Penetration testing is one of the most in-demand areas within cyber security, yet for many hiring managers, an entry level penetration tester is rarely the first role they recruit for, especially for anyone hoping to progress into junior penetration tester jobs.

Instead, employers look for strong foundations in security operations, networking, and system behaviour before allowing anyone to work directly on offensive testing. This gap leaves many graduates feeling unsure about where to begin.

In this blog, you’ll learn the real starting points, the essential skills you need, and the practical routes that lead to a future career in penetration testing.

Why Pen Testing Is Rarely Step One

Pen testing involves controlled attacks on systems and organisations need to trust that the person doing this work understands the impact of every action. This level of responsibility usually requires proven experience in both spotting threats and recognising how they unfold in real environments.

This is why most employers prefer candidates who have already spent time in security operations as these positions give you hands-on exposure to alerts, logs, vulnerabilities, and incidents, helping you learn how attackers move and how businesses respond.

Hiring managers consistently look for three things:

• Strong fundamentals
• Evidence of practical learning
• The ability to explain what you’ve done

Without experience in monitoring, investigation, or security tooling, it’s harder to demonstrate that you’re ready for the responsibility that comes with pen testing.

Entry-Level Penetration Tester Career Paths

For most graduates, the path into penetration testing begins with roles that build the foundations needed before stepping into an entry level penetration tester role.

SOC Analyst

A SOC analyst role gives you exposure to SIEM platforms and endpoint security systems and you’ll monitor alerts, investigate suspicious activity, and learn how attackers behave once they’re inside a network. This experience becomes invaluable later in pen testing and is often a key requirement before progressing into junior penetration tester jobs.

Junior Security Analyst

In junior security analyst roles, you support vulnerability scanning, patch management, security reporting, and basic incident response. You’ll gain a solid understanding of system weaknesses and how organisations prioritise remediation. This teaches you the fundamentals of identifying and explaining risk, which is crucial for pen testers who must document and communicate findings clearly.

AppSec Assistant

Some graduates step into application security support roles, where they learn secure coding practices, review basic vulnerabilities, and support developers in fixing issues. This is a great route if you're interested in web or application testing, as it helps you build a strong foundation in how applications are built and broken.

Skills Needed to Get Junior Penetration Tester Jobs

Hiring managers expect graduates to have solid technical fundamentals before they begin any offensive work. These prove that you understand how systems behave, how networks communicate, and importantly, how vulnerabilities emerge.

Networking Basics

A strong foundation in networking helps you recognise how attackers move through systems. Focus on IP addressing, routing, ports, protocols, DNS, and how traffic flows across a network. These skills make it easier to understand attack paths and identify weak points.

Windows Fundamentals

Many enterprise environments rely heavily on Windows. Learn how Active Directory works, how permissions are structured, and how common misconfigurations appear. This knowledge is essential when analysing privilege escalation or lateral movement.

Linux Navigation

Linux is the backbone of most security tools and testing environments. Build confidence with file permissions, basic commands, package managers, and scripting. This will help you stand out when applying for graduate cyber security jobs, where employers value hands-on familiarity with core operating systems.

Scripting Basics

Python is a strong starting point, but Bash or PowerShell are equally useful. You don’t need to be a developer, you just need enough scripting ability to automate tasks or adjust basic scripts.

Web Security Fundamentals

Almost every organisation runs web applications, making web security a core skill. Study request/response behaviour, cookies, sessions, authentication, and common issues like SQLi, XSS, and IDOR.

These skill areas create the technical base hiring managers look for before considering you for hands-on junior penetration tester jobs and they also reflect the core competencies highlighted across our cyber security specialism.

A 12-Week Study Plan to Build These Skills

This 12-week study plan helps you build the fundamentals employers expect before you progress toward penetration testing.

Weeks 1-4: Core Technical Foundations

Focus on networking, Linux, and Windows. Complete introductory labs on platforms like TryHackMe or Hack The Box Academy. Aim to understand IP addressing, routing, Windows file structures, Linux permissions, and command-line basics. These early weeks give you the context needed for the next stages.

Weeks 5-8: Scripting and Practical Security Work

Begin learning Python or PowerShell to automate small tasks. Pair this with simple security labs such as vulnerability scanning or basic malware triage. Your goal is not to master coding but to build confidence in reading and adjusting scripts. Create small notes or code snippets as part of your learning.

Weeks 9-12: Web Security and Hands-On Application Testing

During this phase, focus on understanding the OWASP Top 10, which outlines the most common and impactful web application vulnerabilities. OWASP provides free, detailed explanations and examples that are ideal for graduate-level study.

By the end of 12 weeks, you should have a meaningful foundation that prepares you for junior security roles and places you on the right trajectory toward becoming an entry level penetration tester.

Certifications That Matter

Certifications can help graduates stand out but employers care more about timing and relevance. A structured approach ensures you focus on the qualifications that support your long-term development into penetration testing.

CompTIA Security+

Security+ is often the first certification employers recommend for graduates. It gives you a strong grounding in core security principles, network defence, access control, and risk management. You can explore the official Security+ skills outline on the CompTIA website to understand what the exam covers.

eJPT (Junior Penetration Tester)

The eJPT is a practical, beginner-friendly certification that introduces core offensive concepts such as enumeration, exploitation, and basic web security. It offers hands-on labs and a practical exam, making it a strong next step once you have some foundational experience.

OSCP (Long-Term Goal)

The OSCP is one of the most respected penetration testing certifications, but it is rarely suitable for graduates with no industry experience. It becomes valuable once you have six to twelve months in a security role and have built confidence with Linux, networking, scripting, and vulnerability analysis.

Building a Portfolio That Shows You’re Ready

A strong portfolio helps demonstrate your readiness for junior penetration tester jobs. It just needs to be clear, safe, and relevant.

Lab Triage Notes

Start by documenting your approach to simple security labs. Explain what you observed, how you investigated it, and the outcome. Keep your writing clear and focus on the reasoning behind your decisions.

Safe Web Vulnerability Demos

Use intentionally vulnerable platforms to practise finding basic issues like broken authentication or insecure input handling. Summarise your findings in a short write-up that explains the vulnerability, the impact, and the fix.

Mini Incident Write-Ups

Create short incident summaries based on lab activity. Show how you would investigate an alert, identify the root cause, and recommend next steps. This mirrors the type of documentation used in SOC roles.

Documenting Without Leaking Data

Avoid using screenshots or logs from real organisations. Stick to safe labs and open-source tools. Hiring managers look for good judgement and clear communication, not risky disclosures.

A Realistic 12-24 Month Path into Pen Testing

Building a clear path helps you stay focused and measure your progress. Most graduates reach their first offensive security opportunity within one to two years of hands-on experience.

• Months 0-6: Secure an entry level SOC analyst or junior security analyst role. Build confidence with alerts, logs, investigations, and core tooling.
• Months 6-12: Strengthen your technical fundamentals. Work on scripting, vulnerability management, and structured documentation. Begin targeted study for certifications like Security+ or eJPT.
• Months 12-18: Support internal testing activities or shadow senior testers where possible. Expand your portfolio with safe practical projects.
• Months 18-24: Apply for junior penetration tester jobs or internal progression opportunities. Your mix of experience, certifications, and portfolio should position you strongly for competitive entry level penetration tester jobs.

Job Searching Advice for Graduates

Understanding how to approach the job search makes a significant difference when aiming for early security roles. Many ads describe an ideal candidate, not a realistic entry-level expectation, so focus on the core responsibilities rather than every item listed under desired skills.

Highlight the fundamentals you’ve built and any lab-based experience. Clear examples of practical learning carry more weight than generic statements about being passionate or hardworking.

When messaging a recruiter, include your learning progress, portfolio link, and the roles you’re targeting. This shows you’re organised and serious about starting your cyber security career.

Understanding how employers evaluate candidates for cyber security graduate jobs can also help you tailor your applications more effectively. Reviewing the requirements across graduate-level roles can also help you refine how you present your early experience.

Salary Snapshot

Graduate salaries in cyber security vary depending on location and the size of the organisation, but most entry level SOC analysts start between £26,000 and £32,000.

Junior security analysts typically fall within a similar range. Junior penetration tester roles usually start slightly higher, often £32,000 to £38,000, reflecting the additional responsibility and technical depth expected.

How Hamilton Barnes Supports Your Path to a Junior Penetration Tester Role

Starting a career in cyber security can feel overwhelming, but you don’t need to navigate it alone. At Hamilton Barnes, our cyber security specialists help graduates secure roles that build the foundations needed for future pen testing careers.

We connect you with an SOC analyst, junior analyst, and early-stage security opportunities that match your strengths and ambitions. Our team offers guidance throughout your search, from reviewing portfolios to preparing for interviews.

If you're ready to take the next step, explore our graduate opportunities and get in touch.