← Tanium
Tanium role-play cheat sheet
For the mock cold call at the end of most SDR interviews.
What they sell, in one line
Software that lets big companies see, patch, and fix every laptop and server in real time, with AI automation.
Who you'd be calling
CIOs, CISOs, IT operations and security directors at large enterprises with tens of thousands of devices
Your opener
“Hi [Name], this is [Your Name] from Tanium. I know I'm calling out of the blue. Do you have 30 seconds to tell me if I should hang up or if this is worth it? We help IT and security teams see every device and fix problems fast. Is that something your team deals with?”
Problems you solve for them
- IT can't see all their devices, so unknown or unpatched machines create risk
- Patching and fixing issues takes days or weeks across a big fleet
- Too many separate tools for IT and security, and teams work from different data
Discovery questions to ask
- How do you know today how many devices are on your network and whether they're patched?
- When a new vulnerability hits the news, how long does it take your team to find out which machines are affected?
- How many different tools does your team use to manage and secure endpoints?
Objections they'll throw at you
“I'm busy right now.”
→ Totally understand, I'll be quick. Is there a better time this week for a 10-minute call, maybe Tuesday or Thursday?
“We're not interested.”
→ Fair enough, I'm not sure it's a fit yet either. Can I ask how your team handles patching and device visibility today, so I know if I'm wasting your time?
“We already use something for that.”
→ Good, most teams do. Many we talk to still have blind spots or slow fixes, so how quickly can you see and patch every device when something urgent comes up?
“Just send me an email.”
→ Happy to. So I send something useful, what's the biggest endpoint headache for your team right now?
Competitors worth knowing
Microsoft Intune, CrowdStrike, Ivanti, BigFix
Interview tips for this company
- Learn what 'endpoint' means: any laptop, server, or device connected to the company network. Say it simply on the call.
- Be ready to explain why speed and visibility matter, and mention that the buyer is both IT and security, so ask who owns the problem.
Written from public information about Tanium to help you practice. Ask an insider what their role play looked like; it's the best prep there is.