EP 90: How to Get Your First Job as a Pentester with Chris Horner

EP 90: How to Get Your First Job as a Pentester with Chris Horner

Author: Kip Boyle February 17, 2023 Duration: 36:09

https://www.yourcyberpath.com/90/

In this episode our host Jason Dion goes over the very exciting topic of how to get your first job as a Pentester with Chris Horner, banking expert turned Security engineer and Penetration tester and together they go through Chris's background, how he got into banking and why he made the switch to Cybersecurity.

Chris discusses his transition story and how it's not the cliche zero to hero in 90 days, explaining that it took him a long time to transition where he is today, highlighting that his networking experience and soft skills were a huge aid on his job hunting journey.

Jason then shares his opinion on Chris's journey highlighting many important parts, like how to deal with time limitations during your studies and how to choose the right path to start you Cyber career.

Chris then shares his experience with the eJPT certification exam and how he was able to pass it, giving us examples of the training he used and how he prepared for it.

Then Chris and Jason go over Chris's Job responsibilities and how he goes about every one of them, what he enjoys, what he finds tedious and what parts of the job he finds challenging.

In the end Jason and Chris discuss the hiring process from two different perspectives, the hiring manager perspective and the applicant perspective discussing the different challenges that both people go through.

What You’ll Learn

●    How important are soft skills for someone in the cybersecurity industry?

●   How to choose the right certifications to start your pentesting career?

●   What is the eJPT test like?

●    What is it like working as a Pentester?

●    How long does it take to get your first Job in Pentesting?

●    How to fight self doubt and continue your cyber career journey?

Relevant Websites For This Episode

●    https://www.offensive-security.com/labs/

●    https://www.vulnhub.com/

●    https://ctftime.org/

●  https://www.linkedin.com/ in/chrismhorner/

●  https://www.diontraining.com/courses

Other Relevant Episodes

●   Episode 82 - From Truck Driver to Cybersecurity Analyst with Mike Hillman

●  Episode 79 - Mid-Career Transition Success Story with Steve McMichael

●  Episode 76 - Which Certification Roadmap Or Path Should I Use?


Navigating a career in cybersecurity can feel like a maze without a clear map. Your Cyber Path: How to Get Your Dream Cybersecurity Job, hosted by Kip Boyle, cuts through the noise by focusing on the perspective of the people who actually make hiring decisions. This isn't just generic advice; it's a direct line to understanding what employers are truly looking for in candidates, from entry-level roles to advanced positions. Each episode delves into the practical, often unspoken, steps needed to build your skills, craft your resume, and ace interviews in this competitive field. You'll hear concrete strategies for bridging the gap between where you are now and that ideal job, all framed within the broader contexts of business, technology, and personal growth. Tune into this podcast for honest conversations that translate complex career pathways into actionable plans, helping you move forward with confidence. Whether you're considering a pivot or aiming to advance, the guidance here is rooted in real-world hiring dynamics, making it a valuable resource for anyone serious about building a future in cybersecurity.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Your Cyber Path: How to Get Your Dream Cybersecurity Job
Podcast Episodes
EP 96: SDP 1 (Least Privilege) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:01
https://www.yourcyberpath.com/96/ In this episode, we unpack the first of the Security Design Principles, Least Privilege. If you have never heard of it before, Least Privilege is the act of giving a person the most mini…
EP 95: The Cybersecurity Student Perspective with Sam Bodine [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:49
https://www.yourcyberpath.com/95/ In the beginning, our hosts Jason Dion and Kip Boyle talk a little bit about their new company Akylade, which is going to provide affordable cybersecurity training. They discuss their in…
EP 94: Ten Security Design Principles (SDP) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:10
https://www.yourcyberpath.com/94/ To start off this episode, our hosts go on a short chat about ChatGPT and how it can be useful for cybersecurity professionals and job hunters. They also highlight the difference between…
EP 93: CyberWIDE Panel - LevelUp - InfoSec Certifications Soup [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:27:52
https://www.yourcyberpath.com/93/ In this special episode, we are going to share with you a live webinar hosted by the North Texas Information Systems Security Association. They invited our own Jason Dion and Kip Boyle f…
EP 92:  Password Managers [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:11
https://www.yourcyberpath.com/92/ In this short episode, our hosts Jason Dion and Kip Boyle discuss the critically important topic of password managers. In the beginning, Jason quickly describes password managers, their…
EP 91: Mobile Device Security  with Haseeb Awan [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:09
https://www.yourcyberpath.com/91/ Haseeb Awan is the Founder & CEO at EFANI Secure Mobile. In this episode, we'll hear about Haseeb's cyber path, and we'll explore some of the biggest mobile phone risks and what you can…
EP 89: Getting My First Job in Cybersecurity with Ayub Yusuf [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:01
https://www.yourcyberpath.com/89/ In this episode our host, Jason, interviews Ayub (@WhiteCyberDuck) about how he got into the Cybersecurity industry This time we go over a very common case where people tend to study som…
EP 88: The CIA Triad - The Basis of Cybersecurity (Authentication) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:12
https://www.yourcyberpath.com/88/ In this episode we arrive at the end of our five-part series talking about the CIA NA Pentagram, this time discussing the last pillar, Authentication. Authentication is always associated…
EP 87: The CIA Triad - The Basis of Cybersecurity (Nonrepudiation) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:19
https://www.yourcyberpath.com/87/ In the fourth video of this five-part series discussing the CIA-NA pentagram, Kips and Jason talk about nonrepudiation. In simple terms, nonrepudiation means you can't say you didn't do…
EP 86: The CIA Triad - The Basis of Cybersecurity (Availability) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:17
https://www.yourcyberpath.com/86/ In this episode, Kip and Jason discuss everything that makes the A in the CIA Triad, Availability. Availability is when you like to use a system and it's there ready for you to use, beca…