While the focus of our Cybersecurity Training Program is to prepare participants for the Certificate, we also want to ensure they walk away with the skills needed to search for and find jobs that suit them best. For this reason, the program includes a Career Development portion, where we cover resume preparation, cover letter writing, job search tools, and interview strategies.

One participant was looking for jobs online and saw one of our posts on social media. With barely three months as a new Canadian, she joined our program last June. In her own words, she tells us how these sessions helped her during a specific interview process:

Connecting Experience to Opportunity

One key strategy I applied was to introduce myself clearly and provide structured answers that highlighted my relevant experience without over-explaining, since they already had my resume. Even though I only had two years of finance experience in a different field, I focused on making my past roles as relevant as possible to the job I was applying for. At one point, when they pointed out that I lacked experience in a specific task, I explained that while I didn’t have direct experience in that area, I had developed related skills in other areas. I aimed to show how my experience could be seen as relevant by drawing connections and providing specific examples.

Another key takeaway from the training was the idea that interviewers could also feel uncomfortable or anxious. Keeping this in mind, I approached my interviews with a goal to set a relaxed tone from the start. I greeted each interviewer in a friendly yet professional manner, aiming to create a light-hearted atmosphere without compromising professionalism.

Despite my personal anxiety, given that it was my first interview and that I cared deeply about this opportunity, I reminded myself that the interviewers needed me as much as I needed them. I focused on demonstrating that my profile was a strong fit for the role.

Showcasing Interpersonal Skills

Rather than just stating that I was good at communicating, I engaged in conversations during the interviews. When I was asked a question, I answered thoroughly and steered the discussion to make it more interactive and cheerful, showcasing my ability to lead and communicate effectively.

Additionally, I prepared structured responses to situational questions, and always tied them back to my past experiences. Even though I had only two years of relevant experience, I drew connections to my background in communication and other areas, like singing and social media, to illustrate my versatility and ability to apply my skills in various contexts.

Landing the Dream Job

Hoyem took the best of what our team shared in class and in employment counselling sessions, and turned it into hew own tools for success. All her preparation paid off. Last week, she excitedly sent us the news that she got job she wanted. Congratulations!