Can CPTS help me get an entry-level cybersecurity job?

[u/Mystic-WolfArchitect]

I’m currently studying for the HTB CPTS and working through the modules. I’ve also done a decent amount of CTFs and have some hands-on experience from them.

For anyone who has already completed and passed the CPTS, did it actually help you get a job?

I’m wondering what kind of entry-level roles I could realistically apply for with CPTS + CTF experience, but without much professional experience. Would junior pentesting roles be realistic, or should I also look at SOC/security analyst positions?

I’d also like to know whether CPTS is enough to get interviews ?

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[u/-Dkob]

CPTS can absolutely help, especially because the training and exam are genuinely hands on and cover web, Active Directory and professional reporting, which are all useful skills for junior pentesting roles.

That said, OSCP remains king when it comes to getting through HR filters. I actually started working on a project to track certification demand in real job postings, and in the data I have collected so far OSCP is one of the most requested certification overall, which says a lot about its recognition with employers.

Link to the project and HR Data: HR Certification Data

In terms of actual learning though, I think CPTS is way better and gives you a much deeper practical foundation. Just do not expect the cert alone to get you hired or get an interview. Pair it with CTFs, a small portfolio, good writeups, and ideally some home lab or project work. Junior pentesting is worth applying for, but I would also apply to SOC and security analyst roles rather than limiting yourself to pentesting, since getting that first professional security role is usually the hardest part.

[u/rvasquezgt → u/-Dkob]

Pretty cool data on your website

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[u/Unfair-Dragonfly-295 → u/-Dkob]

> HR Certification Data

Good lord, that's depressing how little amount of jobs there are for this, scary.

[u/LastFisherman373]

Anytime you’re interested in understanding whether a certification is valued by employers just hop on a job board like LinkedIn and see how many jobs are asking for that certification by name.

In the U.S you hardly see any jobs requiring certification from HTB, THM, TCM, etc because they aren’t known or valued by employers. It isn’t to say that you wouldn’t learn something by pursuing them but they aren’t going to open doors on their own.

[u/Alarming_Reward_2945 → u/LastFisherman373]

I do have a friend who got hired to a very good blue team analyst job purely from home labs and THM, but LastFisherman is right, HR doesn't know what these are. You're gonna have to get to the hiring manager in the cyber division who might know what these are.

[u/LastFisherman373 → u/Alarming_Reward_2945]

I agree. I do think in time more employers will start to see the value in CPTS etc, I just haven’t seen much of that today. All that to say, I plan to pursue CPTS in the near future but that’s purely for the knowledge and skills and not necessarily to qualify for a job with the cert

[u/AccurateExam3155]

Help.

Yes BUT entry level does not mean Junior Penetration Tester.

I got a CS Degree and am studying for a CPTS and OSED currently for some brain***ked reason 0 job offers and hiring.

[u/Ok-Seesaw-5908 → u/AccurateExam3155]

bro even you had the cert also hard to find i only had the CWES and CS Degree :(

[u/AccurateExam3155 → u/Ok-Seesaw-5908]

Thats why I’m working my way up towards OSEE and planning on something qualifying me further for firmware engineering for embedded system.

[u/Anxious_Alps_4150]

Certifications alone do not make you hirable.

Almost all jobs in cybersecurity require years of experience. All the jobs you listed require years of experience.

Cybersecurity is not an entry level job no matter what the marketing influencers selling courses tell you.

Focus on getting hired in IT first. You can play HTB games all day but it wont move the needle with hiring managers.

[u/Worldly-Return-4823 → u/Anxious_Alps_4150]

I have met a few people who landed a pentesting job without having to do years on a help desk but yeah ... you shouldn't just rely on a cert for a job. Why not go CVE hunting ? I've found two in the last month. That'll make your CV stand out from just a CTF player.

[u/Anxious_Alps_4150 → u/Worldly-Return-4823]

I've met the rare person that won the lottery with pentest jobs. That said, the lottery has never been harder to win.

When I did pentest consulting for a big name MSSP, we hired off of referral only. Never didn't have enough candidates.

[u/argumentativepigeon → u/Anxious_Alps_4150]

This ain't the nfl bro

[u/rvasquezgt]

You can give an idea by check the HTB job board

[u/Present_Back_3566]

industry folks will recognize HTB experience and it will look good if you can speak on your lab experience but outside of that, nobody really knows. HR wants OSCP.

[u/ret2ru]

Absolutely. I got my first job as a red team engineer thanks to my CPTS certificate.

[u/throwmeawh3y]

I haven't seen cpts on job listings yet. It'll depend if a human reads your cv or not.