Demand for cybersecurity professionals is on the rise. According to multiple sources including Forbes Magazine and LinkedIn, the cybersecurity industry is expected to have 3.5 million high paying unfilled jobs by 2021. Furthermore, there aren’t enough highly-skilled cybersecurity experts to fill all of the vacancies. Since companies are experiencing challenges filling jobs, security is often compromised.
The 2017 Global Information Security Workforce Study, sponsored by The Center for Cyber Safety and Education, estimates that “there are not enough cybersecurity workers in their organizations to meet the challenges they currently face.” Hiring managers are eager to fill vacancies within their organizations, but there is still a demand for candidates that stand apart from others.
You have likely prepared for your interview by going over your resume and practicing a mock interview. Additionally, you should plan to ask the interviewer several questions so that you can show a deeper understanding of the company and the role you may play within the organization. Asking questions is another opportunity for you to highlight your strengths. Well-thought out questions can bring positive attention to you as a candidate and can give you beneficial information to help you decide if the opportunity is right for you.
Here are 8 questions to ask the interviewer:
- Can you describe the corporate culture?
- Ask up-to-date, technical questions regarding workflow and logistics.
- Ask for a description of the long-term technical challenges the department has faced.
- If customer service is a part of your position, you will want to have an understanding of call-center call volume and the expected response time.
- Are there any career development programs available?
- Are there any projects in the future?
- What are the most valuable skills necessary to succeed in this position?
- What do you like most about working for this company?
Remember to keep your questions open-ended, as “yes or no” questions are superficial and don’t allow you to gain valuable insight. The interview is for the employer and for the candidate to become familiar with each other. Take the time to research the company so your questions reflect a deeper understanding, but also ask genuine questions based on your interests and curiosity.
