Overview:

In this weeks episode, I sit down with Marcus Stefanide, a Cyber professional with 10+ years of experience in the tech industry. He's the go-to and highly trusted individual when it comes to hiring top talent and getting the job done. He currently leads global cybersecurity talent acquisition for Converge, a leading advisor for top-tier organizations.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stefanide

Background:

He has held positions for well known companies such as Hello Innovation, Quicken Loans, and is the founder of HireSec. He currently serves as a member for the Automotive Cybersecurity Network and a Talent Advisor for The Women’s Security Alliance. In his current position he’s been exposed to working with Fortune 500 companies

Highlights:

[01:17] From Dreams of Sports Broadcasting to Cybersecurity

[06:51] Don’t Lie on your Resume, Keywords on LinkedIn, and Technical Screening

[11:00] Golden Opportunity to Attract Top Talent

[13:38] How to Stand Out in Competitive Interviews, What Hiring Leaders are looking for, and Benefits of Contributing to the InfoSec Community

[18:55] TryHackMe, Proving Grounds, and CTFs

[20:54] Breaking into Offensive Security, Interviewing at FAANG Companies, Salary Bands by Location, and Interviewing the Company you’re applying to 

[26:55] When Do College Degrees Matter in Tech? Should I get Certifications? And Understanding Requirements for Entry Level vs Leadership

[29:04] Resume Format, Grabbing Recruiters Attention, and Online Presence 

[35:02] Career Branding, Intent Matters, Tech Influencers, and Having Good Communication Skills

[45:10] High Schoolers with OSCP Certifications, New Generation of Talent, and Skills that Matter if you’re getting into the industry in your early 20s

[48:55] How to differentiate yourself as a Hiring Manager, Building Trust, Finding Candidates with an X Factor

[57:53] How to make the jump from mid-senior role to Director, CISO, and VP roles? The importance of building great relationships in the industry

[59:36] Podcast Outro & Connecting with Me