Navigating Cybersecurity Recruitment: Insights from Carter Miller

In this episode of the Cyber Security Recruiter podcast, Tom engages in a candid conversation with Carter Miller, the head of talent at Trail of Bits. They discuss Carter's journey in the recruitment industry, touching on his roles at various organizations including Scope Group, Capital One, and Research Innovations. They delve into the importance of passion, continuous learning, and community involvement for candidates looking to excel in cybersecurity roles.

Carter shares insights on effective hiring practices, the impact of AI in recruitment, and the challenges posed by fake candidates. The episode also highlights Carter's personal growth journey and his efforts to create an inclusive and agile work environment at Trail of Bits. Book recommendation: ´The Rising Leader Handbook´ by Mark Silverman.

00:00 Introduction and Technical Issues

01:15 Carter Miller's Career Journey

03:48 Recruitment Insights and Strategies

09:23 AI and Cybersecurity Innovations

15:34 Hiring Criteria and Candidate Tips

18:48 Hiring Passionate People at Trail of Bits

19:19 Importance of Blockchain and Public Contests

20:43 Job Search Fatigue and Candidate Preparation

21:54 Challenges in Reviewing Resumes

24:12 AI in Job Applications

30:57 Building Relationships in Recruiting

35:14 The Rising Leader Handbook

38:46 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Carter suggested:

The Rising leader Handbook by Mark Silverman

The Journey from Employee to Cybersecurity Entrepreneur with Kevin Johnson

In this episode of the Cyber Security Recruiter podcast, the host interviews Kevin Johnson, CEO of Secure Ideas.

Kevin shares his experience and insights from his career journey, including his early days as a programmer, a SANS instructor, and his transition to running his own successful cybersecurity firm. He discusses the differences between being busy and being productive, the importance of consuming and discerning information, and the ethical implications of business practices like cold calling.

Kevin also emphasizes the role of a strong support network in achieving entrepreneurial success and offers advice on how to sustain long-term business growth.

Additionally, he recommends Malcolm Gladwell's podcast 'Revisionist History' for its insights into understanding and solving complex problems.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:23 The Busy vs. Productive Debate

02:15 Kevin's Journey into Cybersecurity

04:42 The Importance of Consuming Knowledge

07:24 From Employee to Entrepreneur

14:48 The Power of Doing

18:29 The Evolution of MVPs and Security Concerns

19:10 Leadership vs. Management: A Personal Insight

20:04 The Importance of Fun in the Workplace

21:24 A Unique Approach to Customer Service

26:07 The Ethics of Cold Calling and Inbound Marketing

31:52 The Impact of Revisionist History

36:45 Concluding Thoughts and Reflections

Kevin suggested:

Talking to Strangers book and Revisionist History podcast by Malcolm Gladwell

Navigating the Job Market:- Insights from Industry Experts

In this episode of the Talent Acquisition podcast, Tom welcomes Donna Pacheco, a seasoned talent acquisition specialist, for an in-depth discussion on the contemporary recruitment landscape.

Donna shares her extensive career journey and insights from her experience in various sectors, including healthcare and logistics. The conversation covers the chaotic post-COVID job market, emphasizing the importance of industry-specific knowledge and adaptability.

Key topics include the impact of AI on job applications, strategies for effective job searching, relationship-building with recruiters, and the evolving nature of recruitment in a more volatile world. Both Tom and Donna stress the importance of authenticity and due diligence for job seekers and recruiters alike, offering practical advice to help navigate these unprecedented times.

Donna recommends reading  Franklin Covey series about being mindful of time management.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:30 Donna's Career Journey

01:13 Post-COVID Job Market Insights

03:09 AI and Technology in Job Hunting

03:34 Industry-Specific Job Market Trends

05:36 Using AI for Resumes and Interviews

15:47 Building Relationships in Recruiting

17:23 Challenges in Modern Recruiting

19:46 Scaling Back on Profiles

20:17 The Importance of Personal Branding

21:00 Challenges in Recruitment

22:35 Fake Applications and Impersonation Issues

24:38 The Value of Initial Screening Calls

25:23 Recruiter and Candidate Communication

26:31 Understanding Recruiter Workloads

29:05 The Impact of Company Restructuring

31:13 The Joy and Challenges of Recruitment

34:39 Time Management Tips for Recruiters

Donna suggested:

Franklin Covey Training series

Balancing Cybersecurity and Skateboarding: Insights from Patrick Garrity

In this episode of the Cyber Security Recruiter podcast, Thomas is joined by Patrick Garrity, an experienced cybersecurity professional with a unique passion for skateboarding. They discuss Patrick’s journey from sales to high-level roles in cybersecurity, his innovative office setup, and his skateboarding adventures.

Patrick shares his experiences with injury, the importance of vulnerability and persistence in professional development, and strategies for effective online engagement. They also explore valuable resources for cybersecurity research and the importance of staying active, both mentally and physically. Patrick recommends the book 'The Mutt' by skateboard legend Rodney Mullen for inspiration.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:12 Skateboarding Passion and Injuries

02:47 Patrick's Professional Journey

04:05 Daily Life and Work in Cybersecurity

05:37 The Importance of Communication Skills

07:35 Embracing Criticism and Feedback

17:50 Balancing Work and Hobbies

21:28 The Importance of Surrounding Yourself with Good People

22:53 Climbing the Career Ladder: Titles and Responsibilities

30:47 Balancing Work and Personal Life

34:07 Resources for Vulnerability Research

37:29 Conference Highlights and Networking

40:05 Book Recommendations and Personal Growth

42:07 Final Thoughts and Reflections

Navigating Career Growth and Modern Sales Strategies with Kyle Pardue

In this episode of the Cyber Security Recruiter podcast, Tom welcomes Kyle Pardue, a seasoned professional with a diverse career trajectory from accounting to sales leadership at Kirkpatrick Price. Kyle shares insights on overcoming technical glitches, career progression, and the importance of sales and communication skills, especially in a down market. He emphasizes the value of personalized outreach, such as handwritten notes and thoughtful communication. Kyle also discusses his approach to hiring and managing sales teams, stressing creativity and authenticity. He highlights the importance of continuous learning and leadership, referencing John Maxwell's 'The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership' as a key influence.

The conversation wraps up with a focus on achieving goals and cultivating healthy habits for sustained success.

00:00 Introduction

00:22 Guest Introduction: Kyle's Career Journey

00:56 Day in the Life of Kyle: New Dad and Sales Leader

02:08 Sales Strategies and Market Insights

02:28 Kyle's Career Progression and Promotions

05:09 The Importance of Being Remembered

06:32 Sales Skills and Authenticity

09:03 The Changing Landscape of Sales

11:45 Recruiting and Hiring Insights

18:03 Managing Different Personalities

18:36 Breaking Down Big Goals into Manageable Steps

19:16 Encouraging Creativity in Sales Plans

20:37 Recruitment Strategies: Going Beyond Job Postings

22:26 The Importance of Personal Touch in Outreach

25:27 Challenges and Changes in Sales Communication

28:29 The Power of Personalized Outreach

32:54 Influential Books and Mentorship

36:15 Year-End Goals and Healthy Habits

Kyle suggested:

The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership by John C. Maxwell

Navigating the Complexities of Cybersecurity Recruitment with Lane McFarland

In this episode of the Cyber Security Recruiter Podcast, the host is joined by Lane McFarland, the VP of People Operations, Operational Excellence, Process Automation, and Workforce Planning at Flashpoint.

Lane shares insights into his extensive career, which spans various roles in operations and people management. The discussion delves into the intricacies of modern recruitment practices, the impact of AI on job seeking and hiring processes, and the strategies for effective networking and outreach in a competitive job market.

Lane emphasizes the importance of ethical use of AI, the value of honest and realistic resumes, and the significance of maintaining a robust professional network. The episode is filled with practical advice and real-world examples, making it a valuable resource for both job seekers and recruiters.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

01:31 Lane's Career Journey

02:26 Day in the Life of Lane

04:30 AI in Cybersecurity Recruitment

09:55 Challenges in Recruitment

18:54 Ethics and AI in Recruitment

24:27 The Importance of In-Person Interviews

25:40 Coaching Through Resume and Interview Preparation

26:33 The Role of Personal Connections in Job Applications

30:06 Balancing Remote and In-Person Work

36:10 Effective Outreach Strategies for Job Seekers

43:18 The Value of Networking and Mentorship

45:50 Recommended Resources for Professional Growth

Lane suggested:

 Dare to Lead by Brene Brown

Books by Ben Eubanks

Navigating Cybersecurity Careers: Insights from Alfredo Hickman's Phenomenal Journey

In this episode of the Cybersecurity Recruiter podcast, Thomas sits down with Alfredo Hickman, a seasoned cybersecurity professional with a rich background in both the military and commercial sectors.

Alfredo shares his career journey, including his time in the United States Marine Corps, transitions to key roles at Vista International Operations, Rackspace, and currently at Ossian Security. The discussion highlights key topics such as the significance of community in cybersecurity, the impact of AI at the Black Hat conference, and advice for transitioning military personnel into the commercial world.

Alfredo also delves into career progression strategies, the importance of genuine human connections, and the value of resilience and perseverance. The conversation is filled with valuable insights for both job seekers and employers in the cybersecurity industry.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

01:00 Alfredo Hickman's Career Journey

04:05 Black Hat Conference Insights

14:23 Transitioning from Military to Commercial World

18:05 Job Search Tips from an Employer's Perspective

23:20 Spotting Resume Red Flags

23:47 Balancing Job Search and Lifestyle

25:01 The Importance of Networking

25:37 Climbing the Career Ladder

26:08 Resilience and Grit: Personal Stories

27:53 Inspirational Quotes and Their Impact

35:39 Building Relationships for Career Growth

42:26 Recommended Reads for Personal Growth

44:17 Final Thoughts and Reflections

Films/quotes that Alfredo mentions and are well worth checking out:

Theodore Roosevelt, The Man in the Arena

Rocky Balboa film

Mother Theresa of Calcutta

Rudyard Kipling - If

Books that Alfredo recommends:  

The Hard Thing about Hard Things by Ben Horowitz  

Jocko Willink. Extreme Ownership

General Stanley McChrystal, Team of Teams

From Network Analyst to Cybersecurity Entrepreneur: A Conversation with Vinson Cornejo.

In this episode of the Cybersecurity Recruiter Podcast, Thomas speaks with Vinson Cornejo, Founder and Managing Partner of Blue Cloak. Vinson shares his professional journey from a network analyst at George Washington University to starting his own cybersecurity company. The discussion covers Vinson's typical day, the transition from being an employee to an employer, and the challenges and rewards of running a business.

Vinson also explores the role of AI in cybersecurity and offers insights into the hiring process and the importance of interest and passion in the field. The episode concludes with a look into Vinson's favorite resources for career growth and personal development.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:14 Client Demands and Productive Mornings

01:11 Vinson's Career Journey 02:42 A Day in the Life

08:52 The Challenges and Rewards of Entrepreneurship

15:09 Supporting Employee Growth and Entrepreneurship

19:27 The Importance of Character in Tough Times

20:07 Hiring for Character Over Skills

23:27 Balancing Work and Personal Life

24:04 Diving into AI and Its Applications

26:03 The Future of AI in the Workplace

28:26 Efficient Coding with AI Tools

32:58 Reusing and Integrating Code Libraries

37:10 The Impact of AI on Jobs and Society

38:18 Personal AI Agents: The Next Big Thing

39:01 Final Thoughts and Recommendations