Interview questions and answers DT

press releases

2019 UK tech awards - IT security provider of the year. /// poppy gus staf son named tech business woman of the year. 2019 also named artificial intelligence business of the year at Lloyds Bank National business awards.

How do you handle pressure?

A class has merged, there is barely enough space, you can't get to the whitboards . the computer is broken. The class is misxed level. You cant dot the activity you were going to do. You are not familiar with this classroom or some of the students. Smile take a deep breath, try your best and under the circumstances that's all you can do. Often it goes better than you think. Take one task at a time. Don't start panicking about the bigger picture.... Although its key to have targets and deadlines in mind Don't play the what if game. What if I miss a target, a deadline, what is someone doesn't like me.. its wasted energy and counter productive. Kep focused on goals and how to achieve and not on hypothetical negative outcomes. Never get angry or emotional. I TAKE A DEEP breath and concentrate on the task in hand knowing that things rarely beome your worst fears. Don't write the following but its true.......as long as you can explain your actions then life goes on.

Why am I interested in them?

AI is fascinating. AI is shaping the landscape of society. It will go on to have a pervasive influence on all aspects of society. being used for from anything from driverless cars, Finding cures to diseases, helping us make decisions on a personal level. perhaps even setting policy. I SUSPECT they would make fewer errors than humans. people vote with emotions and there's nothing to say AI can't develop and have a clear understaniding of ethics.. I would argue that AI can be creative the humans it took Alpha zero 4 hours to learn chess before beating the world champion. it did it with moves that have never seen before. So AI might create works out art ...it may even be able to create music for moods based on your biochemistry. It is seriously cool.

questions to ask or they might ask you

Ask questions to company? I would work hard to achieve my goals and to excel ?? at the company? What challenges does the highways agency face in the future?? What career progression would be available, especially in terms of qualifications. And what support would I be given? I read about the XYZ project online, can you tell me a bit more about it and would it be something that as project manager junior I would be involved in? What kind of people excel here? How would you describe the culture here? Ask Kerry for this What questions haven't asked you? What unique skills do you have? How did you find out about this position? What would your 30/60/90 plan be like??? Don't ask this Where do you see yourself in 2- 5 years time.

marketing material

Attend EFL fairs. Have a stall. Prepare material. Highlighting what we offer and what sets us apart from other schools. DELTA QUALIFTIED TEACHERS, small family company which means we can offer a full supportive system for students. We have unique tailored programmes including fun activites. We can create bespoke courses for the customers needs. Attas Poland. For our business model it works out cheaper that we have agents permanently on the ground in coutries/markets. We do have a small team marketing team who I work with.

What have you learnt from being a teacher?

Be inclusive, ensure that you hear and really listen to different opinion and points of view - as this is something that I've learnt from being a teacher.

product 2

Darktrace Antigena (2016) launched the first ever autonomous response technology. Using award winning AI and advances in mathematics, it responds to cyber attacks in seconds - when security teams are overwhelmed or simply aren't around. It slows down or stops the compromised connection or device in order to neutraliize threats without impacting normal business operations.

Discuss your resume.

Don't say word for word but discuss your highlights. Be ready to talk about what each task involves. Start building acase for why you should be hired. Explain where you worked and why you worked there. What you learned and how this has shaped you to be the best candidate

Embarrassing story

Embarrassing story about yourself. I've got lots of embarrassing sporting failures......perhaps I'm not actually that good at sport. Anyway, I'm going to tell a story that happened just last month in the supermarket. I had just bought some protein shake and popped it in the basket. I was standing there looking at a pack of toilet paper in hand thinking is this toilet paper the kind that I want when some. I wsa then approached by a woman of similar age who said is that good? Now, I thought she was pointing to the toilet paper, so slightly bemused I said I don't know I've never tried it, it says its soft. I suddenly damed on me that she was asking about the protein shake. the stinky tofu....walking miles out the way..... the gonguan story. (what lanaguge) Cantonese ?

Where is /where might the product be used

Financial institutions - sophisticated criminals are of grave concern to financial institutions and with good reason with trillions of dollars/pounds moving across complex infrastructures around the world. Huge growth in asia - Taiwan Taxi Co. Ltd, Otsuka pharmacutical, Samsung, Network 18 to name a few. and to support the demand in for darktrace technology in Asia you have opened offices in singapore, osaka, sydney, melbourne and perth. A very recent customer is maclaren racing. In February a multi year partnership with maclaren was announced. Maclren uses sensor data in real time, it's their lifeblood for success on the track so cyber resilliance is extremely important. I also read that darktrace cyber security is used to protect a valuable bread recipe used by haiwain foods company kings haiwain, which is great.

start the interview - when i get asked first question

Firstly, thank you very much for taking the time to talk with me today. the proceed to answer the questoin. eg.e My name is Richard I'm a teacher.....

What do you bring to the company? - problem solver

Problem solver. I am adept at problem solving. Mixed level in classes, teachers calling in sick last minute, changes in schedule buses, activities, catering, teacher complaints. Customer complaints. Something that you have suggested? Bunk beds in are accommodation blocks, separate tour for the Japanese staff

product 1

The enterprise immune system - a self learning cyber that detects subtle signals of an advanced attack at an early stage. Modelled on the human immune system in the way it uses artificial intelligence to detect viruses and cyber threats inside a computer network. Withough relying on rules, prior assumptions. (Threats could be cloud based ... or even state sponsored espionage).

product 3

The industrial immune system (2017) company announced new product dedicated to fighting threats in industrial and SCADA networks (data acquisition). Developed to detect cyber threats in IT environments by learning what is normal.

How are darktrace products better/ into to the products

Traditional cyber defence is outdated and ineffective. This is because the shift in the nature of cyber attacks. A rise in insider threats which account for 74% of cyber security incidents. whether this is from well intended employees clicking on a phishing email (malware infects the network). or attacks with malicious intent, employees who can navigate familiar networks undetected to manipulate the system and extract sensitive information. This is where Darktrace fills the need for a next generation cyber defence. 3 products The enterprise immune system darktrace antigena the industrial immune system Would you like me to go on and talk a little more about these products?

Goals for the future

Transfer my skills sets to build a new career. I would like to work at Darktrace and become an integral part of time at the same time developing my skills and training in order to excel in BD and the organization. Money is important and BD rewards hard work.

What do you know about the company.

Until recently I didn't know much...But I've done some research. I've looked online and I've spoken to people who have bought and used your products and I've heard amazing things. Darktrace is recognised today as the worlds leading AI company for cyber security. Founded in 2013 by mathmaticians from the university of Cambridge and government cyber intelligence experts in the US and the UK. Since being founded the company has seen unbelievable growth. Valued at $80 million in 2015 it's value was reported to have soared to $1.65 billion in 2018. You have over 1000 employess, 44 offices and headquaters in San Francisco and cambridge. I'm hoping to visit San Fran one day when I'm working for the company (laugh). Co CEO's Nicola Eagan and poppy gus stef son (gustefson)

Questions

What does the role entail? Is it the entry role? What's involved in the training? how would an ideal candidate meet I could meet those needs? What would be expected of me in the first. month? 3-6 months? What market for? Private/public/finance? Can you tell me about the culture of the company? Another question? According to my research the number of cyber security start ups has mushroomed after some high profile breaches... (britsh airways / car phone warehouse) and then there are established competitors like Vectra and extrahop. How do you set yourselves apart from your competitors and make sure that you stay the world's leading AI company for cyber security. Toby said flat out that you have no competitors. So what are some challenges facing the company? What are you most passionate about in your job? What do you most enjoy about working here? What does success look like here? What are your expectations of this role? Could you tell me a little about the culture and management style at the company? After the interview today, what are the next steps?

How do you deal with an angry or irate customer?

You need to show that you are understanding and not dismissive of their problem (although, do not promise what you cant deliver), do not get emotional and explain your position clearly and calmy. Try and offer a solution. If you can not handle the problem yourself then pass it on to a manager who is in a position to do so.

What are some of your leadership qualities? - shows you can get along with others. Open approachable deamer I make it clear from my actions getting stuck that Im one of the team. I say frm the beginning that if they have any questions at all speak to me now or later in private.

You should say - what goal you set. How you applied those l earnings elsewhere. Get along with others. Achieve good results. Talk about the Japanese course. It's an intense course so teachers need help and support and encouragement. I always explan that being flexible is what is required from the outset. Communication is key, communicating what the chnges are and why there are changes. I anticpate problems. I pair weak with strong students. I have prepared useful lanage for presentations, lesson plans. Every possible contingent to make sure that the customer is happy. I emind staf via email and meetings about arising deadlines.

What do you bring to the company? written communication skills

excellent written communication skills - creating and posting job advertisements, student reports, risk assessments, meeting agendas, emails to clients, create promotional material and write curricula.

What do you bring to the company - My biggest strength is...

my verbal communication skills, I love to talk to people. As a teacher who teaches students from a variety of ages and backgrounds, from French doctors to Saudia Arabian policemen, I am able to read people and build rapport very quickly. being genuine and asking questions about themselves is important but first of all I'm a good listener. It's important hear people and to understand their needs. This is a skill that I could transfer to BD. It is important to identify what the customer needs. Worried about getting hacked? Worried about reputation? Do they need an autonomous system? Then I can look at how our products meets their needs and say I can support you with and this and this.

What's your biggest failure.

I can't think of a big failure. Sure there are exams that I ish I had done better on.. I'm by no means the finished article. But I learn frm my mistakes. There was a mistake with a booking on one course where somewhere between Japaense tourist board and Mervyn and Myself the day of pack lunches made up by the kitchen at Fitz was incorrect. I should have double checked?? This was the first year and I had done it and that particular request had been taken by owner. I should have picked up on it, but perhaps being the owner and having overseen courses like mine for years I assumed everything was fine. Now I go through my schedule with them at the beginning of the course to make sure it matches their schedule and that everyone is on the same page. Don't always rely on second hand information check and double check. Tell me about a time I made a mistake. Pack lunch Not getting a name. Not giving the Japanese staff a tour at the beginning. I relaised that after a couple of days I still had the key to a computer room that they had requested to have full use of. They also didn't know where to smoke etc. We did give them a tour at the beinging along with the students but perhaps it wasn't detailed enough. I have now arranged for a member of Fitzwilliam college to give them a tour.

Who is your mentor ?

I have been fortunate to work very closely with the owner of the company and he is very candid and open about the workings of the company. His openness has created and an open door policy throughout the company. Great management doesn't come from screaming and shouting, he gets stuck in and moves boxes and ask for other's opinions. Seeing him now in his mid 70's still with a zest for work and seeing how much he enjoys it is inspirational.

Travel?

I have no commitments that would stop me from travelling. I have travelled extensively and feel very comfortable

What do you bring to the company - organisation skills

I have strong orgnanisation skills, for example, on our companies off-site courses I am responsible for the planning of class and activity schedules, curricula, account management, financial budgeting, and procurement of project items to deliver the programmes.

Why do you want to leave teaching

I love teaching, I have done it for 12 years. it's time for a change. BD is something I know I will be good at. A career with more financial rewards lets be honest its always going to be a factor.

Tell me about korea

I moved out to Asia in 2005 to work as AN Englsh teacher . Not only do you learn about the local culture you also meet people form all over the world. Beng part of an exat community and playing in expat football teams and touch rugby teams. You meet business people working in all kind of industries/sectors and some of these people go on to become lifelong friends. Developing those communication/networking skills a comfortable traveller.

Delivering software to company

I started with an Initial Statement of Requirement:I wanted a product that: *Provide support - register and how to navigate the platforms for students /teachers. (essential)*Online tasks linked to the material in the book to ensure homework is cohesive. (essential)*Visualisation of data, graphs etc. (essential)*Individual student scores, easy to access - (essential)*Dashboard or at a glance board (highlighting areas that students/class need more work on) - to reduce *teacher prep time. (essential)*Cloud Based or local server based (optional)*Low minimum internet speed for access as many students will participate on their phones (optional) *Mobile Phone app option - (optional)*IELTS course books with cohesive online homework (essential) *Compatible with rolling classes/changing student class size (essential) then looked at the products on the market from publishers like pearson and macmillian. And found a product my English lab that matched our needs and was competively priced. We now use a product that isn't meant to replace teachers but it aids them. Students can practice online. Teachers can check performance, and see at a glance the needs of the class. This needs analysis tool allows the teacher to deliver lessons targeting the learners' weaknesses.

Discuss your educational background I studied engineering. I thoroughly enjoy it I believe this is reflected in my 2:1 I also enjoyed the business side to it. I wanted to see some of the world. I was in a long term relationship with a Korean Canadian. I stayed out there for a long time because of that. When that relationship ended I wrapped things up and came back home. I am now looking to gain more qualifications

I studied engineering. I thoroughly enjoy it I believe this is reflected in my 2:1 I also enjoyed the business side to it. I wanted to see some of the world. I was in a long term relationship with a Korean Canadian. I stayed out there for a long time because of that. When that relationship ended I wrapped things up and came back home. I am now looking to gain more qualifications

Why Darktrace

I want to work for darktrace because they are the world leader in AI security/ A company with remarkable growth. You are shaping the future of artificial intelligence and I want to be part of it. I would be an asset. I could grow and develop and have a bright career with darktrace.

What would you look to accomplish in the first 30/60/90 days

I would like to hit the ground running and get up to speed quickly so that I can contribute and be a valuable team member. In the first 30 days. I would spend time getting to know the company, meeting, people, learning about various departments, and my role. and I do believe there is formal training.

End

I would like to thank you for your time today. It's been great talking with you and I hope to talk with you again. I would like to say just how much I want to work at Darktrace. I've got friends in BD when we talk about it it fascinates me. I know I would be good at it and if given the opportunity I would be an asset to your company.

What makes you passionate about work?

I'm a passionate communicator, I really enjoy engaging with people. And these are skills that I have honed during my years as a teacher,teacher trainer, recruiter, course director.

What do I know about BD?

I'm assuming im being considered for the Entry Level Account Executive, you will: Prospect accounts for new business ; Leads from exhibitions, networking events, follow email or phone. Send them information. Come in and present. • Establish and work with partners in your territory. • Present and demonstrate Darktrace cyber threat defense solutions to CISOs and information security experts. • Work closely with Darktrace Subject Matter Experts, Technical Account Managers and Cyber Threat Analysts who will support you in performing Proofs of Value (POVs) as you close deals. Entry level account executives will also be given a training program to bring them up to speed with Darktrace's sales process and the latest trends and developments in the cyber security industry. I also know it is something I would be very good at. I can transfer and build on my existing skills....strong communication.....building rapport quickly....superb presentation skills,. Know your material being knowledgeable and conveying information in an engainging professional and confident manner and enjoy what youre doing. I'm used to explaining complex things like grammar. And part of presenting new material is being able to grade my language depending who Im talking to ....making sure the audience is engaged. If something isn't work and your losing your class or customers. Don't be afraid to change it. New teachers will plough on determined to get through the lesson objectives at all costs. But it's important to be able to think on your feet fun. I've spent weeks months years on my feet in front of learners its second nature. If you don't know something don't panic, ive learned is there is never any reason to panic. If you don't know something don't lie. Know your material to the best of your knowledge and if you don't know it find out and get back to them.

Tell me how you handled a difficult situation?

I've had teachers who have been very stressed, not listening to instructions and not writing reports accurately etc. I have sat down with them and gone through lesson plans // if I haven't had time I have arranged for someone else to do it. I have found time to pull people aside and have a friendly chat with them, ensuring that they were doing a good job and highlighting the thigns they have done well and offering them help on areas they are struggling with. to come in and sit down with them and go through some lesson planning/ pairing them with a strong teacher. . Irate: I've worked in supermarkets and often people become very irate about small things. You don't know what is happening with people, if it's a serious complaint or not handle it respectfully. Be practical logical and don't get emotional.

Tell me about a time you disagreed with your boss.

If you think your boss is making a major mistake it is better to speak up straight away. Don't undermine them in an interview. But perhaps explain things from your perspective. A teacher who doesn't handle pressure was going to be put on the Japanese course which can be stressful. British council who are external assessors like to see returnees. I said that we had an exceptionally high level of returnees on the course and that the teacher might be better in an environment where there isn't so much to take on board. After some discussion she was given a new

What can you offer us that no one else can

Look at CV pull up my experiences and my proven ability to build rapport with people of all cultures and different personalities. Ive got a proven track record in organization and communication skills that are essential for project management. I have a charisma, I have classes full of adults giving me their full of attention and I have them laughing a lot. I can do tasks to a high level of accuracy. I work very well under deadlines as any teacher will know there are deadlines everyday. I come from an engineering/technology academic background and I find engineering projects fascinating. I would come with some much passion and enthusiasm for the role.

Who I am. Tell me about yourself

My name is Richard. Teaching/course director recruiter. for quite a few years now. I've taught in Taiwan and South Korea and I currently teach in Cambridge. I'm an avid traveller. I especially enjoy getting out into the wilderness. My holdidays reflect this from hiking in Myanmar and crossing the country on an old colonial built railway. Cycling from the top to bottom of south korea not knowing where you are going to eat or sleep is great fun but invariably things always work out. Last year I was hiking in the Siemien mountains in Ethiopia. This year I visited my girlfriend family in Sardinia ...althouth not adventurous in the traditional sense ....it certainly was adventuroious food wise. Real nose to tail eating. Slightly amusing story. I was recommended a dish by the locals, I didnt know what it was so I ordered it and ate it. only to find out later that it was pigs testicles. Her family found it hilarious and it earned me some respect and they actually tasted ok.

Strength day in day out bread and butter

My other forte - presenting

What gets you up in the morning.

New challenges, variety, challenges, problem solving(the Japanese are paying cash and each student needs the exact change. A museum is fully booked and changes our schedule. A fete has changed date and need to find a new fete. Wet weather options....having contingency plans is key. ///a teacher drops up and you have to merge classes. , negotiating (immensely satisfies when you negotiate and find a common ground that keeps everyone happy.)