Network Administrator Resume Example
Starting a career as a network administrator gives you the chance to gain experience in managing network infrastructure and monitoring network performance. A professional resume for network administrator applications will showcase your relevant skills and career achievements, to help you stand out from the crowd. In this article, we'll outline how to write a winning resume to boost your chances of success in your network administrator applications.
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 network administrator applications. You'll find valuable tips on writing a resume that best showcases your unique skills and achievements. There is also extensive guidance on how to structure your resume to match the job description, and to reflect your experience levels to impress HR specialists and employers. Read on to learn the tips Jobseeker careers experts recommend as the best for your network administrator resume.
Key sections for a network administrator resume
Although the content of a network administrator resume may differ according to your experience and seniority, the main sections will remain the same.
For junior and entry-level network administrator positions, you may be short on work experience to include in your resume. Select a resume layout that emphasizes your skills and qualifications, such as a functional format. Draw attention to your soft and transferable skills, as employers will value these highly for entry-level roles. You could also mention any internships, training or volunteer work that helps you showcase skills relevant to the position.
If you're already working as a network administrator, concentrate on proving your credentials with your work achievements. Use a reverse-chronological resume format to place work experience prominently in your resume. By using this resume format you can focus on showing how your experience has helped you develop the required skills for the job. Review the job description to understand which key skills and experience to focus on.
Senior job applications require a slightly different approach to mid-level or junior network administrator roles. Use a reverse-chronological format focusing on your work experience, with a particular emphasis on the impact you've made. It's likely that your senior resume will be longer than a standard resume of one-to-two pages. This is because you'll be listing additional achievements beyond your work experience, such as awards, publications and professional memberships.
Your resume layout and structure may differ depending on your experience levels, but make sure your resume includes the following:
Resume Header
Your network administrator resume header is the place to add your contact details. Start by adding your full name and underneath, include your email address, phone number and location. Adding your LinkedIn profile, if you have one, can help the employer get a better insight into your skills and industry expertise. You don't need to include any additional personal information or a photo. Be aware of the amount of space your resume header takes up. You don't want your contact details to take space away from the main content of your resume, so keep this section as brief as possible.
Use an email address that's professional and appropriate for professional communication. Typically this would be an email address based on your first and last name, or your initials. If necessary, you could include your profession or another unique identifier. Avoid using old email addresses that could be considered unprofessional or inappropriate. Additionally, always check your contact details before sending your resume to ensure they're up-to-date.
Steven Richardson
steven.richardson@example.com
(111) 222 33 444 55
12 Grimmauld Place, Brooklyn, NY
linkedin․com/in/steven–richardson123
Resume Summary
Your resume personal profile is a short, concise paragraph to highlight two or three key skills and achievements in network administrator 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. Additionally, make sure your resume summary reflects the job description and focuses on qualities that are relevant to working as a network administrator.
Alternatively, use this summary to introduce your personal career ambitions and explain why network administrator roles are a good fit for you at this stage of your career.
A good resume summary reflects the job description and highlights some of the key skills required for network administrator roles, while leaving the reader with an impression of your unique qualities and strengths. The most effective resume summaries also provide evidence to back up the claims made in them. See below for some great examples of how to approach your network administrator resume.
Good example:
Experienced Network Administrator with a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology. Former IT Infrastructure Specialist with a proven track record in managing and maintaining network systems, ensuring optimal performance and security. Skilled in configuring routers, switches, firewalls, and VPNs, and adept at troubleshooting and resolving network issues. Strong knowledge of network protocols, system administration, and IT infrastructure. Excellent problem-solving skills and a commitment to maintaining high standards of network reliability and efficiency
Bad example:
Network administrator with some experience in technology and managing systems. Worked in roles where I handled network equipment and addressed issues. Familiar with various network tools and protocols. Focused on keeping systems running smoothly and solving problems when they arise. Committed to maintaining network performance and security
Conversely, a bad resume summary might be too generic, lacking focus on the specifics of the job description. It will also fail to provide any useful insights on what makes you a unique candidate. The visual above includes some examples of what not to do with your network administrator resume summary
Work History
In the next section, list your employment history focusing on the most relevant previous roles and achievements that showcase your network administrator skills. For each entry, list the job title, the name of the employer, its location and the dates you worked there. Add each job in reverse-chronological order, starting with your current or most recent role.
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.
A good work experience section pulls the reader in with clear examples of where you've put the skills necessary for the job into good use in your career to date. This typically includes evidence of how your skills and activities contributed to positive outcomes for the organization. See below for some good examples of what to include in your resume work experience section.
Good example:
IT Infrastructure Specialist, January 2022 - Present
CyberShield Technologies, Greensboro
- Successfully managed and optimized network infrastructure, improving system performance and reducing downtime by 30%
- Led a cross-functional team to implement a cloud migration project, achieving a 25% cost reduction
- Automated routine IT maintenance tasks, increasing efficiency and reducing manual workload by 40%
Bad example:
IT Infrastructure Specialist, January 2022 - Present
CyberShield Technologies, Greensboro
- Managed network systems to enhance performance and reduce issues
- Led team to implement cloud solutions, achieving cost savings
- Automated IT tasks to boost efficiency and reduce workload
See above for some of the pitfalls to avoid with your resume work experience section. A bad resume work experience section might fail to address skills and achievements that relate directly to the job description. Falling back on clichés, vague descriptions and basic responsibilities, rather than showing the impact you made, is likely to disengage the reader.
Education and Qualifications
In this section list any educational qualifications or degrees that are relevant to network administrator roles.
Opportunities as a network administrator and similar roles in the sector usually require a specialist degree. If you have a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology degree, be sure to mention this in your resume. You might also want to list any qualifications that highlight your wireless network optimization or network configuration management.
For each entry in this section, add the name and level of your qualification, the institution you studied at, its location and your dates of study. Include bullet points to show any specialist modules you studied, awards or exceptional grades and achievements that can set you apart from other candidates. These will all contribute to creating a positive impression on employers.
If you took part in any volunteering or you were a leader or member of any university societies, you could also mention these in your education section.
Bachelor of Science in Information Technology, 2017 - 2020
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas
Skills
Adding a list of your key skills provides a quick reference for the reader of what you can bring to a network administrator role. Skills such as network configuration management or troubleshooting and diagnostics are particularly useful for network administrator jobs. Once more, review the job description and pick out any key network administrator skills listed that match yours. Focus on these skills and any other key transferable skills that make you a strong candidate for the job.
Highlighting your hard skills
In your hard skills list, include any specific abilities related to the role you're applying for. These could be technical skills or industry knowledge that showcases your expertise in your chosen profession. Furthermore, it's important to show these skills in a network administrator resume as they provide a strong indication of your experience in the sector. Aim to include four or five key hard skills. If you have space, explain how and where you've used that skill to create successful outcomes in your career. These skills will demonstrate your credentials and show how you meet the job description.
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 network administrator resume hard skills list looks like.
- Network configuration management
- Firewall security protocols
- TCP/IP troubleshooting
How to list soft skills on your network administrator resume
Soft skills are your transferable skills and personal qualities that make you a good match for a network administrator position and the organization. Soft skills tend to be more universal than hard skills, and can often apply to multiple jobs and industries. Indeed, as the nature of work changes, soft skills are growing in importance, so make sure you include them in your resume. It's best to aim for four or five soft skills that match the job description and reflect your strongest personal qualities.
The strongest resume soft skills sections include a mix of skills that match your best personal strengths, and that reflect the skills listed in the job description. See below for some examples of effective soft skills for a network administrator resume.
- Troubleshooting and diagnostics
- Effective communication skills
- Attention to detail
Relevant Certifications and Licenses
Your certifications section is the place to mention any relevant professional network administrator certifications, licenses or qualifications. You could list accreditations for certain professional roles or licenses for certain activities that help to make you a strong candidate. Therefore, add any professional licenses or certifications, along with valid dates that show they're still valid.
Below you can find several examples of certifications for a network administrator resume:
- Cisco CCNA, 2022
- CompTIA Network+, 2022
- Cisco CCNP, 2022
Resume tip:
Optional Information
As well as the main sections of a network administrator resume, optional sections can help you prove your credentials to employers. Choose any optional sections that showcase essential or desirable skills or experience for network administrator jobs.
Hobbies and Interests
Adding your hobbies and interests is a legitimate way of showing off your skills and personal qualities. They also help to show a different side of your personality, and can help your resume create a more memorable impression on hiring managers. If you're short on real world work experience, hobbies and interests can be a useful way of providing more information about your qualities. Just make sure any hobbies and interests you include in your resume add genuine insight into your personality, in ways other sections of the resume can't.
Voluntary Work
Listing volunteer work is another useful way to prove your relevant experience for network administrator roles. List your volunteer job title, the organization you volunteered for, its location and the dates of your involvement, alongside a brief explanation of your responsibilities in the role.
References
References aren't a standard network administrator resume section, but employers do sometimes ask for them. Check the job advert and only include them if requested. Include a maximum of three professional references, being sure to check with your referees before including them in your resume.
Please contact me for a list of references.
Best words to use in a network administrator resume
Using strong action words to make your resume resonate with the employer. Add strong verbs from the list below to create a greater impact with your work experience section.
- Configure
- Monitor
- Troubleshoot
- Optimize
- Implement
- Secure
- Manage
- Update
- Design
- Maintain
If you need help creating a resume that impresses HR managers, take a look at Jobseeker's professional resume templates. You can also access beautiful cover letter templates that help your application stand out.
Example resume for network administrator applications
Now that you know everything that needs to go into your network administrator resume, let's review an example resume that you can use as a guide when creating your own:
12 Grimmauld Place, Brooklyn, NY
•
steven.richardson@example.com
•
(111) 222 33 444 55
•
linkedin․com/in/steven–richardson123
Experienced Network Administrator with a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology. Previously served as a Network Systems Manager, demonstrating expertise in network configuration, infrastructure management, and system security. Proven ability to optimize network performance, implement robust security protocols, and manage complex IT projects. Skilled in troubleshooting, network monitoring, and maintaining high availability of critical systems. Strong leadership and team collaboration skills, ensuring seamless communication and operational efficiency across IT departments
Network Systems Manager
2020
-2022
TechWave Solutions (Lincoln)
- Led a team to design and implement a company-wide network upgrade, improving performance by 40% and reducing downtime
- Successfully integrated cloud services, enhancing scalability and reducing operational costs by 30% within the first year
- Developed and enforced robust cybersecurity protocols, resulting in a 50% decrease in security incidents and improved compliance
Bachelor of Science in Information Technology
2017
-2020
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) (Los Angeles, CA)
Network configuration management
Firewall security protocols
TCP/IP troubleshooting
Troubleshooting and diagnostics
Effective communication skills
Attention to detail
Cisco CCNA
CompTIA Network+
English - Fluent
Spanish - B2
Best practices for a network administrator resume
Tips for best resume practices
- Reference your key qualifications and educational achievements, including grades if these help you stand out from other candidates.
- Use a professional resume format with clear headings, a defined structure and consistent margins for optimum readability.
- Quantify your successes by providing figures and other evidence that shows how your skills have made a difference to your employer.
- Order your work experience in a reverse-chronological timeline, starting with your most recent position.
- Read your resume carefully before sending it, to avoid errors that could prove costly to your chances.
Pitfalls to avoid with your resume writing
- Don't include hobbies unless they help you prove a skill or experience that's necessary for the job.
- Don't list unrelated work experience unless you can show you used skills that are valuable to the job you're applying for.
- Don't use an email address with offensive, funny or casual connotations. Instead, create a professional email address based on your name.
- Don't lie or exaggerate on your network administrator resume, as this can create false expectations in employers and harm you in the future.
- Don't forget to keep your contact information up to date, to ensure the employer can contact you if necessary.
Tips on creating an ATS-optimized resume
Applicant tracking systems (ATS) help recruiters and employers to streamline their hiring process. They can store and process data, including applications and applicant data, quickly and efficiently. One of the jobs ATS applications are increasingly responsible for is initial candidate screening. The systems can quickly scan and rank resumes based on how closely they match the job description. When you're writing your network administrator resume, there are several things you can do to make sure your resume stands the best chance of passing the ATS stage.
Create an ATS-optimized resume by following these quick tips:
- Use a traditional resume format, such as reverse-chronological or functional. These will give your resume a structure that's easier for ATS systems to scan.
- Use of job description keywords throughout your resume will help it rank higher in the ATS scanning stage, as it will more closely match the requirements laid out in the job description.
- Include clear headings in each section that match the traditional resume structure and format. This will make it easier for the ATS software to scan your resume.
- Use a resume design that includes clean, professional design elements to give your content space to breathe. This might include clear, readable fonts, subtle color accents and simple design elements.
- Make sure your resume is as concise as possible, so ATS applications can easily scan and identify the required details.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions about a network administrator resume
As well as writing a professional network administrator resume, you'll need a cover letter to introduce yourself and emphasize your credentials.
Check the job description to see whether a full, formal cover letter is necessary. In some situations, it might be more suitable to simply send a brief email to introduce yourself and accompany your resume.
A traditional cover letter should follow formal letter-writing conventions and structure, including a header, the recipient's address and professional greetings and sign-offs. For the main body of the letter, open with a short paragraph introducing yourself and explaining your reasons for applying for the network administrator role. Follow that with an explanation of your skills and experience and how they're relevant to the position. Close by expressing your gratitude and enthusiasm, and leaving a call to action that encourages the employer to open a dialogue with you.
For help creating an eye-catching cover letter that impresses recruiters and hiring managers, use Jobseeker's professional cover letter templates.
Even if you have little or no relevant work experience, it's still possible to write a network administrator resume that makes a strong impression on employers. 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.
A strong resume headline can give the reader an immediate idea of your suitability for network administrator jobs. A well-written resume headline is also a way to increase your chances of passing the ATS resume scanning stage, by referencing keywords that match the job description. Write a few words to set the tone for your resume, including the job title, your experience or track record and one or two key skills that make you stand out.
Below you can see a resume headline example:
- Junior Network Administrator Seeking Opportunities
- Expert Network Infrastructure Specialist
- Seasoned Network Infrastructure Specialist
The resume format that gives you the best chances of success depends on your experience levels, as well as the type of job you're applying for and its seniority level. If you don't have much experience, for example if you're applying for a graduate role or changing careers, you might consider a functional resume format. This focuses on your skills and education above your work experience. Once you have some relevant work experience, and for senior positions, a reverse chronological resume format is typically best. This emphasizes your work experience, which will probably be the key thing employers want to know about.
Key takeaways for your network administrator 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. Choose a resume structure that makes the most of your relevant experience, whether through work or other activities, and be sure to tailor your resume to match the job description.
Using the professional resume templates and resources of Jobseeker can help you create a great-looking resume that stands out from other applicants. Sign up today and follow the simple steps to get started. Jobseeker's expert-designed cover letter generator can help your applications make a strong first impression on hiring managers. Find detailed cover letter examples to complement your resume and get your application noticed.
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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