skills and qualifications, as well as the area of expertise you intend to move into. Cyber is not one of them. Because organisations have such specific needs in regards to the treatment and maintenance of their data and networks, you need to be ultra clear about which aspect of cybersecurity you are most skilled at, the skills you currently possess and the division you wish to work in.
That means skipping the AI auto applications and doing a deep dive on specific companies, their likely needs and any open roles that would apply to you. Build yourself up from there, as the person with the ability to bolster a company’s cybersecurity teams based on what you know they require.
It’s not all talk
Some interviewers like to incorporate a test element to an interview, outside of the standard questions and it is almost a given in cybersecurity.
More than likely you will be expected to prove your skills in a technical challenge – perhaps on the spot, or it may be given prior to the call and you will have to explain your thought process. Either way, you need to ensure that you have the skills needed for this particular job title, to ensure that you can complete any task that gets thrown your way.
If you struggle with time pressures or exam expectations then practice in advance to manage any anxieties you may have. It is also a great way to study for any technical questions you will be asked. Also, if you have any additional needs that might impact the test, discuss reasonable accommodations to ensure a fair and accessible interview experience.
Be in the know
The advent of advanced, next-level technologies has brought the issue of ethical use to the forefront of the cybersecurity conversation. Even if you don’t intend to carve out a career in the regulatory or compliance space, it is still critical that you have broader knowledge of the industry and that you are up to date on important global policies and frameworks.
You should have an understanding of the biggest threats within the cyber space and even if you don’t know how to solve all of them (which you won’t), you should be able to strategise a clear plan in the event of a company-wide cyber event. Sometimes all that will be required is that you know who to escalate a problem to, but that in itself is an important step.
Be a softy
When you are preparing for a job interview that is in a field as technical as the cybersecurity space, it can be easy to place primary focus on the most obvious elements, in this case the technical aspect of the role. But now more than ever, organisations are hiring based not just on skill and qualifications, but on attitude, determination and ambitions.
This is often where the (sometimes forgotten) soft skills can play an important role, as they highlight your willingness to learn, work in a team and grow alongside a company. So, don’t forget about soft skills when preparing to dazzle an interviewer with your technical know-how.
Use your resources
One of the best things about the internet, aside from streaming and easy food delivery, has to be the wide availability of crucial industry-level resources. They can help you prepare for virtually anything.
If you have an interview for a cybersecurity role in the near future, make sure to search for lists such as the most commonly asked questions, difficult questions and potential scenarios where you will be asked to offer a solution.
You can even take tests and create simulations to help you prepare for the technical challenge part. There is a wealth of free and easy-to-use resources available online, so make use of them. It is also a great way of gauging what you don’t know, so it isn’t a shocking discovery mid-interview.
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