Top Cisco Network Engineer sections that make the best resume
- Header
- Professional summary
- Experience (with numbers & results)
- Relevant skills
- Education
- Certifications
How to craft the perfect Cisco Network Engineer resume experience section
Cisco Network Engineer Resume Experience Section Checklist:
- Use at least 3 and no more than 7 bullet points per position;
- Make your experience sound relevant to what you’re applying for;
- Combine responsibilities, results, and critical situations that you’ve handled well;
- Show that you’re willing to take up on challenges;
- Include numbers in any form you like.
Check out the examples below when building your experience section. They will help you stand out!
- Reduced network downtime by 20% by implementing proactive network monitoring tools
- Optimized network performance by configuring VPC and VRF on Cisco Nexus switches
- Successfully deployed and configured Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) for user authentication and network access control
- Implemented Quality of Service (QoS) policies on Cisco ASR Routers, improving network traffic prioritization
- Collaborated with the security team to configure and manage Cisco ASA Firewalls and FirePOWER to protect against security threats
- Led the migration of Juniper SRX firewalls to clustered and un-clustered configurations, resulting in improved network scalability
- Implemented F5 BIG-IP load balancers - LTM, AFM & DNS for efficient traffic distribution and failover mechanisms
- Resolved 90% of network issues within SLA timeframes
- Improved network performance by optimizing TCP/IP settings on routers and switches
- Collaborated with the security team to configure and manage Palo Alto firewalls to protect against security threats
- Implemented network segmentation using VLANs to improve network security and reduce broadcast traffic
- Assisted in the deployment and configuration of Microsoft Azure ExpressRoute to provide secure and reliable connectivity to cloud services
- Developed and maintained network documentation including network diagrams and standard operating procedures
- Reduced network downtime by 20% through proactive monitoring and timely troubleshooting.
- Designed and implemented an MPLS/VPLS network, reducing latency by 30% and improving application performance.
- Led a team of engineers in the successful implementation of a new Palo Alto firewall, improving network security posture and compliance with industry standards.
- Managed relationships with third-party vendors and negotiated contracts resulting in a 10% cost savings.
- Maintained network uptime of 99.99% by performing regular firmware updates and security patches.
- Implemented EIGRP and OSPF routing protocols, reducing network complexity and improving stability.
- Improved network security by deploying Cisco ASA firewalls with FirePOWER and conducting regular vulnerability assessments.
- Provided third-line support for network issues, resolving 95% of incidents within SLA targets.
- Reduced network downtime by 15% by implementing redundant links and improving network resilience.
- Implemented wireless standards and provided coverage for 95% of the site, improving employee productivity and operational efficiency.
PRO TIP
Check the Cisco Network Engineer job description for inspiration. Look for similarities between your employer’s values and your experience.
Action Verbs for your Cisco Network Engineer Resume
Recommended reads:
The Best Way to Write Your Cisco Network Engineer Resume’s Skills Section
Cisco Network Engineer resume: skills section checklist
- Scan the job advert for keywords worth including in your resume;
- List both hard and transferable skills;
- Leave room for discussion: include some of your skills in other sections of your resume;
- Focus on skills that prove your expertise and leave the irrelevant ones behind.
Top skills for your cisco network engineer resume
Routing and switching
Network security
Wireless networking
TCP/IP
Cisco IOS
VPN technologies
Network troubleshooting
Cisco ASA
Spanning tree protocol
Network automation
Communication
Teamwork
Problem-solving
Time management
Leadership
Adaptability
Attention to detail
Critical thinking
Customer service
Project management
PRO TIP
When describing your experience, don’t go too far from its terminology. Recruiters use ATS systems to filter resumes based on them having certain keywords, so make sure you use at least a few keywords mentioned in the job description.
Recommended reads:
Cisco Network Engineer resume header: tips, red flags, and best practices
Checklist: Writing a resume summary that makes you stand out
- Keep it short and use well-structured sentences;
- Mention your total years of experience in the field and your #1 achievement;
- Highlight your strengths and relevant skills;
- Add keywords from the company’s website or the job description.
Resume summary formula:
PRO TIP
Highlight specific past projects that you’re most proud of in your summary. It sets an excellent tone for the rest of your resume. You can talk about all of your former jobs in your work experience section later on.
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Choosing the Right Format for Your Cisco Network Engineer Resume
In general, there are three basic formats for your resume:
- Reverse-chronological resume format;
- Functional skills-based resume format;
- Combination (or Hybrid) resume format.
Some things to consider when choosing the right format for your Cisco Network Engineer resume include the stage of your career, whether you have all the right skills required for the job or are looking for an industry change, and what field you’re looking to grow in.
The reverse-chronological resume format is the most common one. It lets you describe your most recent job and then move backward. This makes it great for people who have around or less than 10 years of experience and are looking to highlight only their work-related skills and qualities.
If you’re just starting your career journey and reverse-chronological resumes sound too demanding, go for the functional resume format. It’s ideal for showcasing your strengths, personal qualities, skills, education, and the courses you’ve taken, without putting too much pressure on experience and expertise.
Don’t worry if neither of these sounds suitable for you – the hybrid or combination resume format will surely match your needs. It’s similar to the reverse-chronological, but with a catchy twist. Combination or hybrid resumes are great for showcasing both your experience and work-related skills and your personal qualities. Add a “What my day looks like” section for enhancing the jaw-dropping experience!
Looking for ways to perfect your Cisco Network Engineer resume layout and style?
- Don’t risk it: choose standard 1-inch resume margins;
- Go for traditional resume fonts (sized 10-12p);
- Match the length of your Cisco Network Engineer resume with your years of experience – choose a one-page template if you’ve got less than 10 years of experience; otherwise, opt for a two-page resume;
- To be on the safe side, save your resume in PDF. This will help you avoid formatting issues and unauthorized editing.
