The Security Job Search: Something's Gotta Give

Part two of a CSO's journey into the long-and sometimes unpleasant-experience of changing jobs

By Anonymous

February 01, 2004 — CSO — When last we met (in the January column), I was regaling you with the tale of my ever-so-intriguing job interview for a CSO position. Having been grilled by a particularly spirited "selection committee," I had headed home to do some serious soul-searching. Between you and me, I wasn't even sure I wanted this job.

But as months passed without a word from the committee, I realized that the choice wasn't totally mine to make. I hadn't seen eye-to-eye with the VP in HR—I was critical of his reluctance to do background checks and hinted that the company's encounter with workplace violence may have been related to thatand I was now convinced he had persuaded others that I was a loose cannon.

So you can imagine my surprise when, out of the blue, I got the call from the EVP of the company. "If you still want it, the job is yours," he said.

You know the feeling: When you don't have something, you want it badly, but then when you get it, you're suddenly not so sure. I decided I needed to slow down and take an inventory of what I was really getting myself into. "Uh, can I come back out there to talk with you and make sure we're on the same page?" I said, stalling for time.

"Good idea," he returned.

And it was a good idea. I had anticipated fireworks with several members of the selection committee, and as it turns out, the fireworks had already begun. The CSO positionor more specifically, putting me in the CSO positionhad apparently been the focus of some intense conversations among committee members. The EVP wanted me to feel confident, however, that I was his clear choice. He assured me that the CEO had backed the decision. With that kind of clout behind me, he said, I'd have no trouble bringing about the changes that were long overdue.

"What's my biggest challenge?" I asked as we sat face-to-face at corporate headquarters.

"There are a helluva lot of self-serving prima donnas around here," the EVP told me candidly. "The senior manager in HR is very powerful..."

Righto, I thought. The HR guy had it out for me right from the start.

"...and he uses his influence on a number of others, including the legal counsel and chief auditor," he continued. "But the CEO and I agree. We think you're the right person for this job, and we're prepared to offer you a very handsome package in order to convince you to join us."

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