Staff-Level Penetration Tester Interview Preparation Guide - Spotify

Staff-level penetration tester interviews at technology companies typically follow a structured multi-stage process designed to evaluate deep technical expertise, security architecture thinking, leadership capabilities, and ability to drive strategic security initiatives. The process includes recruiter screening, technical phone screens focused on penetration testing methodology and tool proficiency, technical onsite rounds covering vulnerability exploitation, security architecture, red team operations, and behavioral/leadership assessment rounds evaluating mentorship, cross-functional collaboration, and strategic decision-making.