If you have a cybersecurity interview coming up, you probably know that you should review the common IT interview questions and behavioral questions. Reviewing core cybersecurity principles so you can explain them to interviewers will be the most critical step for succeeding in technical IT and cybersecurity interviews. For behavioral interviews, using the STAR method with correct interview etiquette will help you land the job.
But you also need to know what questions to ask during an interview. At the end of each cybersecurity interview, especially at behavioral interviews, the interviewer will ask if you have any questions for them. Many job seekers don’t prepare questions beforehand, confident that they’ll think of questions in the moment. But planning to “wing” your questions on the fly is risky and ineffective. Asking thoughtful questions at the end of the interview can often give you the final push you need when the interviewer leaves feedback. While questions can be informed by what you discuss in the interview, your interviewer will be especially impressed if these questions demonstrate your interest and understanding of the company.
As the Chief Information Officer at Envera Health and now a mentor at Pathrise, I’ve interviewed hundreds of candidates throughout my career. I always make a note if candidates ask good questions at the end of the session. That’s because employers use this feedback to determine if the candidate would accept the position and remain interested in the role long term. Basically, asking good questions can affect the decision to move forward and/or extend an offer to a candidate.
We’ve made a list of the best questions for job seekers to ask during a cybersecurity interview. Practice these questions to go into your interview with confidence and impress your interviewer. You can customize each question to your specific role and company. After technical interviews, you may also be able to ask specific follow up questions about the technical cybersecurity principles discussed and how they relate to the role.
Best questions to ask in a cybersecurity interview:
- What tools and tech stacks will I use in the role?
- Can you tell me how you currently identify security gaps and risks?
- What is the most challenging part of your day at [company]?
- What kind of organizational structure should I expect?
- What are the main contributions and goals of the cybersecurity & IT team at the moment? How does this role add to that?
- What traits should a successful IT professional at your company possess?
- What opportunities for professional development and technical upskilling are available in this role?
- How do you measure success? How will you know in a year, if I’ve been a successful hire?
- What do you like most about working at [company]?
- How would my work directly affect the company’s mission of [company mission]?
- I read that [recent update about company]. How does that affect [the mission, the work of the design team, etc]?
- If I were to start on the team tomorrow, what would my first task be?
These questions show you are excited about the company and mission, willing to learn, and driven to work hard. Preparing the questions before you arrive at your interview will make sure you don’t freeze up and give you the confidence you need to lead the conversation. They will also ensure that the interviewer is left with a positive impression of you and your culture fit.
Cybersecurity and IT are often considered among the best jobs for career changers due to the high demand and competitive salaries. However, competition can be fierce, especially for cybersecurity roles at top companies like Cisco or Microsoft.
Pathrise is a career accelerator that helps people land their dream job in tech. Our expert mentors work 1-on-1 with you to help you optimize your resume, ace interviews, and negotiate a higher salary. On average, our fellows double their interview scores and get 3x more interviews. It’s free until you land a job.
