Leading Managed Security Services: Growth, Hiring Advice, and Playing to Your Strengths with April Jenkins

Thomas chats with April Jenkins, Senior Director of Managed Services/Service Desk at Elite Ops, about her career path, and how she prioritizes both customer outcomes and team growth, balance, and psychological safety. April explains her organization’s expansion from 9 to 42 people through new hiring and team consolidation, and discusses current market conditions: high candidate volume, employer decisions about remote vs. office, and the importance of responsiveness, accurately matching job requirements, and adding short notes with resumes.

She shares career guidance on focusing on strengths, staying authentic, reading the room, building relationships through problem-solving, and sustaining momentum via small daily wins and protected thinking time. Recommendation: a strengths-focused book (described as “maximizing your strengths”) and the “do unto others” golden rule from a Dr Pepper Museum exhibit.

00:00 Welcome and Introductions

00:26 April’s Career Origins

02:45 Life Running 24/7 Support

05:03 Team Culture and Mindset

06:31 Scaling from 9 to 42

07:13 Hiring in a Tough Market

11:10 Standing Out as a Candidate

14:39 Internships and Career Switchers

15:12 Advice for Career Growth

17:19 Strengths and Relationship Building

20:15 Finding Your Niche in Security

21:29 Find Your Strengths

22:20 Define Your Core

24:12 Write It Down Daily

25:24 Protect Thinking Time

26:29 Start Small Habits

28:40 Momentum From Small Wins

29:51 Ignore Social Media Timelines

32:15 Relationships As Deposits

34:33 Authenticity And Feedback

37:36 Golden Rule Leadership

40:00 Wrap Up And Thanks

Recruiter Insights for a Tough Market: Resumes, Interviews, Follow-Ups, and Professionalism

On the Cyber Security Recruiter podcast, Tom chats with Barb Adrian, Chief People Officer at Procellis Technology. about how candidates can stand out in a competitive, layoff-impacted market.

Barb stresses a well-constructed, proof-read resume (errors like misspellings or mismatched dates are deal-breakers), showcasing community involvement, and limiting work history to relevant recent years. For interviews, she advises researching the company, being prepared for recruiter calls, asking thoughtful questions (including culture and what the interviewer loves about the job), practicing communication, and being comfortable with silence rather than babbling.

She welcomes proactive outreach via LinkedIn or email and emphasizes follow-up and professionalism on virtual interviews (clean space, appropriate attire, minimal oversharing). Barb notes AI filtering can miss great candidates, so she manually reviewed 430 applicants, and she finds referrals especially effective.

00:56 Meet Barb Career Journey

02:01 Resume Must Haves

03:21 Interview Prep and Flow

05:57 Smart Questions to Ask

07:05 Relaxed Communication Tips

09:41 Reaching Out and Standing Out

10:30 AI Screening and Follow Up

14:35 Worst Phone Interview Story

16:30 Virtual Interview Professionalism

17:21 Oversharing Red Flags

18:06 Stay Professional until Offer

18:51 Dress For Success

19:36 Market Shift Reality Check

20:24 Community Interview Support

23:51 AI Screening Pitfalls

25:07 Referrals Beat Algorithms

25:46 LinkedIn Noise And Etiquette

28:07 Hiring Needs And Candidate Energy

30:52 Human Touch And Mental Health

33:04 Learning Through Your Network

34:23 Episode Wrap Up

Navigating Cybersecurity Careers and Communication with Jake Everett

In this episode of the Cybersecurity Recruiter Podcast, Thomas welcomes Jake Everett, VP of Offensive Security at Rule4. They discuss technical challenges, the impact of AI, and Jake's career journey from the Marine Corps to the commercial world.

Jake shares his daily responsibilities, the importance of communication and responsiveness, and educational resources that have been pivotal for his career. They also explore the role of honesty and detailed problem-solving in successful cybersecurity careers.

Jake recommends the book 'Sandworm' and highlights valuable online resources like Hack the Box, Try Hack Me, and YouTube videos for continued learning.

00:00 Introduction and Technical Glitches

00:20 AI in Podcasting and Everyday Life

01:03 Jake Everett's Career Journey

02:02 A Day in the Life of a VP of Offensive Security

02:38 The Four-Day Work Week

04:31 Preparing for OSCP and Continuous Learning

08:25 Physical Pen Testing and Lock Picking

09:35 Transitioning from the Marine Corps to Tech

10:27 The Importance of Practical Application in Learning

12:37 Communication Skills in Cybersecurity

14:37 Honesty and Integrity in Job Applications

16:36 Building Trust in Cybersecurity

17:45 The Power of Word of Mouth

18:31 Effective Communication Tips

22:23 Career Progression to VP Level

24:27 The Role of AI in Recruitment

28:01 The Value of Continuous Learning

29:03 The Impact of Cyber Warfare

32:08 The Importance of a Positive Algorithm Diet

33:11 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Unlocking the Secrets of Talent Acquisition with John Herrick

In this episode of the Cybersecurity Recruiter Podcast, Thomas interviews John Herrick, a seasoned professional in the recruitment industry. They discuss John's career trajectory from a boutique agency in 2012 to his current role as a Global Talent Acquisition Manager. John shares insights on the effectiveness of ice baths, the benefits of over-communicating, and the importance of networking for finding passive candidates. He also shares personal growth tips, emphasizing the need for proactive outreach and heavy note-taking.

The conversation is enriched with anecdotes about hiring across different cultures and the importance of aligning with hiring managers. For book lovers, John recommends survival books focused on edible plants, and for podcast enthusiasts, he enjoys 'The Joe Rogan Experience.

00:00 Introduction and Ice Bath Discussion

01:07 John Herrick's Career Journey

01:42 Agency vs In-House Recruitment

02:49 The Importance of Professionalism in Recruitment

06:33 Challenges in the Current Job Market

11:45 Effective Communication with Hiring Managers

15:04 John's Promotion Journey and Key Learnings

21:49 Qualifying Roles and Passive Talent

22:48 Effective Communication with Hiring Managers

23:23 Cultural Differences in Hiring Practices

25:19 Proactive Stakeholder Engagement

26:05 Importance of Personality in Hiring

30:22 Learning from Candidates and Research

35:18 Personal Growth and Recommendations

35:47 Networking and Referrals

40:42 Final Thoughts and Reflections

Building Relationships and Navigating Cybersecurity Recruitment with Mariah Haag

In this episode of the Cyber Security Recruiter podcast, host Thomas is joined by Mariah Haag, a Security Project and Talent Manager at Stratum Security, which has recently merged with Cyber Advisors. They discuss the organized chaos of managing client demands, Mariah’s career progression from retail management to cybersecurity recruitment, and the vital role of building relationships within the industry.

Mariah emphasizes the importance of setting SMART goals, getting out of one's comfort zone, and maintaining work-life balance. She also shares insights on the law of attraction and recommends reading 'The Secret' and Top Biller, by Steve Guest, a recruitment book that offers practical advice from one of the top recruiters in the world.

Throughout the episode, they highlight the benefits and challenges of remote work, the value of in-office experiences, especially for newcomers, and how to leverage every interaction for personal and professional growth.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

01:04 Mariah's Career Journey

02:40 Building Relationships in Recruitment

06:30 The Importance of Stepping Out of Your Comfort Zone

12:02 Practical Tips for Relationship Building

15:02 The Power of Positive Thinking and Goal Setting

20:21 Achieving Short-Term Goals

21:22 The Importance of Fun at Work

23:38 Understanding SMART Goals

25:11 Balancing Work and Personal Life

28:00 The Value of Office Culture

36:24 Final Thoughts and Recommendations

Cyber Security Recruiter Podcast: Navigating Career Journeys and Leveraging AI with Grace Rauth,

In this episode of the Cyber Security Recruiter Podcast, Thomas interacts with Grace Rauth, the global Learning and Development Manager at Chronosphere.

Grace shares her journey from an HR specialist to an L&D specialist, emphasizing the importance of adaptability in today’s fast-changing work environment, especially with the rise of AI. The conversation also explores how Enneagram can be a powerful tool for understanding team dynamics and personal motivations. Grace shares her love for 'The Lord of the Rings' as a personal life philosophy and recommends 'Five Dysfunctions of a Team' for professional development.

The episode wraps up with practical advice for job seekers in the current tough market, emphasizing the value of AI tools, active listening, and staying positive.

00:14 Discussing the Weather and Working Conditions

01:26 Grace's Career Journey

01:59 The Startup Experience

03:31 Adapting to AI in the Workplace

11:11 The Importance of Active Listening

17:00 Understanding Motivation with Enneagram

20:28 The Challenges of Transitioning to Management

21:52 The Complexities of Sales and Recruitment

24:38 The Impact of Market Conditions on Hiring

29:38 Leveraging AI and Staying Positive in Job Search

34:37 The Value of Patience and Adaptability in Careers

Grace Rauth suggested:

The Lord of the Rings by John Ronald Reuel Tolkien

The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni

Insightful Journeys in Cybersecurity and the Impact of Emotional Intelligence

In this episode of the 'Cyber Security Recruiter' podcast, Thomas welcomes Max Schroeder, CTO at Aquiety, who shares his unique career trajectory from the beverage industry to becoming a CTO in cybersecurity. Max emphasizes the importance of emotional intelligence (EQ) in technical roles and elaborates on how his hospitality background has been instrumental to his success.

The discussion covers recurring themes concerning the hospitality industry's influence on career advancement, the significance of networking and genuine human connection in a digitized world, and the challenges and opportunities presented by AI in recruiting and cybersecurity. Max offers invaluable advice on the importance of communication skills, continuous learning, and the need for passion outside of work to stay grounded. The episode also features a thoughtful recommendation for the book 'Setting the Table' by Danny Meyer, highlighting the essence of exceptional customer service and its relevance across different fields.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:31 Max Shroeder's Career Journey

02:27 The Importance of Emotional Intelligence

05:23 Leadership and Communication Skills

10:08 Networking and AI in Recruitment

16:14 The Value of Conferences and Networking Groups

20:32 LinkedIn and Online Presence

23:23 The Quest for Authenticity in the Age of AI

24:21 Balancing AI Innovation with Security Concerns

26:30 The Importance of Quality Over Quantity in SMBs

27:48 The Power of Positive Experiences and Referrals

29:55 Building Genuine Connections in Professional Networking

33:52 Navigating Career Progression and Job Loyalty

41:34 The Value of Passion Projects and Continuous Learning

44:02 Concluding Thoughts and Reflections

Max suggested:

Setting the Table by Danny Meyer

Navigating Cybersecurity and Career Transitions with George Charles Osterholt

In this episode of the Cyber Security Recruiter podcast, the host welcomes George Charles Osterholt, a lead cybersecurity engineer at Scientia. They discuss George's career transition from managing sizable teams in restaurants to becoming an advisor at Indiana University and later advancing in the cybersecurity field.

George shares his insights on managing remote teams, the importance of cybersecurity compliance, and the challenges of integrating AI into security measures. He also offers valuable advice on effectively communicating the importance of cybersecurity to non-technical stakeholders.

George recommends 'The Alchemist' by Paulo Coelho and a book about the life of MF Doom, emphasizing the importance of adventure, self-realization, and sticking to first principles in one's career journey.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:41 George's Background and Career Journey

01:16 A Day in the Life of a Cybersecurity Engineer

02:19 CMMC and Compliance in Cybersecurity

03:17 The Importance of Security and Privacy

04:19 Team Dynamics and Development

05:21 Incident Response and Continuous Learning

10:10 Balancing Budget and Security

13:51 Communicating ROI in Cybersecurity

19:45 AI and the Future of Cybersecurity

22:21 Navigating Security with Caveats

23:41 Effective Cybersecurity Training

24:54 Visible Security and Trust

25:42 Communication and Adaptability in Security

26:33 Lessons from the Restaurant Industry

29:03 Incident Response and Agility

32:59 Career Transitions and Lifelong Learning

35:08 The Future of AI and Cybersecurity

36:41 Economic Cycles and Career Resilience

37:44 Adapting to Remote Work

39:50 Books that Inspire and Guide

42:07 Final Thoughts and Reflections

George suggested:

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

The Chronicles of Doom by S.H. Fernando Jr.