CybersecurityUpdated Jun 2026

Penetration Tester resume keywords

Conducts authorized security assessments, exploits vulnerabilities, and provides remediation guidance. Use this keyword guide to optimize your resume for ATS scanners and recruiter searches.

Private browser-based — no upload required

Professionals building careers at

GoogleMicrosoftAmazonStripeFigma

Top skills

web app testingnetwork testingexploitationreportingBurp SuiteMetasploit

Location matters

Place keywords in your summary, skills section, and within experience context. ATS systems weight contextual usage higher than keyword lists.

ATS keywords

penetration testingweb applicationexploitationBurp SuiteMetasploitOWASP

Recruiter signals

  • finding severity
  • testing scope
  • client remediation impact

Role details

Salary range: $100K–$165K

Domain: Cybersecurity

Boards: LinkedIn, Indeed, ClearanceJobs

Common mistakes

  • Describing tools used without showing findings severity, testing methodology, or remediation outcomes.
  • Using a generic summary that does not name the target role.
  • Listing tools without showing where they were used.
  • Adding metrics that are not supported by project, work, or portfolio evidence.

Next step

Check if your resume includes these keywords

Use the free Credensa ATS scanner to see how your resume matches against Penetration Tester role requirements. Private browser-only analysis.