Andrew Wildrix on Transitioning from the Army, Building Networks, and Standing Out in Cybersecurity Hiring

On the Cyber Security Recruiter podcast, Tom interviews Andrew Wildrix, a former US Army major and current VP of Business Development at Intrusion, about his career path from military service into cybersecurity and sales/technical leadership.

Andrew describes his day-to-day work spanning emails and sales calls, product and engineering feedback loops, budgeting for a public company, and raising Intrusion’s profile as it expands from long-term US government work into commercial markets. He contrasts government vs MSP messaging, emphasizes planning before leaving the military, and advises building networks through local professional groups and optimizing LinkedIn while avoiding divisive topics.

They discuss ATS-driven hiring challenges, the value of soft skills and translating technical concepts without condescension, creative job-search tactics to “not be a number,” and interview red flags like victim mentality. Andrew recommends reading The Phoenix Project and a Star Wars “Book of the Sith” on power and leadership.

00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro

01:11 Day in the Life at Intrusion

02:38 Branding vs Cold Outreach

03:20 Customer Feedback to Product

04:06 Army Background and Influence Ops

04:48 Transitioning Out of Military

06:28 ATS and Hiring Reality Check

08:14 Building a Network and LinkedIn

11:19 Staying Professional Online

13:51 Sales and Technical Career Loop

14:56 Communication and Culture Lessons

21:06 Toxicity and SMB Team Fit

22:09 Standing Out in Job Hunting

26:17 Resilience and Victim Mindset

30:58 Books That Shaped Andrew

32:57 Wrap Up and Thanks

Navigating a Cybersecurity Career and Business Leadership with Dave Anderson

In this episode of the Cyber Security Recruiter Podcast, our host converses with Dave Anderson about his fascinating career journey in cybersecurity. They discuss Dave's consistent online presence, bolstered by a specialist assisting him with LinkedIn content, which is pivotal for staying visible in the cybersecurity field.

Dave shares insightful details about his traditional career progression, from tech support to high-level security roles at prominent companies like Greenhouse, and his eventual transition to founding TSC Security. Dave takes us through the unique steps of moving from being an employee to an employer, including an intriguing personal story of moving to a boat in New Jersey and eventually to Florida, while developing his consultancy business.

The conversation covers the challenges of scaling a business, hiring dynamic and flexible personnel, and the importance of certifications and continual learning in the cybersecurity field. Dave also emphasizes the value of referrals,and shares his thoughts on the impactful book 'The Phoenix Project' for understanding effective project management in a business context.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:30 Dave's Content Strategy and Consistency

01:56 Career Journey and Achievements

02:43 Starting TSC Security

04:30 Life on a Boat and Transition to Entrepreneurship

06:28 Growth and Challenges of Running a Business

09:56 Importance of Referrals and Networking

13:36 Lessons from Startup Experience

18:33 Building a Strong Network

19:04 Scaling Challenges and Company Growth

21:44 Hiring the Right People

25:14 The Impact of AI on Business

29:29 The Value of Certifications

32:25 Recommended Resources for Success

35:37 Final Thoughts and Reflection

Leading Managed Security Services: Growth, Hiring Advice, and Playing to Your Strengths with April Jenkins

Thomas chats with April Jenkins, Senior Director of Managed Services/Service Desk at Elite Ops, about her career path, and how she prioritizes both customer outcomes and team growth, balance, and psychological safety. April explains her organization’s expansion from 9 to 42 people through new hiring and team consolidation, and discusses current market conditions: high candidate volume, employer decisions about remote vs. office, and the importance of responsiveness, accurately matching job requirements, and adding short notes with resumes.

She shares career guidance on focusing on strengths, staying authentic, reading the room, building relationships through problem-solving, and sustaining momentum via small daily wins and protected thinking time. Recommendation: a strengths-focused book (described as “maximizing your strengths”) and the “do unto others” golden rule from a Dr Pepper Museum exhibit.

00:00 Welcome and Introductions

00:26 April’s Career Origins

02:45 Life Running 24/7 Support

05:03 Team Culture and Mindset

06:31 Scaling from 9 to 42

07:13 Hiring in a Tough Market

11:10 Standing Out as a Candidate

14:39 Internships and Career Switchers

15:12 Advice for Career Growth

17:19 Strengths and Relationship Building

20:15 Finding Your Niche in Security

21:29 Find Your Strengths

22:20 Define Your Core

24:12 Write It Down Daily

25:24 Protect Thinking Time

26:29 Start Small Habits

28:40 Momentum From Small Wins

29:51 Ignore Social Media Timelines

32:15 Relationships As Deposits

34:33 Authenticity And Feedback

37:36 Golden Rule Leadership

40:00 Wrap Up And Thanks