How to write a penetration tester job description

Penetration testers help your business's cybersecurity defense by simulating cyberattacks to identify vulnerabilities before they can be exploited. 

When hiring a penetration tester, you must articulate the exact cybersecurity skills you need, such as proficiency in the testing tools and methodologies unique to the field. With this knowledge, you can prepare a well-crafted job description that attracts candidates with the know-how to protect your company. 

In this article, we’ll show you how to write an effective penetration tester job description, the mistakes to avoid, and the best way to evaluate your candidates.

What is penetration testing?

Penetration testing, often called “pen testing” or ethical hacking, is a simulated cyber attack against your computer system to check for exploitable vulnerabilities. In the context of web application security, penetration testers probe for weaknesses such as poor code that’s susceptible to exploitation by hackers. 

This critical security measure helps you identify and fortify potential security breaches before they can be exploited by malicious attackers, protecting your sensitive data and keeping your operations running.

As Cybersecurity Tech Lead at AppSec Gustavo Celani explains, “Unlike vulnerability scanning, penetration testing often involves manual testing and attempts to go beyond the known vulnerabilities to discover potential weaknesses that automated tools might miss.”

Key skills to look for in penetration testers

Below are some critical skills to look for in penetration tester candidates.

Hard skills

• Proficiency in penetration testing frameworks, such as Metasploit and Burp Suite, to conduct thorough assessments.

• Knowledge of scripting and programming languages (e.g., Python, Ruby, Bash) for custom tool development and automation.

• Familiarity with various operating systems and network structures, including Windows, Linux, and cloud-based environments.

• Understanding of regulatory compliance and security standards (e.g., PCI-DSS, HIPAA) to ensure tests adhere to legal requirements.

• Experience with vulnerability assessment tools and techniques to identify and exploit security flaws.

Soft skills

• Analytical thinking to dissect complex systems and anticipate hacker methodologies.

• Strong communication skills for explaining technical vulnerabilities and implications to non-technical team members.

• Detail-oriented approach to meticulously document findings and processes.

• Creativity and resourcefulness in approach to problem-solving and overcoming security measures.

• Patience and persistence in conducting repetitive testing and staying current with the latest security trends.

How to write an effective penetration tester job description

Follow these best practices to write a penetration tester job description that will draw in highly skilled candidates.

Specify technical tools and environments

Clearly list the tools, programming languages, and environments your penetration tester will work with. Specify if familiarity with open-source tools such as OWASP ZAP or commercial tools such as Core Impact is necessary. 

For instance, you might write, "Candidates must demonstrate proficiency in Kali Linux and the associated penetration testing toolkit." This conveys the technical baseline candidates must meet and allows them to self-assess their suitability for the role.

Detail the scope of responsibilities

Penetration testing can vary widely in scope. Be explicit about whether the role focuses on network, application, or system penetration testing. Include expectations such as "Responsible for conducting regular application-level penetration tests against our web-based assets" to clarify the day-to-day tasks. 

Doing so helps candidates understand the specific areas they’ll target and the kinds of security challenges they’ll face.

Emphasize report writing and communication skills

A key aspect of penetration testing is the need to communicate findings effectively. Emphasize that candidates must be able to write comprehensive reports and present findings. 

For example, include a line like, "Must deliver detailed penetration test reports and present remediation steps to technical and executive teams." This highlights the importance of translating technical jargon into actionable insights for various audiences.

Outline required certifications

Penetration testing is a field where certain certifications can be a testament to a candidate’s skills and knowledge. State if certifications such as OSCP (Offensive Security Certified Professional), CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker), or others are required or preferred. For instance, mentioning "Preference given to candidates with OSCP certification" in your job description can act as a filter to attract those who have invested time in achieving recognized qualifications.

Penetration testing job description template

Writing an effective job description for a penetration tester is a strategic step toward securing your organization's digital assets. A well-crafted description outlines the role and serves as a reflection of your company's commitment to cybersecurity excellence. Let's look at a template tailored for this position.

Company introduction

Introduce your company – including when it was founded and any notable awards, particularly cybersecurity achievements or partnerships demonstrating its commitment to the field. 

Then, explain how the penetration tester will fit into the company’s cybersecurity framework and contribute to the company’s success. Emphasize a culture that promotes ethical hacking, continuous learning, and staying ahead of cyber threats. Highlight opportunities for them to work with cutting-edge technology and contribute to meaningful projects. 

Benefits of working with [Your company]

Highlight benefits your company offers employees – e.g., health insurance, paid vacation days, etc. Also, note incentives that would appeal specifically to penetration testers, such as a commitment to ongoing professional development through certifications and attending industry conferences. 

Detail the technological resources at their disposal, including software, tools, and access to secure testing environments. Finally, if your company has a bug bounty program or internal competitions, highlight these, as they can be attractive to penetration testers.

Penetration testing job brief

Job title: [Penetration Tester]

Reports to: [E.g., Chief Information Security Officer or Lead Security Analyst]

Position type: [Full-time, part-time, contract, etc.]

Location: [For example, On-site at [Company Address], Hybrid, or Remote]

[Salary and benefits information]

Responsibilities and duties

• Plan and execute penetration tests on applications, networks, and systems.

• Identify and exploit vulnerabilities in software and hardware.

• Document findings and recommend remediation strategies.

• Stay current with the latest testing tools, methodologies, and cyber threats.

• Collaborate with IT and cybersecurity teams to enhance security protocols.

• Conduct security assessments and risk analyses.

• Develop and maintain security testing plans and policies.

• Provide training and support to other team members on security best practices.

Skills and qualifications

Required skills and experience

• Proven experience as a penetration tester or similar cybersecurity role.

• Proficiency with penetration testing tools (e.g., Metasploit, Burp Suite, OWASP ZAP).

• Strong understanding of network protocols, cryptography, and security vulnerabilities.

• Familiarity with programming/scripting languages (e.g., Python, Bash).

• Excellent report-writing and communication skills for documenting findings and advising on security improvements.

• Relevant certifications (e.g., OSCP, CEH).

Preferred skills and experience

• Experience with cloud environments and configurations (AWS, Azure, GCP).

• Advanced cybersecurity certifications (e.g., LPT, GWAPT).

• A record of published research or contributions to the security community.

3 things to avoid when writing a job description for penetration testing

When crafting a job description for a penetration tester, it's important to sidestep certain pitfalls that can lead to attracting unsuitable candidates or setting unclear expectations. Here are three things to avoid:

1. Underemphasizing legal and ethical boundaries

Penetration testing operates in a sensitive legal framework. Without a clear statement about the importance of adhering to legal and ethical standards, your job description might attract candidates who don’t respect these boundaries. Ensure your job description states that all activities must comply with applicable laws and ethical guidelines.

2. Ignoring soft skills

While technical skills are crucial, overlooking the soft skills critical to the role is a mistake. Penetration testers must possess strong analytical thinking, problem-solving capabilities, and solid communication skills to do their jobs effectively. 

Outline the need for these soft skills – and any others relevant to your role, such as attention to detail and adaptability – in your job description to ensure you draw in the right applicants.

3. Overselling the role

Avoid over-promising career progression or scope of work that you can’t guarantee. For example, don’t suggest that the role will involve leading a team or developing major security policies when it primarily consists of routine testing. Otherwise, it’ll lead to dissatisfaction and high turnover. Instead, be realistic about the responsibilities and growth opportunities within the role.

Next steps: Attracting and assessing penetration testing candidates

After writing your penetration testing job description, post it on relevant job boards and await applications. To evaluate the candidates you get, we recommend conducting talent assessments, as they’re an easy, unbiased, and quantifiable way to get a complete understanding of each person who applies.

TestGorilla is the ideal platform for this. Its library includes hundreds of expert-created tests designed to evaluate your candidates quickly and objectively. 

For penetration testers, consider combining several skills-based tests, including:

• Penetration test

• Cybersecurity test 

• Advanced networking in Amazon Web Services (AWS) test

• Cryptography test

• Python (Coding): Debugging test

Pair any of these with your choice of TestGorilla’s many personality and cognitive ability tests to evaluate candidates’ soft skills and behavioral traits, too. You can mix and match up to five tests for a custom assessment.

FAQs

What are the qualifications of a penetration tester?

A penetration tester typically holds a bachelor's degree in cybersecurity or computer science and has industry-recognized certifications such as OSCP or CEH. They’ll also possess practical experience with penetration testing tools and methodologies and a strong understanding of network and system security.

Is penetration testing part of QA?

Penetration testing isn’t traditionally part of quality assurance (QA). It’s a specialized area within cybersecurity that focuses on identifying and mitigating security vulnerabilities rather than on software functionality and performance, the main concerns of QA.

TestGorilla can help you find and choose the best penetration testers

Penetration testers help secure your company’s data by probing for weaknesses in your digital security. Writing a great penetration tester job description outlining the hard and soft skills required for the role is the first step in attracting the best talent. 

Once you’ve written and posted your job description, TestGorilla can help you evaluate your penetration tester candidates. Our platform offers hundreds of talent assessments that provide invaluable insights into candidates’ penetration testing skills, behavioral traits, and personalities, helping you make the right hiring choice for your business. 

Get started today by signing up for a free TestGorilla account.