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Penetration Tester resume template
A clean starting structure with example content grounded in what penetration testers actually do day to day, not generic filler. Download and replace the bracketed placeholders with your own details.
Which resume format should you use?
Reverse chronological
You have a steady work history. This is the format almost every recruiter and ATS expects by default.
Functional
You're changing fields or have gaps in your employment. Leads with skills rather than a job-by-job timeline.
Combination
You're early career or have worked consistently but for only a few employers. Blends a skills summary with a shorter chronological history.
This template uses the reverse chronological format: the one most penetration testers should default to, since most Australian recruiters and ATS software expect it.
Professional summary
Penetration tester with hands-on experience running controlled attacks against networks, web applications and cloud systems to expose exploitable weaknesses before real adversaries find them. Comfortable working across the full engagement lifecycle, from reconnaissance and exploitation through to clear, severity-rated reporting for both technical and executive audiences. Strong grounding in Australian regulatory expectations and the ASD Essential Eight.
Key skills
- Penetration testing and vulnerability assessment
- Network and systems administration
- Risk and internal controls
- Regulatory compliance
- Data and log analysis
- Burp Suite
- Metasploit
- Nmap
- Wireshark
- Kali Linux
Experience: example bullet points
- Executed controlled penetration tests against web applications, internal networks and cloud infrastructure, identifying critical and high-severity vulnerabilities ahead of production releases
- Documented findings with CVSS severity ratings and clear remediation advice, working directly with development and infrastructure teams to close gaps quickly
- Tested authentication mechanisms, access controls and encryption configurations against OWASP and ASD Essential Eight benchmarks, flagging non-compliant systems for priority patching
- Analysed firewall, IDS and server logs using Wireshark to trace exploit paths and confirm the true scope of simulated breaches
- Presented technical findings and risk ratings to non-technical stakeholders, translating exploit chains into business impact to secure sign-off on remediation work
Education
Most penetration testers hold a bachelor degree in cyber security, computer science or information technology, though a diploma or Certificate IV in cyber security combined with recognised certifications such as OSCP, CEH or CREST registration is also a well-trodden path into the role.
Keywords an ATS is likely to scan for
Applicant tracking systems match your resume against terms in the job ad before a person ever sees it. Only include the ones that actually apply to your experience, but if a term below matches something you've done, use the same wording the job ad uses.
- Penetration testing
- Vulnerability assessment
- OSCP
- CREST
- OWASP
- ASD Essential Eight
- ACSC
- CVSS
- Red team
- Ethical hacking
- ISO 27001
- Privacy Act 1988
- Network security
- Rules of engagement
Getting past ATS screening
- Match the specific skills, certifications and terms used in the job ad, not just your own wording for the same thing.
- Keep formatting simple: no tables, text boxes, columns, headers/footers or graphics. Parsers frequently drop content placed in these.
- Submit as .docx or PDF unless the job ad specifies otherwise.
- Use standard section headings (Experience, Education, Skills) rather than creative alternatives.
- List your core skills and technical competencies in their own section so a keyword scan can find them instantly.
This is a starting point, not a guarantee of interviews. Tailor every bullet point to your own real experience and the specific job ad.