IT Manager Resume Example
If you're hoping to start a career as an IT manager, you'll need experience in managing IT budgets and ensuring system security. If you want to stand out with your IT manager applications, you'll need to create a professional resume that makes a strong impression on employers. In this article, we'll showcase resume tips and examples that can help you create a professional IT manager resume that catches the eye of hiring managers.
The aim of this article is to equip you with all the knowledge required to create a resume that positions you to succeed in your IT manager applications. You'll find useful insights on constructing a resume that makes the most of your unique skills, experience and strengths. You'll also learn how to tailor your resume according to the job description, and depending on your experience levels. Read on to learn the tips Jobseeker careers experts recommend as the best for your IT manager resume.
What to include in an IT manager resume
Although the content of an IT manager resume may differ according to your experience and seniority, the main sections will remain the same.
If you're applying for junior, entry-level or graduate IT manager positions and you lack work experience, consider using a skills-based resume format to emphasize your skills and education. Furthermore, a junior resume is more likely to focus on soft and transferable skills, as well as relevant training, internships and volunteer roles.
Work experience is typically the most important resume section for IT manager applicants with some prior experience. As such, it's best to use a traditional, reverse-chronological resume format. Your resume should focus on your career achievements, and the role you've played in successful projects and activities for your employers. Consult the job description for guidance on what to showcase, and provide evidence to support your claims.
If you're applying for senior IT manager positions, you'll want to list career achievements and successes that emphasize your senior status. Use a reverse-chronological format and add extra sections to show key career highlights. Senior resumes are often longer than resumes for junior roles. This is because you may choose to include extra sections, such as awards, professional memberships, publications, conferences or certifications on your resume.
While the content and format of your resume may vary depending on your experience levels, it's important to always include the following sections:
Resume Header
A IT manager resume header contains your name and contact information. Add your first and last name, your phone number and your email address. Include your address or location, but avoid adding any other personal information. If you have a LinkedIn profile, you can add the URL to your header so the hiring manager can get a better understanding of your work history and experience. Create a clear, well-structured header that acts as the headline of your resume. Use color accents and blocks to help this section stand out and catch the eye of the reader.
Only include professional, name-based email addresses in your resume header. If you have an old email address that uses nicknames, puns, references to your personal interests or anything else that could appear unprofessional, set up a new email just for your job applications. Finally, always double-check your contact details are correct and up-to-date before sending your resume.
Nathan Phillips
nathan.phillips@example.com
(111) 222 33 444 55
1313 Mockingbird Lane, Mockingbird Heights, CA
linkedin․com/in/nathan–phillips123
Resume Profile
Your resume personal profile is a short, concise paragraph to highlight two or three key skills and achievements in IT manager roles. You may also see this section named as 'resume summary' or 'resume objective'. Resume summaries tend to focus on your career experience, while resume objectives cover your ambitions and plans for the future. In addition, your objective should highlight why you're an ideal candidate for IT manager roles by showing key skills and qualities that reflect the job description.
Alternatively, use this section to emphasize your career objectives and explain how and why this role is a suitable step for you at this stage of your career.
A strong resume summary focuses on two or three key skills and achievements that showcase your suitability for IT manager roles in a clear, quantifiable way. It also gives an insight into your personal qualities, to help the reader understand why you're a suitable candidate. You can see some positive examples of a resume summary for IT manager jobs below.
Good example:
Highly skilled IT Manager with a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology Management and extensive experience in overseeing IT operations. Proven track record in managing IT infrastructure, ensuring system reliability, and optimizing performance. Adept at leading cross-functional teams, implementing IT policies, and driving technological improvements to support business goals. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a commitment to innovation and efficiency
Bad example:
IT manager with some experience in technology and managing systems. Worked in roles where I handled IT stuff and tried to keep things running smoothly. Have led teams and worked on improving tech processes to help the business. Focused on solving problems and trying to make things more efficient
On the other hand, an unsuccessful resume summary is one that mentions irrelevant skills, qualities and achievements and fails to differentiate you from other candidates. The graphic above shows some of the pitfalls to avoid when creating your resume summary.
Work Experience
Next, list your relevant employment history and any key achievements that show you're suitable for an IT manager position. Mention only the most appropriate and relevant jobs you've had in reverse-chronological order, starting with your most recent and working backwards. Add your job title, the name of the employer, the location of the role and your dates of employment.
In addition, include a few bullet points under each job, highlighting your key achievements so the hiring manager can see how they led to successful outcomes. Back up each point with evidence to show how you meet the job description.
The best resume work experience sections focus only on the most relevant previous jobs, and link each bullet point back to a skill or experience listed in the job description. It's also critical to provide evidence that shows the value you added to each role in a quantifiable way, such as project outcomes, key performance indicators or feedback from customers, colleagues or managers. See the examples below for some ideas of what a great resume work experience looks like.
Good example:
IT Operations Manager, January 2022 - Present
TechWave Solutions, Omaha
- Reduced IT infrastructure costs by 30% through strategic vendor negotiations and cloud service optimizations
- Implemented a comprehensive ITIL-based service management framework, improving incident response time by 40%
- Led a team to achieve 99.9% uptime for critical business applications over a 12-month period
Bad example:
IT Operations Manager, January 2022 - Present
TechWave Solutions, Omaha
- Managed IT projects to enhance system performance and efficiency
- Improved team collaboration to support business objectives
- Oversaw IT operations to ensure service reliability and user satisfaction
See above for some of the pitfalls to avoid with your resume work experience section. A poor resume work experience section would typically use vague descriptions of activities in previous jobs, while focusing too much on responsibilities rather than achievements. Failing to focus on the skills and experience that match the job description is likely to harm your chances of success.
Education
The education section provides space to list your highest and most recent academic achievements that are relevant to working as an IT manager.
Typically, working as an IT manager requires a university or college degree, which you'll need to list on your resume. If you're working in this sector, it's usually a good idea to highlight your Bachelor of Science in Information Technology degree or other relevant qualifications. Focus on qualifications that showcase your project management or network administration.
List your relevant qualifications in reverse-chronological order. Add the name and level of the award, the institution, its location (if this isn't obvious from the name) and your dates of study. You can enhance this section by adding bullet points that show any outstanding grades, awards or achievements and any specialist subjects you studied. These details can make you stand out from other candidates.
If you were a member of any clubs or societies, or volunteered for any causes while studying, you could also mention these in your education section.
Bachelor of Science in Information Technology Management, 2017 - 2020
University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI
Hard and Soft Skills
Listing your key skills can help to prove your suitability for IT manager jobs. These could be cybersecurity protocols, adaptability to change or various other relevant skills. Again, include any skills that match those listed in the job description. Focus particularly on technical skills required for IT manager jobs and transferable skills that show your qualities as an IT manager.
Showcasing hard skills on your IT manager resume
Hard skills are the key technical skills required for IT manager positions. They include specific industry knowledge and abilities that you could learn on the job, or through a specialist qualification. Furthermore, your list of hard skills provides a strong indication to the reader of your expertise in IT manager roles, and how well you'll fit into the position. If possible, add four or five hard skills that reflect the requirements of the job description. These will boost your chances of success in your applications.
Your resume hard skills list should reflect your unique and specific industry expertise and experience, while also fulfilling the requirements listed in the job description. See the examples below for an idea of what an effective IT manager resume hard skills list looks like.
- Project management
- Network administration
- Cloud computing
Showcasing your best soft skills
Soft skills are the personal skills and qualities that make you a good fit for the job. They include transferable skills and strengths that help you settle into the role, adapt to new challenges and build effective working relationships. Indeed, as the nature of work changes, soft skills are growing in importance, so make sure you include them in your resume. In this section, add four of five transferable skills that match the job description.
Your soft skills section should make the most of your unique personal qualities and strengths, while also reflecting the requirements laid out in the job description. See below for some examples of useful soft skills for an IT manager resume.
- Effective communication skills
- Problem-solving abilities
- Team leadership experience
Relevant Certifications and Licenses
Your certifications section is the place to mention any relevant professional IT manager certifications, licenses or qualifications. These could be official licenses required for the job or certifications that improve your employability. Therefore, add any necessary licenses and certifications in this section, along with valid dates so employers can see you're still qualified for the job.
Review the list below for some suitable certifications for an IT manager resume:
- PMP Certification, 2022
- ITIL Certification, 2022
- CISSP Certification, 2022
Expert Tip:
Optional Sections
There are several additional sections you could add to an IT manager resume, to improve your chances of success. Choose any optional sections that showcase essential or desirable skills or experience for IT manager jobs.
Hobbies and Interests
Adding your hobbies and interests is a legitimate way of showing off your skills and personal qualities. Your hobbies and interests are useful for an IT manager resume if you want to show a different side to your personality, or to stand out among other candidates. They can also be valuable if you're a junior candidate without much relevant work experience. If you're thinking about adding hobbies and interests, just make sure they add something unique to your application, and showcase your personality and interests in unique and interesting ways.
Volunteer Experience
This section can be valuable for an IT manager resume, if you've done any voluntary work that showcases your relevant skills. Add any voluntary roles, including your position, the name of the organization, the dates of your voluntary work and a brief explanation of your responsibilities and achievements.
References
Standard IT manager resumes don't tend to include references, but you might find them requested occasionally. Check the job advert to see if you'll need to add references to your resume. Include a maximum of three professional references, being sure to check with your referees before including them in your resume.
References can be provided upon request.
Best words to use in an IT manager resume
Using strong action words to make your resume resonate with the employer. The suggested action verbs below will help the reader to understand your key qualities and the impact you made on the organization.
- Manage
- Implement
- Coordinate
- Optimize
- Oversee
- Develop
- Strategize
- Lead
- Enhance
- Streamline
Jobseeker's resume templates were created by careers experts to help you produce a professional resume in minutes. You can also find cover letter templates to complete an eye-catching job application that gets you noticed.
Sample resume for IT manager positions
Now that you know everything that needs to go into your IT manager resume, let's review an example resume that you can use as a guide when creating your own:
1313 Mockingbird Lane, Mockingbird Heights, CA
•
nathan.phillips@example.com
•
(111) 222 33 444 55
•
linkedin․com/in/nathan–phillips123
Results-driven IT manager with a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology and extensive experience as an Information Technology Director. Proven track record of leading IT departments, implementing robust technology solutions, and optimizing systems to enhance operational efficiency. Skilled in strategic planning, project management, and team leadership with a focus on delivering innovative solutions that align with business goals. Demonstrated ability to manage budgets, oversee vendor relationships, and ensure compliance with industry standards and best practices
Information Technology Director
2020
-2022
TechWave Solutions (San Francisco)
- Led a $5M IT infrastructure overhaul, enhancing system reliability and reducing downtime by 40%
- Implemented a cybersecurity framework, decreasing security breaches by 60% within the first year
- Spearheaded a cloud migration project, resulting in a 30% reduction in operational costs and improved scalability
Bachelor of Science in Information Technology
2017
-2020
Marquette University (Milwaukee, WI)
Project management
Network administration
Cloud computing
Effective communication skills
Problem-solving abilities
Team leadership experience
PMP Certification
ITIL Certification
English - Fluent
Spanish - B2
Do's and don'ts of an IT manager resume
Key tips to help you craft a strong resume
- Quantify your career achievements by including evidence of your impact throughout your resume.
- Use strong verbs to help show the actions you've taken in different IT manager roles (e.g. enhance, streamline, manage).
- Add each relevant job in reverse-chronological order, beginning with your current or most recent position and working back from there.
- Include key skills throughout your resume that reflect the job description, and include a dedicated skills section.
- Make your IT manager resume short and to-the-point. A length of one page is ideal for junior roles, while two is acceptable for senior applications.
Avoid these common mistakes on your resume
- Don't use unnecessary jargon to try and impress the reader. It may have the opposite effect.
- Don't use overly complex formatting and layouts that can make your IT manager resume harder to read, and less scannable for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).
- Don't forget to keep your contact information up to date, to ensure the employer can contact you if necessary.
- Don't include personal details beyond your name, location and contact details. Adding your age, gender, nationality or a photo can create unwanted hiring bias.
- Don't mention hobbies or interests unless they help you prove a skill required for the role, that you haven't included elsewhere.
How to make an ATS-friendly resume
An applicant tracking system (ATS) is just one of the tools employers and recruiters can use to streamline their hiring practices. This typically includes screening candidates by scanning and ranking their resumes based on their likely suitability for any vacancy. When writing your IT manager resume, a few simple tips can help you pass the ATS stage with a higher-ranking resume, giving you a better chance of success with your applications.
Follow these simple rules when writing your resume, to make sure it's ATS compliant:
- Opt for an established, traditional resume format such as a reverse-chronological or functional structure. These will ensure your resume includes all the necessary details ATS systems scan for.
- Add keywords throughout your resume that help ATS software match your application to the job description. A higher match means your application is more likely to proceed to be reviewed by human eyes.
- Include clear headings that make it easy to identify each section of your resume. This will help any ATS software navigate your resume during the scanning process.
- Utilize a clean, clear resume design that helps make your content more readable. Use simple fonts and subtle color accents and design elements that don't detract from the written content.
- Use simple, concise language to keep your resume to a maximum of one to two pages in length. This will make it easier for ATS software to read.
If you need help creating a professional resume, take a look at our expert career articles and variety of resume examples created by careers experts.
An IT manager resume FAQs
After writing your IT manager resume, you'll want to write an accompanying cover letter that helps your application stand out.
Before you write your cover letter, think about whether you need a formal, professional letter or if a brief, less formal email might be more suitable.
For a full, traditional cover letter, follow formal letter-writing conventions with your header, address line and greetings. The main text of the letter tends to be split into three short paragraphs. Firstly, introduce yourself, confirm the role you're applying for and explain why you're applying for the IT manager role. In the second paragraph, highlight your skills and experience that are most relevant to the job description. The third paragraph gives you the opportunity to express your enthusiasm for the role and your gratitude to the employer, while leaving a call to action which encourages them to make contact with you.
Jobseeker's tried and tested cover letter templates were created by experts to help you make a strong impression with your applications. Follow the simple steps to create a winning cover letter today.
Writing an IT manager resume with no experience needn't be a daunting task. There are still plenty of ways to impress hiring managers with your resume. Select a resume format that emphasizes your skills and education over your work experience, such as a functional format. Utilize additional sections at the end of your resume to show you've got what it takes to do the job. These include hobbies and interests, voluntary roles, certifications and internships.
If you want to create a strong first impression in your IT manager application, a resume headline can help. A well-constructed resume headline can help your resume rank highly with ATS screening tools by referencing some of the key information from the job description. Take the time to draft a concise, eye-catching headline which includes the job title, one or two key skills and reference to either your experience level or track record.
You can use this example resume headline as a template for creating your own:
- Aspiring IT Manager with Potential
- Innovative IT Manager Driving Results
- Experienced IT Management Professional
The best format for your resume depends on two key factors. Firstly, the amount of relevant work experience you have. Secondly, the type of role and its level of seniority. For applicants without much relevant work experience, a functional resume format tends to be best. This places the emphasis on your key skills and relevant qualifications. If, however, you have experience in your chosen profession, a traditional, reverse chronological resume format might be the way to go. This showcases your relevant skills and achievements in your work experience section.
Takeaways for a winning IT manager resume
The best resumes focus on your skills and the value you've added to previous roles, rather than focusing on your duties and responsibilities. Select a resume format that suits your experience levels and the job you're applying for, and make sure you tailor your resume for each application.
HR-approved resume templates and other tools by Jobseeker are the easiest way to create a winning job application. Sign up and follow the simple instructions to complete a resume that stands out from the crowd. To make the best possible impression with your applications, write a cover letter with the help of Jobseeker. You can also find plenty of expert-designed cover letter examples for inspiration.
Sources:
(1) Tips for Writing a Federal Resume, U.S. Department of Labor: https://www.dol.gov/general/jobs/tips-for-writing-a-federal-resume
(2) Resume Tips, Duke University: https://careerhub.students.duke.edu/resources/resume-tips/
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