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18 Penetration Tester Interview Questions (With Example Answers)

It's important to prepare for an interview in order to improve your chances of getting the job. Researching questions beforehand can help you give better answers during the interview. Most interviews will include questions about your personality, qualifications, experience and how well you would fit the job. In this article, we review examples of various penetration tester interview questions and sample answers to some of the most common questions.

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Common Penetration Tester Interview Questions

What drew you to the field of penetration testing?

An interviewer might ask "What drew you to the field of penetration testing?" to a/an Penetration Tester in order to better understand the motivations behind why they decided to enter into this particular field of work. It is important to understand an individual's motivations behind their chosen profession as it can give insights into how they approach their work, and whether or not they are likely to be satisfied with their current position. Additionally, this question can also help to identify any training or experience that an individual may have in the field of penetration testing, which can be helpful in determining if they are qualified for the role.

Example: “I've always been interested in computers and how they work, and penetration testing is a natural extension of that. I'm also drawn to the challenge of finding vulnerabilities in systems and exploiting them. It's a constant learning process, and I enjoy being able to apply my skills to real-world scenarios.”

What are your favorite tools and techniques for testing networks and systems?

There are many tools and techniques that can be used to test networks and systems for vulnerabilities. The interviewer is trying to determine what methods the candidate is familiar with and prefers to use. This information is important because it can help the interviewer understand the candidate's approach to testing and whether they are likely to find potential security issues.

Example: “My favorite tools and techniques for testing networks and systems are:

-Nmap for network mapping and port scanning
-Wireshark for packet analysis
-Metasploit for exploitation
-Burp Suite for web application testing
-Hydra for brute force attacks”

What was the most challenging engagement you've ever worked on?

There are a few reasons why an interviewer might ask a penetration tester about their most challenging engagement. First, it allows the interviewer to gauge the depth of the penetration tester's experience. Second, it allows the interviewer to understand how the penetration tester deals with difficult situations. Finally, it allows the interviewer to get a sense of the kinds of challenges that the penetration tester is likely to encounter in the future.

Example: “The most challenging engagement I ever worked on was a network penetration test of a large financial institution. The client had very strict security requirements and we had to adhere to a very strict testing methodology. Additionally, the client had a large, complex network which made testing very difficult.”

What is your experience with social engineering attacks?

An interviewer would ask "What is your experience with social engineering attacks?" to a/an Penetration Tester to determine if they have the necessary skills to carry out the job. It is important to know if the candidate has experience with social engineering attacks because they are a common type of attack used by hackers. Social engineering attacks exploit human weaknesses, such as gullibility and trust, to gain access to systems or data.

Example: “I have experience with social engineering attacks in a few different ways. I have conducted social engineering assessments for clients, where I would attempt to gain information or access through various methods such as pretexting, phishing, and vishing. I have also performed social engineering on myself in order to test my own security awareness and susceptibility to these types of attacks. Additionally, I have researched social engineering extensively and have written articles on the topic.”

What types of vulnerabilities are you most interested in finding?

The interviewer is trying to gauge the depth of the penetration tester's knowledge and experience. It is important to know what types of vulnerabilities the penetration tester is interested in finding because it shows whether they are focused on finding specific types of vulnerabilities that could be exploited or if they are more general in their approach. This question also allows the interviewer to get a sense for how the penetration tester approaches their work and whether they are systematic in their thinking.

Example: “I am most interested in finding vulnerabilities that can be exploited to gain access to sensitive data or systems. This includes vulnerabilities such as SQL injection, cross-site scripting, and remote code execution. I am also interested in finding vulnerabilities that can be used to launch denial of service attacks or to gain a foothold in a network for further exploitation.”

What do you think is the biggest misconception about penetration testing?

There are a few reasons why an interviewer might ask this question. First, they want to see if the candidate has a good understanding of penetration testing and its purpose. Second, they want to see if the candidate is able to identify common misconceptions about penetration testing. This is important because it shows that the candidate is able to think critically about the topic and is able to communicate their thoughts clearly. Finally, this question allows the interviewer to gauge the candidate's level of experience and knowledge in this area.

Example: “The biggest misconception about penetration testing is that it is a one-time event. Penetration testing should be an ongoing process to ensure that your systems are secure.”

How do you approach a new engagement?

As a penetration tester, it is important to have a methodical and systematic approach to engagements in order to ensure that all potential vulnerabilities are identified and addressed. The interviewer is likely wanting to gauge the applicant's level of experience and expertise in the field, as well as their ability to think critically about how to approach a new engagement.

Example: “The first step is to understand the client’s needs and objectives for the engagement. This includes understanding the scope of work, timeline, and budget. Once these objectives are understood, the next step is to plan the engagement. This includes identifying the targets for testing, determining the types of tests to be performed, and creating a schedule. After the engagement is planned, the next step is to execute the tests. This includes carrying out vulnerability scans, performing penetration tests, and writing reports. Finally, the last step is to debrief the client on the findings and provide recommendations for remediation.”

What do you think is the most important skill for a penetration tester to have?

The interviewer is trying to gauge the penetration tester's understanding of the skills required for the job. It is important for the interviewer to know if the penetration tester has the necessary skills to perform the job, as well as whether they are able to articulate why those skills are important. By asking this question, the interviewer can get a better sense of the penetration tester's qualifications.

Example: “There are many important skills for a penetration tester to have, but one of the most important is the ability to think like an attacker. This means being able to identify potential vulnerabilities and exploit them in order to gain access to systems or data. It also requires an understanding of how attackers operate and what their goals are. This knowledge can be used to develop better defenses against future attacks.”

What do you think sets your work apart from other penetration testers?

There are several reasons an interviewer might ask a penetration tester what sets their work apart from others. First, it allows the interviewer to gauge the level of confidence the penetration tester has in their abilities. Second, it gives the interviewer insight into the penetration tester's process and how they approach their work. Finally, it allows the interviewer to identify any areas where the penetration tester may need improvement.

Asking a penetration tester what sets their work apart from others is important because it allows the interviewer to assess the penetration tester's skills and abilities. It also provides insight into the penetration tester's process and how they approach their work. This information can be used to identify any areas where the penetration tester may need improvement.

Example: “I believe that my work stands out from other penetration testers for several reasons. First and foremost, I have a strong technical background and am able to quickly understand new systems and technologies. Additionally, I have a keen eye for detail and am able to identify potential security vulnerabilities that others may overlook. Finally, I have a passion for security and am always keeping up with the latest security news and developments in order to better protect my clients.”

How do you stay up-to-date on new attack methods and tools?

The interviewer is asking this question to determine if the penetration tester is keeping up with the latest attack methods and tools. This is important because it shows that the penetration tester is constantly improving their skills and keeping up with the latest threats. It also shows that they are willing to invest the time and effort into staying up-to-date.

Example: “There are a few different ways to stay up-to-date on new attack methods and tools. One way is to follow security researchers and developers on social media, such as Twitter. Another way is to subscribe to mailing lists, such as the Full Disclosure mailing list, where new vulnerabilities and exploits are often announced. Additionally, there are numerous security conferences held throughout the year where new attack methods and tools are often presented. Finally, there are many online resources, such as the website exploit-db.com, which curate and provide access to the latest exploits.”

What has been your most memorable finding during a penetration test?

There are a few reasons why an interviewer might ask this question. First, they want to know if the candidate has had any memorable or interesting findings during penetration tests. This can help the interviewer gauge the candidate's experience and knowledge. Additionally, the interviewer may be looking for examples of the candidate's analytical and problem-solving skills. Finally, the interviewer may be trying to assess the candidate's ability to communicate complex technical information in a clear and concise manner.

Example: “My most memorable finding during a penetration test was when I discovered a critical vulnerability in an organization's website. This particular vulnerability allowed me to take over the entire website and access sensitive information. The organization was not aware of this issue and it took them some time to fix it. In the meantime, I was able to obtain sensitive information and use it to my advantage.”

How do you handle when a client isn't happy with the results of your test?

The interviewer is trying to gauge the Penetration Tester's ability to handle difficult situations. It is important for the interviewer to know how the Penetration Tester will handle when a client is not happy with the results of a test, because this will give them a better understanding of the Penetration Tester's work ethic and how they will handle difficult situations that may arise during the course of a project.

Example: “If a client isn't happy with the results of your test, the first thing you should do is try to understand their concerns. It may be helpful to ask them questions about what they were expecting to see from the test, and what they were hoping to achieve. Once you have a better understanding of their needs, you can work with them to determine how to best address their concerns. This may involve re-running the test with different parameters, or providing additional analysis or interpretation of the results. Ultimately, your goal is to ensure that the client is satisfied with the outcome of the test and that their needs have been met.”

What do you think is the biggest challenge in penetration testing today?

There are many possible reasons why an interviewer would ask this question. It could be to gauge the candidate's understanding of the current landscape of penetration testing, to see if they are keeping up with current trends, or to simply get a conversation started about the challenges faced by penetration testers today.

Some of the challenges that penetration testers face today include:

-The increasing complexity of networks and systems

-The ever-evolving nature of security threats

-The need for specialized skills and knowledge

-The challenge of staying ahead of the curve

Example: “The biggest challenge in penetration testing today is the constantly changing landscape of technology. With new devices and operating systems being released all the time, it can be difficult to keep up with all the latest vulnerabilities. Additionally, many companies are now using cloud-based services, which can add another layer of complexity to testing. It’s important for penetration testers to stay up-to-date on all the latest technology trends in order to be able to effectively test for vulnerabilities.”

How do you see the future of penetration testing evolving?

There are a few reasons why an interviewer might ask this question to a penetration tester. First, they may be trying to gauge the tester's understanding of the field and how it is changing. Second, they may be interested in the tester's opinion on new trends or developments in penetration testing. Finally, the interviewer may be trying to get a sense of the tester's long-term goals and how they see their career evolving.

It is important for penetration testers to be up-to-date on the latest trends and developments in their field. They need to understand how the landscape is changing and what new challenges they may face in the future. Additionally, it is important for testers to have a clear vision for their career and where they see themselves going. By asking this question, the interviewer can get a better sense of the tester's overall understanding of penetration testing and where they see the field going.

Example: “There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the future of penetration testing will largely depend on the specific needs and goals of each organization. However, we anticipate that penetration testing will continue to evolve and become more sophisticated as attackers become more skilled at circumventing traditional security measures. In response, organizations will need to increasingly rely on penetration testers to help them identify and resolve potential security vulnerabilities.”

What are your thoughts on automated penetration testing tools?

An interviewer might ask a penetration tester about their thoughts on automated penetration testing tools to get a sense of the tester's familiarity and comfort level with using such tools. Additionally, the interviewer might be interested in understanding the tester's opinions on the benefits and drawbacks of using automated tools. It is important for penetration testers to have a good understanding of automated tools because they can help to speed up and simplify the testing process. However, it is also important for testers to be aware of the limitations of these tools and to know when it is appropriate to use them.

Example: “There are pros and cons to using automated penetration testing tools. On the plus side, they can save time and effort by automating repetitive tasks. They can also be used to test a large number of systems in parallel, which can be helpful when testing for vulnerabilities in a large network. On the downside, automated tools can sometimes produce false positives, meaning that they report vulnerabilities that don't actually exist. They can also miss some types of vulnerabilities altogether. In general, I think automated tools can be helpful in identifying potential security issues, but they should always be verified by a human before taking any further action.”

Do you have any tips on writing great reports for clients?

There are a few reasons why an interviewer might ask a penetration tester for tips on writing great reports for clients. First, the interviewer wants to know if the penetration tester is experienced in report writing and if they have any helpful tips to share. Second, the interviewer wants to know if the penetration tester is able to communicate effectively in writing, as this is an important skill for penetration testers. Finally, the interviewer wants to know if the penetration tester is able to provide clear and concise reports that are easy for clients to understand. Great reports are important because they help clients understand the findings of a penetration test and what they can do to improve their security posture.

Example: “There are a few things to keep in mind when writing reports for clients:

1. Keep it concise and to the point.

2. Use clear and easy to understand language.

3. Be sure to include all relevant information, such as what was tested, what vulnerabilities were found, and how they can be remediated.

4. Use visuals where possible to help illustrate your findings.

5. Make sure to proofread your report before sending it off to the client.”

How do you deal with scope creep during an engagement?

Scope creep is a major issue during engagements because it can cause the engagement to go over budget and over time. It is important for penetration testers to be able to deal with scope creep in order to keep the engagement on track.

Example: “Scope creep is a very common issue during penetration testing engagements. There are a few ways to deal with it, depending on the situation.

If the scope creep is coming from the client, the best thing to do is to try to scope the engagement as tightly as possible from the beginning. This means being very clear about what is in scope and out of scope, and getting the client to sign off on the scope before starting work. If scope creep does happen, you can then point back to the agreed-upon scope and remind the client that anything outside of that scope will need to be approved before work can begin.

If the scope creep is coming from your own team, the best thing to do is to have a clear process in place for approving changes to scope. This way, everyone is aware of what needs to be done in order to make a change, and no one can just start working on something without approval. This process should include communication with the client so that they are always aware of what is happening.”

What are your thoughts on security certifications for penetration testers?

There are a few reasons an interviewer might ask this question. First, they may be interested in whether or not the penetration tester is certified. This can be important because it can show that the penetration tester has the necessary skills and knowledge to do the job. Second, the interviewer may be interested in the penetration tester's thoughts on security certifications. This can be important because it can help to gauge the penetration tester's level of expertise and knowledge.

Example: “There are a few different types of security certifications for penetration testers, and each has its own advantages and disadvantages. The most popular certifications are the Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) and the Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP).

The CEH is a great certification for those who want to get started in penetration testing, as it covers a broad range of topics and provides a solid foundation in ethical hacking. However, it is not as specialized as the OSCP, which focuses specifically on offensive security.

The OSCP is a more advanced certification, and is therefore better suited for those who already have some experience in penetration testing. It is also more expensive and time-consuming to obtain than the CEH.

Ultimately, it is up to the individual penetration tester to decide which certification (if any) is right for them. There is no one-size-fits-all answer, as each person's situation is unique.”

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