Joanne R. Pollock

As in-person engagement has slowed or ceased because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the industry has shifted and security professionals still have ways of engaging, networking, advancing their security careers, and maintaining their professional reputations—virtually or as a hybrid. Here’s how.

Calculating your worth during a job search should be an informed exercise done before interviews start. While a good understanding of the value of your background and experience is critical, it is also important to have some knowledge of the compensation structure of any companies you would like to work for.

Interviews have long been sources of angst for job seekers. Adding even more stress to an already stressful situation, the pandemic caused many organizations to move almost exclusively into virtually screening candidates. Candidates now need to prepare for their 15 minutes of (on screen) fame in addition to a possible in-person interview.

Job titles in the security profession are not always a good indicator of where you are in your career. We have conducted a wide variety of recruitment projects around the world for our clients. One consistency is that there is no consistency. At least insofar as security job titles are concerned.

Security search firms are frequently contacted by job seekers who reach out to request the recruitment company assist them in finding a new job. Inquiries come from professionals and executives in various stages of their public or private sector careers.

We have previously talked about many aspects of how to advance your security career. This includes having a thorough understanding of both soft and operational skills sought after by organizations. The ability to execute on these attributes is valued when companies look for top talent for senior level security roles.

Unfortunately, diversity is still underrepresented in security. Our profession continues to struggle to attract and/or advance diverse candidates into leadership ranks in numbers that accurately represent a cross section of the working population.

Understanding the secrets to building and advancing careers is a common topic of discussion and debate amongst the hundreds of security professionals we’ve had the good fortune to meet in our respective careers.