Fantastic System Administrator Resume Examples
System administrators are important to the management of computer networks. Use our resume examples to show that you’re ready to take on the challenge.
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How To Write the Perfect System Administrator Resume Example
System administrators are very important to the installation and maintenance of computer systems. They can manage a company’s entire network infrastructure or set up new users’ computer systems.
System administrator work requires candidates with many high-level skills to manage complex networks. To give yourself the best chance of landing your new system administrator job, you need an excellent system administrator resume that shows off your experience and high-level skills.
What to Highlight in a System Administrator Resume
As a system administrator, you need to showcase your technical skills and confidence in managing both WAN and LAN networks. System administrators also need to show hiring managers that they understand information systems, IT infrastructure, servers, and more to fill the job description.
Structure of a System Administrator Resume
The structure of a system administrator resume depends on the resume format you choose. There are three resume formats: chronological, functional, and combination. Chronological resumes focus on employment history, and functional resumes focus on skills. Combination resumes are a mix of both formats that features strong skills and work history sections.
Whether you’re a recent graduate with little system administration experience or have many years of experience, your resume should contain a good mix of skills and certifications.
Contact information
The header section contains your contact information. This section presents your name, phone number, and email address. If you have a LinkedIn profile, include the link in your header.
Resume summary or objective
A resume summary or resume objective is a short 2-3 sentence paragraph that highlights your strengths. If you have years of experience in system administration, you should use a resume summary to highlight your most important achievements in previous roles. However, if you’re a recent graduate or going through a career change, you should use the resume objective to state your career goals.
Skills
This section is crucial for your resume, especially if you’re a graduate and lack professional experience. Your skills section should contain a combination of hard skills and soft skills. Hard skills are skills that allow system administrators to do their job. Soft skills are general people skills. Here’s examples of skills you can use in a system administrator resume:
- Problem-solving
- Network security
- Project management
- Troubleshooting
- Technical skills
- Knowledge of popular operating systems like Linux, Microsoft, and Unix
- Programming skills (JavaScript and PHP)
- Network administration (Active Directory)
- Disaster recovery
- System monitoring
- Systems upgrades
- Windows
- VMware Virtualization
- Optimization
- Knowledge of firewalls and network security
- Use of Linux Red Hat
- Experience using Domain Name System (DNS)
- Client-server protocol DHCP
- Amazon Web Services (AWS)
- Routers
- Communication
- Teamwork
Work experience
The work experience section acts as a record of your work history in information technology. Candidates typically need experience as a junior system administrator or experience using Microsoft Windows systems, Linux, Oracle, and other operating systems. So your work experience section may be the most important section of your professional resume.
If you have relevant experience in another system admin role such as IT helpdesk, or working with VOIP, VPNs, or Windows servers, you can also include this information.
List your work history in reverse-chronological order, starting from the most recent job. This provides the hiring manager with the most up-to-date information at the top of your resume. You should also include the company name, job title, location, and the dates you worked there.
Education
List your highest academic credential here. Employers are likely to look for candidates with a bachelor’s degree in computer science, computer engineering, software, and other related fields. So it’s important to include this information in your education section.
You can also grab the hiring manager or recruiter’s attention by providing information about your certifications, such as a Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) or Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) certifications. Be sure to list all your relevant certifications.
Also, be aware that you won’t need to include your high school GPA in this section.
Do’s and Don’ts for a System Administrator Resume
- Review the job posting. Get a good grasp of the types of skills and experience the employer is looking for, and then tailor your resume to address these needs.
- Use example system administrator resume samples. ResumeHelp has hundreds of resume examples you can use to get ideas for your resume.
- Proofread your resume. This will ensure you don’t include any spelling, punctuation, or grammatical errors.
- Write your resume without a resume builder. A resume builder can help you create your system administrator resume quickly and easily, with the help of expert job-specific suggestions.
- List lots of irrelevant employment experience. This might clutter your resume and discourage the hiring manager from reading it.
- Go into too much detail. You’ll notice that most resume templates will only have a few short sentences for each job. Adding more than that will make your resume too long and you risk losing the hiring manager’s attention.
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FAQ: System Administrator Resume Example
Have questions? We’re here to help.
What are the qualifications of an entry-level system administrator?
If you’re looking for a junior-level systems administrator role, you might need a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related subject. Certifications are a great way to learn the trade. Certificates like Microsoft 365 and CompTIA A+ show hiring managers that you have the knowledge and skills to manage operating systems.
Should I use a cover letter with my application?
Yes. Always include a cover letter with your application. Cover letters allow you to go into greater depth about why you are the best candidate for a system administrator role. With a cover letter, you can market yourself and make a great first impression with an employer, explaining how some of your best skills can benefit the business.
Can I use a resume template for inspiration?
Yes! When creating your resume, using a resume template is a great way to get started. You can also use it for ideas if you’re struggling to find ways to frame your skills and work experience. Templates are also great for font, formatting, and design ideas if you’re unsure how to present a professional resume.
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