Geographic Solutions Interview Questions
& Process

I was interviewed by the GSI Cybersecurity team and wanted to thank them for the opportunity. I prepared a lot for this role supporting state and government programs. However, the interview didn't meet my expectations. It felt rushed, and I didn't get to fully introduce myself or show my experience. The panel seemed disengaged, and it felt like a formality. John was professional and engaging. Alyssa seemed capable and driven. Alex asked about TLS, but I didn't have time for a full answer. I asked technical questions about CrowdStrike, Cisco FTD, and Palo Alto, and basic questions about Zero Trust and IAM/PAM. Surprisingly, no one on the panel, not even the CISO, could answer these basic questions. The CISO also got defensive when I asked about ping, calling my questions like penetration testing. I have CEH v13 training and will start CISSP soon. I wanted to have a constructive discussion. In my 10+ years in cybersecurity, I've worked with many leaders, and the best ones fostered collaboration and mentorship. That wasn't the vibe here. I hope GSI builds a culture of transparency, innovation, and collaboration. My advice is to structure interviews better, encourage participation, foster curiosity, and promote transparency. I'm a combat veteran with 10 years of service in the Army, transitioning to cybersecurity. I worked full-time while getting my degrees and raising my family. I have a BS in Cyber Forensics & IT Security and AS degrees in IT and Network Systems Administration. I'm working on CASP+, Security+, CEH v13, and CISSP certifications. I've supported many clients and worked with C-level leaders. Cybersecurity is about leadership, communication, and trust. I hope GSI takes this feedback constructively. Mr. Andre Irvens, the Senior Corporate Recruiter, was very professional and courteous.

This was my third interview overall and the first in-person one. The first two were phone calls. HR emailed me after they got my resume. They set up the first phone interview, and at the end, they told me I'd have a second one with a Team Lead. That happened the next day and was about 45 minutes. It went well, and they said I'd come in for a face-to-face interview two days later. The on-site involved four managers/team leads. It was a really natural and comfortable conversation. We mostly talked about my 13 years as an independent consultant and the projects I've done. They also discussed three possible career paths they were considering for me. I felt it went really well. I researched GeoSol beforehand and asked about some negative Glassdoor reviews, and I was really pleased with their answers. They were open about changes they've made to address concerns, many of which were from a couple of years ago. I wanted them to know I was serious about finding the right fit, just like they were. I even suggested they should address the negative comments directly. I really hope I get an offer; I think it would be a game-changer and a real career opportunity for someone with my experience. Emily, Matt, Matt M., Tony, and Patrick – I hope you read this and see how much I want to join your company. I'm not sure what the next step is, whether it's another interview or an offer, or a rejection. Since 'Not Yet' wasn't an option, I had to say no to the offer question. They discussed three potential career tracks, but the one I truly want, the one that would best utilize my skills and challenge me, is what I'm hoping for. I'd be grateful for the others, but I'm really focused on that one specific role. It's more than just a job; it's a senior-level career position. I really want this and hope to get an offer soon.

I talked to a recruiter first, just a regular call about my experience and what I'm looking for. Then I had a video call with the hiring manager and some other people. It was about half technical stuff and half STAR questions. I'm pretty sure I nailed the technical part. The recruiter called back saying I passed the tech and they wanted to move to the next step, which was an interview with the director on Monday. I cleared my schedule and prepped all weekend. But right before the meeting on Monday, I got an automated cancellation notice with no reason given. I emailed HR to see if there was an issue or if we needed to reschedule. No reply. I waited, still no word. I finally called the recruiter again, and they said they didn't know what was going on but would look into it. The next day, still no info. I had to call the recruiter one more time, and they just said something like 'they must have decided to go another direction'. It was really weird and unprofessional, especially since the HR person didn't even know what was happening.

The first call with the recruiter was great, they were really nice and gave a lot of information. However, the second interview felt unprofessional. The recruiter's attitude changed before the interview, and three people were present. One of them didn't speak at all. They asked unusual questions for a SOC role and couldn't answer my questions. They said they'd follow up, but I never heard back, even after I emailed them about progressing to the next stage. It was a bad experience, and ghosting candidates is not professional.