Explore the world of penetration testing in this comprehensive conference talk from BSides Detroit 2016. Gain valuable insights from Calvin Hedler as he shares his expertise on becoming a successful pentester. Learn about essential gear, tools, and strategies for planning ahead and finding vulnerabilities. Discover the importance of maintaining professionalism, avoiding cocky behavior, and prioritizing security over personal enjoyment. Delve into case studies covering reverse brute force attacks, Responder tool usage, physical security challenges, and SQL injection techniques. Understand the significance of constant learning, creative problem-solving, and OPSEC in the field. Acquire knowledge on prerequisite skills, job titles, external tools, Linux proficiency, and the use of Metasploit. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced professional, this talk offers practical advice and real-world examples to enhance your penetration testing skills.