Learn the System Work the Vectors Hacking Hired

Learn the System Work the Vectors
Hacking Hired

Hacking Hired
Remember that each instance, each interaction is unique.
It’s up to you to hack it.
This information is presented with the goal of providing transparency to the job search process overall for IT Security, InfoSec,
and Cybersecurity careers.
The specifics for each of us are extensive factors for each search and tied to factors such as the stage in one’s career and
goals. The team at Recruit Bit Security is available to speak to discuss specifics but individuals are responsible for their own
career.
Also, if you have suggestions to add to this presentation, please share with us.
Find our contact details at
www.RecruitBitSecurity.com
and we’ll help you
Find the 1

$ whois /rachel harpley
Founder, Recruit Bit Security (RBS)
9 years in Recruiting with 5 years focused on InfoSec & IT Security
• Co-Chair, Board Member
• Cybersecurity Council of Arizona (CCofAZ)
• Chair, Marketing Initiatives
• Arizona Governor’s Arizona Cybersecurity Team (ACT)
• Member, Cybersecurity Collaborative
• Greater Phoenix Chamber Foundation
• Chair, Workforce Readiness
• NICE RAMPS Grant 2017, AZ Statewide Cyber Workforce Consortium
• Director of Communication
• National Association of Women MBAs – Phoenix

Dianne Feinstein
US Senator
You have to learn the rules of
the game.
And then you have to play it
better than anyone else.

Agenda
• Hacking Hired
• The 4 Vectors of Job Searching
• Trends for Each Vector
• Organizations
• Hiring Trends for 2021
• Cybersecurity Employment Trends for 2021
• People
• Tools
• People

Hacking Hired
Tools
• Résumé
• Professional Social Presence
Tech
• Job Boards
• Online Application Systems/Software
People
• Recruiters
• Hiring Managers (department/technical leaders)
Orgs
• Work styles & “culture fit”
• Pay grades & litigation mitigation

Learn the Trends Work the Vectors
Hacking Hired
Tools
• Cover Letters
Tech
• Automation – foe & friend
• Video Interview Technology
People
• Networking
• Nailing the Video Interview
Orgs
• Overall Trends
• Cybersecurity Trends

Image: “Interaction Institute for Social Change” by artist Angus Maguire”
DEI remains in focus
Employers are looking not only to build diverse teams, but also to onboard
employees who are aligned with their goals. Being prepared to answer interview
questions about diversity, equity, and inclusion will show that you’re just as
committed to DEI as your future employer is.
You should also do some research and ask thoughtful questions about a company’s
programs or the make-up of their staff during your interview in order to determine
whether they align with your values.

Most
Internships
go to current
students.
Consider delaying
graduation for an
additional internship –
if you can.
Cybersecurity students and
career pivoters should be open
to IT roles to gain experience
and establish their careers.
A Generation Delayed?
The 2021 graduating college seniors will need work
experience gained through internships to be able to compete
for jobs.
Grads will have to be more openminded when evaluating
some of the jobs available.
To be successful and get a career launched, grads will need
to rely heavily on networking.

Cybersecurity Trends
Often hire junior talent

Cybersecurity Trends
Arizona Market Remains Strong

In addition to a resume relevant to each job
description, to stand out you need a cover
letter specific to each employer.
Cover Letters
Distinguish yourself from the competition.
Generic or standardized letters will likely
draw easy rejections from employers.

Brand Yourself – we Google you!
• LinkedIn – a whole ‘nother presentation
• GitHub / GitLab
• StackOverflow / StackExchange
• Hackerrank
• HackerOne
• Hack U
• Bug Bounty programs & CTFs (even if you don’t win)
• Twitter, even Facebook (consider your entire digital presence)
Learn about the eDiscovery industry
(topics Digital Capitalism and Data Sovereignty)
Social Presence

Automation & People
Example: Interview Scheduling
If a Recruiter has 10 job openings, that will require at least 20 final round
interviews PLUS the average three rounds of interviews.
This means that scheduling is for about 60 interviews. With conversations
and creation of calendar items at least 15 minutes each, that’s easily 15
hours of scheduling coordination if all goes smoothly but sometimes it’s
more time consuming.
Now include the first-round phone screen which usually requires talking to
at least 6 candidates per role which is scheduling and performing 60 phone
screens (at minimum) which is at least 45 hours. And all before scheduling
the other 20-60 interviews.
Now consider that many corporate recruiters have closer to 25 job openings
at any time. (That’s about 1,500 hours of coordination.)

Advantages
• Expectations and process more consistent
• You can streamline your process
Disadvantages
• Online applications are time consuming
• Need to stand out, but in a good way
Automation

The first 4 seconds decide:
1) Do I like you?
2) Do I trust you?
3) Are you safe?
4) Who do you remind me of?
Video Interviews
• Sound
• Location /Background
• Camera Angle
• Lighting
• You
- Eliot Hoppe, a leading expert on body language

• 70% to 85% of open positions are
filled through networking
• as much as 80% of new jobs are
never listed but are instead filled
internally or via networking
Networking
This is hard for everyone – but it’s worth the effort.

Craft your Elevator Pitch, your
60 Second Sell which focuses on
your strengths and how these
solve the business needs.
Make this your opener.
Video Interviews
Overall, 59.9% of decisions were made within
the first 15 minutes, less than halfway through
the scheduled interview time.
- Quartz

Hacking Hired
Tools
• Cover Letters
Tech
• Automation – foe & friend
• Video Interview Technology
People
• Networking
• Nailing the Video Interview
Orgs
• Overall Trends
• Cybersecurity Trends

Hacking Hired
Remember that
each instance,
each interaction
is unique in some way.
It’s up to you to hack it.

Resources
Overview of Hiring Trends for 2021
• https://www.forbes.com/sites/robinryan/2020/12/08/2021-career-predictions-and-new-trends
• https://www.themuse.com/advice/job-search-trends-tips-2021
• https://www.careerplug.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2021-Hiring-Trends-Report.pdf
Overview of Cybersecurity Employment Trends for 2021
• https://www.burning-glass.com/wp-
content/uploads/2020/10/Fastest_Growing_Cybersecurity_Skills_Report.pdf
• https://www.cyberseek.org/heatmap.html
Hacking Hired – Specific Trends and Tips
• https://www.forbes.com/sites/robinryan/2020/09/15/best-way-to-open-an-interview-to-secure-a-job-offer
• https://careers.workopolis.com/advice/first-impressions-four-things-employers-decide-about-you-in-four-
seconds/
• https://qz.com/406976/heres-how-quickly-interviewers-decide-whether-or-not-to-hire-you/
• https://www.payscale.com/career-news/2017/04/many-jobs-found-networking
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQwanxQmFnc
Hacking Hired – original slide deck
• https://www.slideshare.net/RachelHarpley/hacking-hired-build-your-career

Learn the System Work the Vectors Hacking Hired

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