Likely Interview Questions – General & Motivation

These questions are designed to assess your motivation, understanding of the organisation, and interest in cybersecurity.

• Why did you apply for the CTU Training Solutions Cybersecurity Learnership?
• What do you know about CTU Training Solutions and the type of training it offers?
• Why are you interested in pursuing a career in cybersecurity?
• How does this learnership align with your career goals?
• What do you hope to gain from this learnership opportunity?

Role-Specific Interview Questions (Graduate / Learnership Level)

These questions assess your foundational IT knowledge, interest in cybersecurity, and readiness to learn in a technical environment.

• What do you understand about cybersecurity and why it is important for organisations?
• What types of cyber threats are organisations commonly exposed to?
• How does cybersecurity help protect systems, data, and users?
• What IT or security-related concepts were covered in your studies?
• Why is following procedures and best practices important in cybersecurity?
• How would you approach learning new technologies or systems during the learnership?

Behavioural Interview Questions (STAR-Based)

These questions assess problem-solving, responsibility, and learning ability using academic or personal experiences.

• Tell us about a time you had to learn a technical concept quickly.
• Describe a situation where attention to detail was important.
• Give an example of when you had to follow instructions or procedures carefully.
• Tell us about a time you worked on a technical or group project.

How to Answer Using the STAR Method

STAR Method Explained:

1. Situation – Describe the context
2. Task – Explain what was required of you
3. Action – Describe what you did
4. Result – Share the outcome and what you learned

Sample Learnership-Level STAR Answer:

1. Situation: During my studies, I completed a practical IT assignment that required configuring a basic system securely.
2. Task: I was responsible for applying security settings and documenting the process.
3. Action: I followed best practices, researched additional resources, and tested the configuration.
4. Result: The system functioned correctly, and I improved my understanding of basic cybersecurity principles.

If You Have No Work Experience

CTU Training Solutions understands that candidates may have limited workplace experience. You may use examples from:

• IT or cybersecurity coursework
• Practical labs or simulations
• Group projects or assignments
• Self-study, online labs, or certifications
• Personal technical projects

Focus on your willingness to learn, problem-solving ability, and interest in cybersecurity.

Common Interview Mistakes to Avoid

• Not understanding basic cybersecurity concepts
• Being unable to explain why you chose cybersecurity
• Ignoring the importance of security procedures and ethics
• Giving vague answers without examples
• Showing little enthusiasm for learning new technologies

Quick Interview Preparation Checklist

This checklist outlines what interviewers expect candidates to prepare before attending the interview.

• Research CTU Training Solutions and the learnership structure
• Review basic IT and cybersecurity concepts
• Prepare 2–3 STAR examples from studies or technical projects
• Be ready to explain your interest in cybersecurity clearly
• Dress professionally and arrive prepared
• Prepare one question about the learnership or certification

Below are qualification-specific technical interview questions written at entry / learnership level and suitable for candidates with a relevant IT qualification and limited work experience.

Information Technology (General IT)

• What are the main components of a computer system, and how do they work together?
• What is the difference between hardware and software?
• What do you understand about operating systems, and which ones have you used?
• Why is user access control important in IT environments?
• How would you troubleshoot a basic system or network issue?

Networking / Infrastructure (IT-Related Qualifications)

• What is a computer network, and why is networking important?
• Can you explain the difference between a LAN and a WAN?
• What is an IP address, and what is it used for?
• Why is network security important for organisations?
• What basic networking or infrastructure concepts did you cover during your studies?

Cybersecurity / Information Security

• What do you understand by cybersecurity, and why is it important?
• What are common types of cyber threats (e.g. malware, phishing, ransomware)?
• How does cybersecurity help protect data and systems?
• Why is user awareness important in preventing security incidents?
• What basic security principles (e.g. confidentiality, integrity, availability) are you familiar with?

Systems / Operating Systems (Linux-Relevant for SUSE)

• What is an operating system, and what functions does it perform?
• What exposure have you had to Linux or command-line environments?
• Why is Linux commonly used in server and security environments?
• What basic commands or tasks can be performed in a Linux system?
• How would you approach learning a new operating system like SUSE Linux?

Data & Access Management

• Why is data protection important in organisations?
• What do you understand about user authentication and authorisation?
• Why should users only have access to information they need?
• How can poor access control increase security risks?
• What data-related concepts did you study that apply to cybersecurity?

Ethics & Best Practices in IT Security

• Why are ethics important in IT and cybersecurity roles?
• How should sensitive information be handled in an organisation?
• What responsibilities do IT professionals have when accessing systems or data?
• Why is following security policies and procedures critical?
• How would you respond if you noticed a potential security risk or issue?