Cyber Security Resume Sample, Template, Skills, & Guide

Resources for Your Next Career Move

Explore our complete resume examples selection for tips and resources tailored to every career path.

Jobs that can use a cyber security resume

Cyber security (CS) is a broad field that can include jobs in everything from programmers to law enforcement. Some common cyber security job titles you might see include:

• Network security analyst
• Information security specialist
• Information technology or IT security manager
• Cyber security engineer
• Cryptanalyst
• Antivirus developer

Eight tips to build a cyber security resume

These eight tips will help you create the perfect resume for any cyber security job:

1. Design your resume with ATS in mind.

A hiring manager will often use an applicant tracking system (ATS). An ATS screens job seekers’ resumes based on factors such as:

• Keywords
• Resume format

Create a resume that passes ATS by looking over the job description for key skills and requirements you should feature in your own resume, will often give you the guidelines to follow to ensure you pass ATS.

1. Make it easy for recruiters to call you for an interview.

You should always include basic contact information on the header of your resume so the hiring manager can get in touch with you. For cyber security, you can also show a website or link to a portfolio that displays your technical skills. Your contact information should include:

• Full name
• Professional title
• Email address
• Phone number
• Physical address
• Professional website or online portfolio

3. Write a great resume summary or objective.

What’s the difference between a summary for a resume and an objective for a resume? A resume summary is a short statement about the work you have done in the past. A resume objective describes your goals for the job if you get hired. Which one you choose to use can depend on how many years of experience you have in the industry already. Cyber Security Resume Objective Example: Motivated cyber security specialist and detail-oriented worker. Interested in a cryptanalyst position with XYZ company in order to hone my skills further and contribute my skill set to a winning team.

4. Focus on your skillset.

Cyber security focuses on hard skills more than soft skills, which is not to say that soft skills such as attention to detail and collaboration aren’t important. Here’s some of the skills and specialties you should consider featuring in your resume:

• Linux
• Python
• Penetration testing
• Intrusion detection
• Automation
• Firewalls
• Malware analysis

5. Use action verbs to show ownership of your responsibilities.

Use bullet points to make your work experience section easy to read. Use action verbs to describe your responsibilities. Action verbs convey a sense of mastery to the reader. Use words like analyzed, coordinated, or engineered instead of “worked with” or “responsible for.”

6. List your most current and relevant education.

When writing the education section of your resume, make sure to include:

• Bachelor’s degree or highest level of education completed
• If your degree is unrelated to computer science, then list any relevant coursework. For example, Network Forensics
• Any ongoing training or courses you are taking in cyber security

There is no need to note your high school diploma unless that is your most recent accomplishment. 

7. Achievements and awards can put you ahead of the competition.

Achievements and awards can impress the hiring manager. Types of awards you may have include:

• Professional awards
• Scholarships and academic awards
• Awards for community service or volunteer work
• Security clearances

8. Certifications

Additional certifications can elevate your career. Some common certifications for cyber security include:

• CISSP
• Information systems
• Ethical hacking
• GCIH

Resume format examples you can use

The format of your resume, or how it’s organized, impacts what information the hiring manager will focus on. ResumeHelp’s resume builder can help you format your resume in just minutes. For more tips on what format to choose, check out our overviews on each format:

1. Reverse-chronological resume format
2. Functional resume format
3. Combination resume format