Career Mythbusters 2.0

1. Career Mythbusters 2.0 Lee Kushner May 16, 2012 NY Metro ISSA Chapter lee@ljkushner.com

2. Background LJ Kushner & Associates • Since 1999, Have Been Recruiting Information Security Professionals Throughout North America • Clients Represent All Facets of the Industry: End Users, Professional Services, Security Products • Searches Range from CSO/CISO to Technical Information Security Staff • Regular Columnist on Information Security Career Related Topics at Searchsecurity.com InfoSecLeaders.com • Source for career guidance for information security • Industry research on information security career related topics • Home of Career Advice Tuesday • Individual Career Coaching 2

3. Employment of The Future • Security is Increasingly Popular Career Choice • Competition for Key Roles Increasing • Many more qualified people • Fewer desirable jobs • Differentiation From Peers More Important • Less Corporate Focus on Professional Development   • Decreasing Loyalty – Both Employer and Employee   • Effective Career Networking Essential   • Personal Branding and Public Perception Critical  

4. Ignorance is Dangerous

5. Being Misinformed is Disastrous

6. Myth Categories • Skills • Professional Development • Career Planning • Position Selection • Money/ Compensation

7. Skills Myth: Being an Information Security Professional Guarantees that I will Remain Employed Reality: Talent and Relevance Insures Your Employment

8. Skills Myth : What You Know Today Is Sufficient Reality: If You Choose Not To Grow, You Will Be Surpassed By Others Who Invest in Themselves

9. Skills Myth: As I Advance In My Career, I Can Ignore My Technical Skills and Knowledge Reality: Awareness, Knowledge, and Aptitude of Technical Information Security Concepts and Solutions are Key Differentiators for Advancement

10. Skills Myth : As I Advance in My Career, Specific Industry Knowledge is Less Importance. Reality: The More Senior The Role, The More You Need To Understand the Business You Are Securing

11. Professional Development Myth: My CISSP Will Differentiate Me From My Peers Reality: You Have Over 75,000 Peers Who Think The Same Thing

12. Professional Development Myth: As Soon As I Attain a Certification or Advanced Degree I am Entitled To More Responsibility and More Money Reality: When I Demonstrate the Value of My Career Investment to My Employer, I Should Be Able to Make a Case for More Responsibility and Money

13. Professional Development Myth: Certification Matter to Knowledgeable Employers Reality: Certification Matter Most to HR Departments Who Rely The Completion of On-Line Applications and Key Word Searches

14. Career Planning Myth: Your Career Will Be A Natural Organic Progression From One Job To Another Reality: The People Who Succeed Plan To Do So

15. Career Planning Myth: You Should Expect Your Employer to Help Manage Your Career Reality: Your Career Management is Entirely Your Responsibility

16. Career Planning Myth: Switching Jobs Is The Easiest Way To Receive a Promotion Reality: Promotions Are Usually Given to Employees Who Have Demonstrated Their Value to Their Employer

17. Career Planning Myth: You Need To Remain at a Job For a Long Time Reality: You Need to Remain at a Job Long Enough to Demonstrate You Have Accomplished Something of Relevance and Significance

18. Career Planning Myth: Your On-Line Presence and Social Networks Do Not Matter Reality: This is the First Thing People Check

19. Career Planning Myth: Your LinkedIn Recommendations Matter Reality: They Really Don’t (Especially When They Are Reciprocal)

20. Position Selection/Interviewing Myth: Resumes Are Not That Important Reality: Resumes Are The Paper Version of You

21. Position Selection/Interviewing Myth: Resumes are About What You Have Done Reality: Resumes Are About Marketing Yourself For What You Would Like to Do

22. Position Selection/Interviewing Myth: Employers Are Often Willing To Take Chances on Unknown People for Important Roles Reality: Employers Want to Cover Their Asses. Transitive Trust and Validation Are Essential

23. Position Selection/Interviewing Myth: The Hiring Manager Should Hear About You From Your Resume Reality: Your Resume Should Support The Hiring Manager’s Previous Knowledge of Who You Are

24. Position Selection/Interviewing Myth: Your Career Plans and Future Goals Matter a Great Deal to Your Future Employer Reality: Your Future Employer is Attempting to Solve an Immediate Problem for Which They Have No Solution

25. Position Selection/Interviewing Myth : Your Job Title Is Very Important Reality: Your Job Title is Very Important to Your Mother and Your Mother - In - Law

26. Money/Negotiations Myth: Because I Work in Info Sec I Am Entitled to Earn More Money Reality: Not According to HR Departments

27. Money/Negotiations Myth: On-Line Web Sites Are Excellent Resources for Determining Your Market Value Reality: Only the “Market” Can Help You Understand the Value of Your Skills and Experience

28. Money/Negotiations Myth: You Will Receive a Raise Because You Are Entitled To Reality: Receiving a Raise Requires Three Things – Your Performance, Your Employer’s Awareness, and Their Ability to Do Something About It

29. Money/Negotiations Myth: The More a Job Pays, The Better It Is For Your Career Reality: Jobs That Pay Too Much Are Contracting Opportunities in Disguise

30. Money/Negotiations Myth: Mentioning Money First Is A Sure Way Not to Receive The Compensation You Desire Reality: Setting a Baseline For Your Talents Along With Logic and Market Data To Support Your Compensation Needs, Is A Very Effective Negotiation Tactic

31. Conclusions • Develop a Career Plan To Align With Your Goals • Build an Effective Professional Network • Understand the Market Place For Your Skills • Proactively Manage Your Career

32. Conclusions There Is A Big Difference Between Advice and GOOD Advice

33. Contact Information: Lee Kushner lee@ljkushner.com or lee@infosecleaders.com 732-577-8100 Twitter - @ljkush