Free template

Security job ad signal checklist

An open security role is a company describing its own gap in writing. This checklist turns one job ad into a score out of 10 and a first line for your outreach, in about two minutes per ad.

Use it when you’re deciding which companies with open security roles are worth a personal message this week.

How to use it

  1. Score each line 1 if it’s true for the ad, 0 if not.
  2. 7 or more: write to the hiring manager’s manager this week. 4 to 6: add to a lighter sequence. 3 or under: skip.
  3. Copy the line that scored highest into your first sentence. That’s your signal.

Get it by email

I’ll send you the Security job ad signal checklist as plain text, ready to paste and edit, plus links to the other free templates.

One email with the template. You may get the odd note from me after that; reply “stop” any time. Privacy

The template

Checklist (score 1 point each)
[ ] The role has been open more than 30 days (or was reposted).
[ ] The title mixes jobs, e.g. "IT administrator with security responsibilities".
[ ] The ad names a framework with a deadline: NIS2, DORA, ISO 27001, SOC 2, Cyber Essentials.
[ ] It asks for 24/7, on-call or out-of-hours cover.
[ ] It names a SIEM, EDR or firewall product you support.
[ ] It's the company's first security hire (no other security staff on LinkedIn).
[ ] The company has 50 to 500 staff.
[ ] Headcount grew more than 10% in the last year.
[ ] The ad mentions a recent incident, audit finding or customer requirement.
[ ] You can name the person the role reports to.

Score: __ / 10
Strongest line (use as your opener): ______________________
Who to contact: the person the role reports to, not the recruiter.

Why it’s written this way

  • Days open matters more than the title. A role open for six weeks means the gap is being covered by someone who doesn’t have time for it. That person is your ally.
  • Write to the manager, not the recruiter. The recruiter’s job is to fill the role. The manager’s problem is the gap until it’s filled, which is exactly what an interim managed service solves.
  • Pitch the interim, not the replacement. Nobody wants to hear their hire is unnecessary. Covering the gap while they hire is an easy yes, and it often becomes the permanent answer.

Read more

More free templates are on the templates page.

Questions about this template.

Is a security job posting a buying signal for an MSSP?

Yes, one of the strongest public ones. It confirms budget for security, names the gap and tells you who owns it. The longer it stays open, the stronger the signal.

Who should I contact about an open security role?

The person the role reports to, usually the CIO, IT director or CFO at smaller companies. They feel the gap every day the role is empty.

Turn this into pipeline.

Reading about demand doesn’t book meetings. A 30-minute call gets you an honest read on whether 10 qualified meetings is realistic in your market, and a written scope if it is.

Book a no-pressure call

Short of 10 qualified meetings in the 60-day campaign? You get your money back. You only pay for meetings that happen, and you decide what counts.