Resume and Interview Guide

Sometimes, hiring managers perform a very quick scan of resumes, usually less than a minute. Using that time, they will be trying to find answers to these four questions:

• What is the specific job I'll be applying for?

• What relevant results have I obtained that verify that I am the perfect fit for THIS role?

• What skills, qualifications, and strengths do I bring to the table, and do I have evidence supporting them?

• Have I obtained certain achievements in previous positions that will enable me to achieve these in the present one?

The answers to the four questions should appear in the top third of the resume.

The showcase section is supposed to exhibit these four answers, so when a hiring manager glances through your resume, the immediate response would be: "This is exactly who I have been looking for."

You can achieve this by:

• Adding your target job title and three high-priority skills at the very top.

• This is immediately followed by a personal branding statement that no other person can claim because it speaks to your differentiators.

• An accomplishment section deep-dives into the three most relevant ones to the present employer and position you've delivered that really matter.

• And a core strengths section filled with hard skill keywords, qualifications and strengths that are relevant to the role.

• Write resume focused on results and contribtuions bullets that spotlight the specific achievements you’ve delivered in the past. Choose achievements that directly relate to the needs, problems and goals of the position.

Employers will judge your future performance based on your past performance. Your past performance is an indicator of future success.

Use metrics, data, and figures to cement in the hiring manager’s mind that these results are repeatable and verifiable.

The more specific you are, the more believable your results.

Interview Checklist

• What is the company's mission?

• What are the company's core values?

• Did any core values align with your own?

• What do you know about their industry?

• Who are their customers and competitors?

• What are the company's main products/services?

• How do they generate revenue?

• Is there any news or content that stands out?

  • Recent events?

  • Big wins?

  • What has the company been posting on YouTube or social media?

  • Have they released any interesting research, intel, white papers, or webinars?

• Get a feel for the leadership of the company

• Who's the hiring manager? Can you see who they report to?

• Use LinkedIn to find 2-3 people that hold the job you applied to.

  • Can you gain any insights about their work experience, skills, and current responsibilities?

  • Can you find any common ground with them?

• Review the job description. In your own words write down the main purpose of this role.

  • How does this role add value to the company?

• Review the job description and note keywords

  • Think about your experience/understanding

• Review the job description and note every technology and your experience/understanding

• Review the job description and note the required skills and your experience/understanding

• "Tell us about yourself" - prepare a 2 minute statement that describes the following:

  • Your professional/educational experience and skills

  • Why you're on the market

  • How you find this opportunity and why you applied

  • How you are specifically qualified for this opportunity

• Be prepared to discuss what you know about the company. Use the research you did at the beginning of this guide to help craft a brief summary statement.

• Be prepared to discuss why you're interested in this opportunity and consider how this role applies to your career goals and interests.

• Be prepared to discuss your experience with or knowledge of the listed requirements and be ready to discuss exactly what they laid out in the job description or what you understand about the role in general.

• Be prepared to discuss how you stay current on the cyber industry

• Be prepared to discuss examples of when you solved a problem. Initiative and analytical skills are crucial in security. Think of examples from past experiences

• Be prepared to discuss how you work on a team. You will work with diverse teams and stakeholders in security. To be successful you'll have to provide examples of successfully working in a team-oriented environment.

• Be prepared to discuss your weaknesses. Don't label yourself during this question! Make it all about the job responsibilities and skills

  • "I don't have direct experience with XYZ tool but here's my understanding of it ..."

  • Take this opportunity to discuss your shortcomings and how you'll overcome those and ramp up fast.

• Be prepared to discuss your strengths. Again, don't label yourself! Adjectives don't mean much here.

  • Provide specific examples of how your experience relates to this role.

  • What kind of value can you bring based on what you know about the role?

  • Example: "Based on what you've told me so far, your team really values XYZ skill. I am confident in my ability to ..."

• Be prepared to discuss how you handle stress and/or competing priorities. Every job will require that you prioritize and get work done efficiently. Think of examples where you've succeeded in this scenario.

• Prepare 5-7 interview questions. You may only have time for 2-3 but make sure to bring thoughtful questions about the company, culture, team, and role.