Penetration Tester Cover Letter Examples & Guide for 2025

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A cover letter for a penetration tester position in the UK should compellingly convey your technical prowess and understanding of cybersecurity threats, demonstrating your expertise in identifying vulnerabilities and safeguarding systems. It is crucial to articulate your relevant experience and certifications, such as CREST or OSCP, while highlighting successful projects that showcase your proactive approach to security. Additionally, demonstrating a keen awareness of the company's industry and your passion for enhancing their security posture can significantly strengthen your application.

You’ve just sent the same cover letter to 60 different job roles, all beginning with “Dear Sir or Madam” and ending with 'Yours sincerely.'

Bad news: you may have just missed your chance to stand out, as generic cover letters are a very common pitfall in job applications.

Did you know recruiters typically shortlist candidates based on how well they meet the job criteria? Failing to address the key requirements can cost you the role.

In this guide, we’ll show you how to tailor your cover letter to align with the job advert or company, ensuring you showcase your value as a candidate.

Penetration Tester cover letter example

Thomas Walker

Portsmouth, UK

+44 1234 567890

help@enhancv.com


Dear Hiring Manager,

As a seasoned cybersecurity specialist, I was drawn to your company due to its reputed emphasis on innovative security practices and its commitment to safeguarding client data. I have followed your company’s contributions to the industry and am eager to bring my experience in advanced cyber defense to your team.

During my tenure with CyberDefend Ltd, I led a team in the meticulous security evaluation of a critical financial web application, identifying and mitigating over 30 high-level security threats. This effort not only bolstered the client's security framework significantly but also demonstrated my capacity for delivering impactful and quantifiable results. By designing tailored security assessments, I enhanced security postures by 20% for our cloud-based clients and facilitated seamless integration of best practices, reducing vulnerabilities by 40%.

I welcome the opportunity to discuss in more detail how my skills and experience align with the needs of your cybersecurity team. Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the possibility of discussing this exciting opportunity with you.

Sincerely,

Thomas Walker

Senior Penetration Tester
Here’s what makes this cover letter great:


  • Emphasize specialized experience or achievements that directly relate to the cybersecurity field, such as leading security evaluations or reducing vulnerabilities.
  • Highlight specific results or metrics that demonstrate expertise and effectiveness in the role, like percentage improvements in security posture or number of threats mitigated.
  • Mention familiarity with industry-standard practices or tools, showing up-to-date knowledge and capability in current cybersecurity methodologies.

Importance of cover letters in the United Kingdom

Cover letters are a crucial part of your application, offering additional details beyond your CV.

Here’s why they’re essential:

  • Supporting your CV: Now's your opportunity to provide some context for your experience, with more information on your key achievements and how your profile could benefit the position and organisation to which you're applying.
  • Showcases your character: Taking the time to write a cover letter demonstrates that you’re proactive, organised, ambitious, and genuinely interested in the role.
  • Reflects your career goals: Use the cover letter to outline your long-term career career aspirations and how this role aligns with your broader plans.

What UK employers expect from a cover letter

When writing your cover letter for a UK employer, it’s important to keep several things in mind. First, you need to conduct a thorough research, which includes reading up on the company’s website, recent news, and their presence on social media. Understanding the company’s latest achievements and its overall mission will allow you to tailor your letter to their specific needs.

Next, focus on the company’s core values. Whether they value teamwork, innovation, or community involvement, highlighting how your own experience aligns with these principles is essential.

Finally, don’t forget to match your skills to the job’s requirements. Study the job description carefully and pick out the most important qualifications or competencies. Then, provide evidence of how you meet those criteria with concrete examples from your past work experience.

How to format a penetration tester cover letter

Before diving into the content, the structure of your cover letter should include the following elements:

  • Your address and contact details
  • The employer’s name and address
  • Date
  • Salutation or greeting
  • Opening or introductory paragraph
  • Middle or body paragraphs
  • Closing paragraph
  • Sign-off and signature

When it comes to the best font choice, consider modern options like Lato, Rubik, Raleway, Volkhov, Chivo, or Bitter as alternatives to Arial or Times New Roman.

Your cover letter should be single-spaced, with approximately 1-inch (2.5 cm) margins all around (our templates are set up automatically with this spacing in mind).

Ensure your CV and cover letter use the same font for consistency, and always send them as a PDF to prevent edits and maintian formatting.

Lastly, while Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS—the software used to match your application to set requirements) won't read your cover letter, recruiters certainly will, so make sure it stands out.

How to write your penetration tester cover letter salutation

First impressions often start with the greeting and in the case of your job application, 'Dear Sir or Madam' simply won't suffice.

Find out who’s hiring for the role—by calling or emailing the company, searching online, or using LinkedIn—and address them correctly.

Generally, you should address them by their surname (e.g., 'Dear Mrs Weasley'), but if you've spoken to them before, you might use their first name (e.g., 'Dear Albus').

How to write your penetration tester cover letter intro

While your cover letter should remain professional, adding a touch of personality or humour can make you stand out.

Hiring managers sift through countless applications, day in and day out. Anything unique or personable that grabs their attention could give you a competitive edge.

But do your homework first to ensure a dash of creativity would be appropriate and suitable to the company culture.

Cover Letter Intro
With a keen appreciation for CyberGuard's commitment to pioneering secure digital solutions and empowering organisations through its innovative approach, I am drawn to the opportunity of contributing as a Penetration Tester. My dedication to fortifying digital landscapes aligns perfectly with your mission to revolutionise cybersecurity.
RIGHT

How to write your penetration tester cover letter body

Your cover letter body is the most spacious and vital part of this document—it highlights your true value and the impact you can bring as a candidate.

Remember, your cover letter serves a different purpose to your CV. Here, you need to show your skills in context by telling the story of one significant achievement, hinting at how you’ll help your future employer achieve their goals.

So, when writing your cover letter body:

  • Use concrete achievements to demonstrate your personality and impact.
  • Support your achievements with quantifiable data and metrics.
  • Tell the story of a successful project you’ve worked on and explain how you contributed to the outcome.
  • Highlight both hard and soft skills to make your story more engaging.
  • Focus on skills that are most relevant to the role and align with the company’s needs.
Cover Letter Body
During my tenure at CyberSafe Solutions, I had the opportunity to spearhead a project that significantly bolstered the security infrastructure of a major client in the financial sector. By conducting a meticulous penetration test, I identified a critical vulnerability in their online banking system that could have been exploited to compromise sensitive customer data. The discovery led to the implementation of an enhanced security protocol which decreased the risk of potential breaches by 85%. This accomplishment not only reinforced my expertise in vulnerability assessment and ethical hacking but also underscored the tangible impact of proactive cybersecurity measures on safeguarding valuable assets. This project was particularly fulfilling as it showcased my ability to meticulously analyse complex systems and deliver robust security solutions under tight deadlines.
RIGHT

How to write a closing paragraph

Now we’ve reached the closing paragraph of your cover letter. You might be tempted to end with a simple Yours sincerely, but don’t!

Instead, finish with a promise to enhance the company’s performance metrics (backed by your hard and soft skills), to develop as a professional, or something else that holds significance for the organisation. Whatever you choose, ensure to stand behind your words and be remain sincere.

Don’t forget to include a call to action, encouraging recruiters to suggest the best time to follow up for an interview or update.

Cover Letter Closing
Thank you for considering my application. I am eager to bring my skills and experience in penetration testing to your esteemed company and contribute meaningfully to your security team. I am confident that my proactive approach and unwavering commitment to cyber security will provide substantial value. I warmly invite you to schedule an interview at your earliest convenience to discuss how I can best support your organisation's goals. Thank you once again for your time and consideration, and I look forward to the opportunity to speak with you soon.
RIGHT

Conclusion

Creating a compelling cover letter is vital in making a positive first impression on potential employers. Personalise your letter by addressing the hiring manager directly and ensuring your skills align with the job description.

Highlight specific achievements that demonstrate your suitability for the role, and express genuine enthusiasm for the opportunity. Finally, maintain a professional format that complements your CV for a cohesive application.

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Volen Vulkov
Volen Vulkov is a resume expert and the co-founder of Enhancv. He applies his deep knowledge and experience to write about a career change, development, and how to stand out in the job application process.
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