The Cyber Security Recruiter talks to April Jenkins, Senior Director, Managed Services and Service Desk, EliteOps

Leading Managed Security Services: Growth, Hiring Advice, and Playing to Your Strengths with April JenkinsThomas 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 Introductions00:26 April’s Career Origins02:45 Life Running 24/7 Support05:03 Team Culture and Mindset06:31 Scaling from 9 to 4207:13 Hiring in a Tough Market11:10 Standing Out as a Candidate14:39 Internships and Career Switchers15:12 Advice for Career Growth17:19 Strengths and Relationship Building20:15 Finding Your Niche in Security21:29 Find Your Strengths22:20 Define Your Core24:12 Write It Down Daily25:24 Protect Thinking Time26:29 Start Small Habits28:40 Momentum From Small Wins29:51 Ignore Social Media Timelines32:15 Relationships As Deposits34:33 Authenticity And Feedback37:36 Golden Rule Leadership40:00 Wrap Up And Thanks