How to Prepare for Your Cybersecurity Interview
Cybersec Café #56 - 02/25/25
Let’s be real - interviews in tech nowadays are tougher than ever.
They’re long, hyper-competitive, and can sometimes feel harder than the job itself.
In many ways, they’re impractical - testing your ability to memorize algorithms, regurgitate buzzwords, and solve isolated problems that rarely mirror real-world challenges.
However, in other ways, they’re more effective than ever - filtering out poor communicators early, enforcing a baseline for technical skills, and (hopefully) assessing your expertise through thoughtful questions and scenarios.
Interviewing is a game, and like any game, you need to know how to play it.
Here’s how to prepare for that next interview.
Interview Structure
If it’s your first time interviewing for a cybersecurity role, understanding the typical structure is key.
These interviews are never one-and-done - there are multiple rounds, each serving a different purpose.
Round 1: The Recruiter Screen
Your first conversation will likely be with a recruiter. Their job is to assess your experience, make sure you align with the role’s expectations, and determine if you’re a good cultural fit for the company.
Rounds 2-4: Technical and Team Interviews
The number of middle rounds varies, but this is where you’ll meet your potential teammates and hiring manager. Expect technical assessments to evaluate your knowledge, problem-solving skills, and hands-on abilities. They’ll also be gauging how well you can collaborate with others and communicate your thought process.
Final Round: Leadership Sign-Off
The last round is often with a senior leader - someone who has a big-picture view of the organization and can tell whether you fit the company’s long-term vision.. They’ll be evaluating your potential impact and if you complement the existing team.
To succeed in each of these rounds, I’ve identified three key areas to focus on.
The “You” Part
This is arguably the most important part of every interview, and it’s almost always how the conversation starts.
Your job? Sell the person across from you on why you deserve this role.
Here’s how it usually goes - You join a Zoom call or walk into the interview room, exchange in some small talk, and then get asked some derivative of “So, tell me about yourself.”
This is your moment. You can only make a first impression once.
It’s paramount to have this part of your interview dialed in - you need to practice.
No rambling, no hesitation. In just a few minutes, you should be able to deliver a narrative that explains how you got here, why you’re here, and what makes you qualified.
But here’s the trick: You need to answer these questions without straight up answering them.
Tell a story.
Here’s a blueprint to keep your intro tight and engaging, while keeping it between 3-5 minutes.
Start from the Beginning
What sparked your interest in cybersecurity? Maybe it was a capture-the-flag competition, a security breach you read about online, or even a class. Everyone’s answer here will be different. Whatever it was, highlight your passion right from the jump - make them feel your enthusiasm.
Talk about Your Journey
How did you get here? Walk through your key experiences - first job, side projects, big milestones. Focus on impact, not just responsibilities. Show how each step built upon the last, leading you to this interview now.
Flex Your Experience…
But keep it conversational. This isn’t the time to list every technical detail. Instead, keep things high-level and leave room for the interviewer to ask for more details. The more conversational the interview feels, the better.
Wrap It Up
Finish strong. Explain why you’re looking for something new. And be honest. A great way to frame this is by talking about your desire to grow as a professional - companies love candidates who are eager to push themselves.
Once you have your story down, polish the finer points:
Make sure your resume aligns with your narrative - it helps structure your story chronologically.
Be ready to dive deep when asked. Have examples read to go where you can break down your experiences (tech stack, architectural decisions, problem-solving approach).
Always frame your stories around problem, solution, impact - this makes your story points compelling and quantifiable.
Like I said, this will take practice.
But once you nail this part of the interview, you’ll walk in with confidence - that’s already winning half the battle.
And don’t worry - I’ll be writing another article soon on how to craft a killer resume, so make sure to subscribe so you don’t miss it.
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The Technical Part
Right now, cybersecurity is arguably the most difficult tech field to break into.
You need to have a holistic view of everything - networks, cloud, infrastructure, applications, big-data… the list goes on.
Cybersecurity also demands interdisciplinary knowledge - you’re expected to navigate across teams and technologies, filling in gaps where needed and providing security advice throughout the stack.
But don’t let that intimidate you.
The technical interview is just a song and dance.
Lock in Your Foundation
You need to know the fundamentals cold. These topics aren’t just helpful - they’re non-negotiable: Networks, Protocols, Security Fundamentals, Authn & Authz, Cryptography. If you hesitate on any of these, go back and review.
Technical Skills
Now, not every position in cybersecurity is deeply technical, but the high paying ones usually are. Here’s what you can focus on based on the role:
Analyst - Have a deep understanding of identifying and acting on threat intelligence. Work on recognizing Indicators of Compromise. Articulate your thought process clearly.
AppSec - PortSwigger’s free Web Academy is a great way to freshen up on web vulns, and great practice to sharpen your web security skills. Get comfortable inside BurpSuite.
Security Engineering - LeetCode isn’t as applicable for our line of work as is for Software Engineers, but basic algorithm knowledge helps. A lot of companies treat Security Engineers as an extension of Software Engineering, so there is a lot of crossover in interview expectations.
The Practical
Every company has different technical assessments. The best way to prepare? Read the job description - it’s essentially a cheat sheet for what they’ll test you on. Expect scenario-based questions to gauge how you approach real-world scenarios.
GitHub
Your GitHub is like a living, breathing resume. If you’re building, build in public. A well-maintained GitHub shows initiative and proves your technical skills beyond just words. If you list your GitHub on your resume, keep it updated and be prepared to discuss your projects.
At the end of the day, your technical skills need to back up your experience. Give them no reason to say no.
The People Part
When it comes down to it, companies hire people that they actually want to work with.
Technical skills can get you in the door, but personality and connection will seal the deal.
Be Personable
Look for opportunities to show your personality and connect with your interviewer on a human level - especially if they’re someone you’d be working alongside. In some ways, this is an art form. It requires attentive listening and genuine curiosity - don’t be afraid to ask questions back!
Be Yourself
Give real answers. Don’t just say what you think they want to hear - most people can spot BS a mile away. Authenticity is always better than regurgitating a rehearsed script.
Be Honest
It’s okay to say, “I don’t know.” But don’t stop there. Instead, follow up with, “I don’t know, but if I were in a position where I needed to figure it out, I would…” Use it as an opportunity to demonstrate your problem-solving skills and adaptability.
Also make sure to also be honest about what you’re looking for. The best interviews go both ways - you want a good fit just as much as they do.
Show You’re Looking to Grow
Companies want to hire someone who’s invested - not just someone using the company as a stepping stone (even if deep down, that’s part of your plan). The best way to show your ambition? Ask about upward mobility within the company.
Ask Good Questions
Don’t come unprepared. Any interviewer will tell you it’s a red flag if the interviewee asks no questions back. So, have thoughtful questions ready - about the role, company culture, the team, or even their personal experiences and opinions on the company. And when they answer? Listen actively and ask follow ups - show you’re engaged and serious about the opportunity.
One quote that has stuck with me throughout both my personal and professional life:
“People won’t always remember what you said, but they will remember how you made them feel.”
If you take one thing away from this section, let it be this: Lead every interaction with positivity.
Ace that Interview
Interviews may be tough, but preparing for them doesn’t have to be.
Know your story and tell it well.
Hone your technical skills so you’re ready for the role.
Be the kind of teammate you’d want to work with.
With this blueprint, you’ll be well on your way to landing that first/next cybersecurity job. Now, go crush it!
Securely Yours,
The Cybersec Cafe
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