Working as a Penetration Tester, you will assess the security of computer systems and networks by attempting to exploit vulnerabilities.
Choosing your career path and learning how to become the person you aspire to be is not always straight forward; getting a job in your chosen industry will take dedication, focus and the right qualifications.
When you have chosen the career path you wish to follow, you will need to learn how to become a Penetration Tester
Should you wish to work as a Penetration Tester you will need to evaluate what courses are required, their cost and what qualifications you need. It is important that you also assess whether you have the right credentials from a personality point of view, what the demands of the job are and whether they complement the lifestyle that you desire.
Another factor to consider, should you wish to fulfil your career aspirations, is the number of jobs you will need to have to reach your ultimate job, and the length of time it will take to reach this goal.
As a Penetration Tester, you could work for various organisations such as cybersecurity firms, IT consultancies, financial institutions, or government agencies.
Our advice on how to get a Penetration Tester job is to focus on preparation and personalisation.
This occurs before you write a CV cover letter or complete a Penetration Tester application. If you have not held a Penetration Tester position before, it will help to research the industry and review what a typical career path might look like. If you have held a Penetration Tester role, focus your research on the company where you are seeking employment.
Valuable resources that will help you learn about the employer include the company’s career page, social media page, blog, job ad, and job description. Helpful information will consist of the company’s mission statement, values, and vision. You could also use an employer review site to gain insights on average salaries, what current employees say about the company culture, and what it is like to work for the organisation.
You are now in a position to use what you have learned in your Penetration Tester CV, cover letter, and application. You should personalise each Penetration Tester application, cover letter, and CV; prioritising job skills and relevant experience and providing examples that show you have similar values and goals.
This pre-application stage is a crucial step in how to become a Penetration Tester in the UK. It puts you in a superbly informed state, ready for forthcoming telephone, video, or in-person interviews.
As with all professions, choose your study topics carefully. Review the qualifications needed to be a Penetration Tester and the subjects you will need to enrol in certification courses, higher education, or online courses.
The more closely you align your study subjects with your career path, the more likely you will be to have projects and modules that you can refer to and show a prospective employer that you have practical or theoretical Penetration Tester experience.
What does it take to be a Penetration Tester? The best way to find out is to get work experience, which will be invaluable when applying for Penetration Tester jobs. You can learn how to be a successful Penetration Tester through internships, apprenticeships, or volunteering for a local business.
If you are wondering how to get into Penetration Tester part-time, there are several possibilities. You might find a new employer looking for a part-time Penetration Tester or find your existing employer is amenable. Often companies recognise the value of flexible hours and having more staff at work during busy times of the day.
If you have impressive Penetration Tester qualifications and experience, you could take on the challenges of working freelance with control over your schedule.
How to start a career in this profession if you work in another industry may require studying for qualifications online and focusing on transferable skills when writing your CV and attending job interviews.
