Preparing for Penetration Tester Job Interviews: Common Questions and Answers

Job Interviews are not a comfortable situation for anyone. As an aspiring penetration tester, it is important that you take the time to prepare for any job interviews you may face. By doing so, you can give yourself the best chance of standing out from the crowd and securing the job. In this blogpost, we will provide some common questions and answers that you should consider preparing for a penetration tester job interview.

What Qualifications Do You Have for This Role?

As part of the job application process, it is likely that you have already provided a list of qualifications, however, the interviewer will want to hear them again directly from you. Ensure that you are prepared to answer questions regarding these qualifications, as well as any other relevant education and experience.

What Makes You a Good Candidate for the Penetration Testing Role?

This is an opportunity to demonstrate why you are a great fit for the role. Talk about your skills and how they can be used to benefit the company. You should also mention any relevant knowledge or expertise you have gained, as well as any recent achievements or awards.

What Are Your Strengths and Weaknesses With Regard to Penetration Testing?

You should be honest about your strengths and weaknesses, but try to focus on the positives. For example, list the skills which make you a strong candidate for the position and address any weaknesses by discussing how you are actively trying to improve them.

How Would You Approach a Penetration Test?

This question will provide the interviewer with an insight into your technical abilities. Explain the approach you would use when carrying out a penetration test, highlighting any steps which you think are particularly important.

Can You Talk About Any Difficult Experiences You Have Had When Carrying Out Penetration Testing?

This question is designed to test your problem solving capabilities. Discuss any difficult experiences you have had when carrying out penetration testing tasks, such as security vulnerabilities which have been particularly challenging to discover and remediate.

What Tools Do You Use for Penetration Testing?

Be sure to mention the tools and software you use when performing penetration tests. Demonstrating that you are familiar with popular tools can make you stand out from the other candidates. Include any open source and commercial products that you are proficient with.

How Do You Stay Up to Date on Security Trends?

Demonstrate that you stay up to date on security trends by talking about websites, blogs and publications you read. It is also useful to mention any conferences or seminars you have attended. Offering to demonstrate any security research you have conducted or tools you have developed can really impress the interviewer.

Do You Have Experience With Exploitation Techniques?

This question is designed to determine whether you have experience with any exploitation techniques. Talk about any previous experience with vulnerability exploitation, as well as any tools or frameworks you are familiar with.

Do You Have Any Questions?

The interviewer will ask if you have any questions at the end of the interview. Prepare a few questions in advance and avoid saying something along the lines of, “No, I don't think so”. Instead, show your enthusiasm for the role by asking questions about the company, as well as anything else that interests you.

By preparing for the most common questions you may be asked during a penetration testing job interview, you can increase your chances of standing out from the other candidates and securing the position. Remember to remain confident throughout the interview and demonstrate your enthusiasm for the role. Good luck!