Over the past few years, I’ve been very fortunate to receive employment offers from several of the top tech companies, and I thought it might be helpful for others to share how I prepare for the interview for cybersecurity interviews.
I usually spend 2-3 weeks to prepare and here’s what I do…
- Practice coding. I go through some of the easy and medium level challenges on LeetCode and research alternative solutions to the challenges after I complete them. One of the most helpful things I’ve found to prepare for coding interviews is to watch coding interviews on YouTube and try to solve the problem at the beginning of the video within a standard interview time before watching solution. I mostly use the interviewing.io channel.
- Refresh on the fundamentals. Most companies won’t expect you to invent a new algorithm during the interview, but they will test your knowledge of fundamental concepts relevant to your job category. Sometimes they go a little deeper into specific topics to assess your depth of understanding, but they don’t expect you to know everything
- Review the job posting. The job posting usually outlines the required skills and qualifications for the position. Reviewing it carefully helps you determine where to focus your study efforts. Additionally, you might find useful information like the hiring manager’s name or specific items to research further
- Study items from the job posting. Once I’ve identified items in the jobs posting to study, I make a study plan and start finding resources to learn those items. I think this ensures that I’m well-prepared for the specific requirements of the role
- Research the company. Even if you already have a good understanding of the company, you might discover new information during your research. This can be anything from recent blog posts about major projects or patched vulnerabilities that you can mention in the interview. Demonstrating your interest and dedication to the company can leave a positive impression
- Research the interviewers. Learning about the interviewers can provide valuable insights and help you establish a connection during the interview. I typically visit their LinkedIn profiles and occasionally search their names on Google to gather relevant information
- Prepare a list of questions for each interviewer. Almost every interviewer will ask you if you have any questions for them at the end. This is an excellent opportunity to gain further insight into the role and company culture. By asking thoughtful and relevant questions, you demonstrate your interest in the position
- Practice interviewing. Regular practice allows you to refine your answers and articulate your thoughts more effectively, and many companies ask similar questions
I hope this will be helpful for others that are interviewing for cybersecurity interviews at top tech companies.
