A common challenge faced by IT System Administrators when creating their resumes is effectively showcasing a wide range of technical skills and responsibilities in a succinct way. Our guide can assist in this challenge by offering clear strategies to highlight key technical competencies and experiences, prioritizing them strategically, and demonstrating how they have added value to past employers.
Enhance your application for the it system administrator role with our concise guide on how to:
- Format your it system administrator resume, ensuring a balance between professionalism and creativity, in line with best practices.
- Align your resume with the it system administrator job requirements by incorporating relevant industry keywords.
- Utilize distinct resume sections to highlight your skills and achievements, making a case for why you're the top pick for the it system administrator role.
- Draw from leading it system administrator resume examples to effectively tailor your experience.
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Styling your it system administrator resume: layout and format
Pondering the ideal length for your it system administrator resume? Experts suggest keeping it between one and two pages. Opt for the two-page format if you boast over a decade of pertinent experience. Moreover, the resume format you choose is pivotal in showcasing your experience. Consider the:
- Reverse-chronological resume format to spotlight your career journey;
- Functional skill-based resume format if you're light on experience but want to emphasize skills;
- Hybrid resume format to provide recruiters a comprehensive view of both your experience and skills.
Here are some additional tips for your it system administrator resume layout:
- Keep your headline straightforward: mention the job you're targeting, a notable certification abbreviation, or your professional specialty;
- Always customize your it system administrator resume for the specific role, aligning job requirements with your experience in various resume sections;
- After finalizing your resume, save it as a PDF (unless instructed otherwise) to maintain its readability and layout consistency.
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Pro tip
Make sure your resume is ATS compliant and catches the recruiters' attention by tailoring your experience to the specific job requirements. Quantify and highlight why you're the best candidate for the role on the first page of your resume.
To craft a compelling entry level system administrator resume, focus on these sections:
- A scannable header
- A snapshot of your professional persona, showcasing soft skills, achievements, and a summary or objective
- Skills that align with the job advert
- Quantifiable achievements in your experience section
- An education and technical skills section that underscores your proficiency with specific tools or software
What recruiters want to see on your resume:
- Technical Knowledge and Skills: Demonstrated competence in key areas such as system security, network administration, data management, and hardware and software troubleshooting are vital.
- Certifications: Professional certifications like Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate, CompTIA A+, or Cisco CCNA lend credibility to your skills and experience.
- Experience with Specific Systems and Software: Expertise in using the specific operating systems, databases, cloud platforms, or other software that the hiring company uses is a big plus.
- Problem-Solving Abilities: Evidence of effective problem-solving in real-life IT situations shows that you can handle the unpredictable issues that arise in system administration.
- Communication and Teamwork Skills: An ability to communicate technical information to non-technical staff, as well as work effectively within a team, is highly valued in this role.
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Writing your it system administrator resume experience
Here are some quick tips on how to curate your it system administrator professional experience:
- Always ensure that you quantify your achievements by implementing the Situation-Task-Action-Result framework;
- When writing each experience bullet, make sure you're using active voice;
- Stand out by including personal skills you've grown while at the job;
- Be specific about your professional experience - it's not enough to say you have great communication skills, but rather explain what your communication track record led to?
Wondering how other professionals in the industry are presenting their job-winning experience? Check out how these it system administrator professionals put some of these best practices into action:
- Managed and maintained a large-scale IT infrastructure for Company A, resulting in improved system reliability and reduced downtime by 30%.
- Implemented security measures to protect sensitive data, including firewall configurations, intrusion detection systems, and regular vulnerability assessments.
- Led a team of technicians in troubleshooting and resolving hardware and software issues, ensuring timely resolution and minimizing disruption to business operations.
- Deployed virtualization solutions using VMware, reducing server costs by 40% and improving overall system performance.
- Developed and implemented backup and disaster recovery strategies, resulting in 100% data retrieval during critical incidents.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to migrate on-premises servers to the cloud, optimizing scalability and reducing operational expenses by 20%.
- Administered Active Directory services, managing user accounts, group policies, and access controls for a user base of 500+.
- Coordinated the implementation of an enterprise-wide email system, enhancing communication efficiency and reducing reliance on external providers.
- Led the upgrade of network infrastructure, including routers, switches, and firewalls, resulting in a 50% improvement in network performance.
- Provided technical support to end-users, troubleshooting hardware and software issues and resolving them in a timely manner.
- Managed IT inventory and procurement, optimizing cost-efficiency by negotiating vendor contracts and sourcing competitive pricing.
- Implemented network monitoring tools, enabling proactive identification and resolution of potential network issues.
- Designed and implemented a scalable virtualization infrastructure using Hyper-V, resulting in improved resource utilization and reduced hardware costs.
- Developed and maintained cybersecurity policies and procedures, ensuring compliance with industry standards and protecting sensitive data.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to plan and execute the migration of legacy systems to modern cloud-based solutions.
- Performed system upgrades and patch management to ensure the security and stability of servers and workstations.
- Managed Active Directory user accounts, permissions, and group policies, streamlining access management processes.
- Coordinated disaster recovery drills and tested backup systems, ensuring business continuity in case of critical incidents.
- Configured and maintained enterprise-wide antivirus and anti-malware solutions, safeguarding the network against cyber threats.
- Implemented network segmentation and access controls, enhancing network security and preventing unauthorized access.
- Collaborated with software development teams to deploy and support custom applications, meeting business requirements and improving productivity.
- Managed and administered Microsoft Exchange servers, maintaining email services for a large organization with over 2,000 users.
- Implemented a centralized monitoring system, proactively identifying performance bottlenecks and resolving them to ensure optimal system performance.
- Led the migration of server infrastructure to a hybrid cloud environment, leveraging Azure and on-premises resources for improved scalability and flexibility.
- Provided technical guidance and training to junior IT staff, promoting professional growth and improving team efficiency.
- Developed and enforced IT policies and procedures, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and industry best practices.
- Successfully planned and executed the upgrade of Windows server environment, migrating from Windows Server 2008 to Windows Server 2012 resulting in enhanced performance and stability.
- Implemented automated configuration management using tools like Ansible and Puppet, reducing manual errors and streamlining system deployments.
- Performed regular vulnerability assessments and remediation activities, maintaining a secure infrastructure and protecting against potential cyber threats.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to plan and execute the implementation of a new data center, ensuring high availability and disaster recovery capabilities.
Quantifying impact on your resume
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Writing your it system administrator experience section without any real-world experience
Professionals, lacking experience, here's how to kick-start your it system administrator career:
- Substitute experience with relevant knowledge and skills, vital for the it system administrator role
- Highlight any relevant certifications and education - to showcase that you have the relevant technical training for the job
- Definitely include a professional portfolio of your work so far that could include university projects or ones you've done in your free time
- Have a big focus on your transferable skills to answer what further value you'd bring about as a candidate for the it system administrator job
- Include an objective to highlight how you see your professional growth, as part of the company
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Pro tip
Boost your resume by focusing on the practical aspects of each job requirement. While it's good to have job-related keywords on your resume, ensure they're backed by action verbs and quantifiable data. This gives recruiters a clear picture of your it system administrator professional journey.
Spotlighting your it system administrator hard and soft skills
Hard skills denote your technological proficiency and expertise in specific tools or software. These skills are often validated through certifications and hands-on experience.
Soft skills, on the other hand, reflect your interpersonal abilities and how you navigate workplace dynamics. These skills are cultivated over a lifetime and can be more nuanced.
Why the emphasis on both? Hard skills demonstrate your technical competence and reduce training needs. Soft skills suggest adaptability and cultural fit.
To optimize your skills section:
- Forego basic skills like "Excel" in favor of more specific proficiencies like "Excel Macros".
- Highlight core values and work ethics as soft skills, indicating what you prioritize in a professional setting.
- If relevant, create a distinct section for language proficiencies.
- Balance hard and soft skills by crafting a strengths or achievements section, illustrating outcomes achieved through both skill sets.
To assist you, we've curated a list of skills highly sought after by recruiters. Ensure you integrate those that resonate with your expertise and the prospective employer's needs:
Top skills for your it system administrator resume
Network Architecture and Administration
Database Management
System Security Protocols
Hardware and Software Troubleshooting
Cloud Computing
Virtualization Technologies
Operating Systems (Windows, Linux, macOS)
Disaster Recovery Planning
Programming/Scripting Languages (Python, Shell)
IT Service Management (ITSM)
Problem-Solving
Time Management
Communication Skills
Project Management
Teamwork and Collaboration
Adaptability
Critical Thinking
Attention to Detail
Decision-making
Leadership
Pro tip
Double-check the spelling of all skills and tools on your resume. Remember, software like the Applicant Tracker System (ATS) scans for these details.
Detailing your education and top it system administrator certifications on your resume
Your education section can reflect a variety of skills and experiences relevant to the position.
- List post-secondary qualifications, noting the institution and duration.
- If you're currently studying, mention your expected graduation date.
- Exclude qualifications unrelated to the role or industry.
- If relevant, delve into your educational background, especially if it was research-intensive.
Including both relevant education and certifications on your it system administrator resume can set you apart. It not only showcases your qualifications but also your commitment to the profession.
When listing these on your it system administrator resume, make sure to:
- Highlight degrees and certificates relevant to the role.
- Mention the awarding institution for credibility.
- Include the start and end dates, or if the education/certification is ongoing.
- If relevant, incorporate a few keywords from the job advert within the description of the certification or degree.
If you have additional certifications not directly related to the role, consider placing them towards the end of your resume. This way, they can be viewed as personal interests rather than core qualifications.
For a quick update, check out our list of popular it system administrator certifications curated by the Enhancv team.
Best certifications to list on your resume
- CompTIA A+ - CompTIA
- Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA) - Red Hat
- Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) - Cisco
- CompTIA Network+ - CompTIA
- AWS Certified SysOps Administrator – Associate - AWS
- VMware Certified Professional – Data Center Virtualization (VCP-DCV) - VMware
- Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) - (ISC)²
Pro tip
The reputation of the institution or organization granting your certification or degree can bolster your credibility. Prioritize recognized and respected credentials.
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Adding a summary or objective to your it system administrator resume
One of the most crucial elements of your professional presentation is your resume's top one-third.
This most often includes:
- Either a resume summary - your career highlights at a glance. Select the summary if you have plenty of relevant experience (and achievements), you'd like recruiters to remember about your application.
- Or, a resume objective - to showcase your determination for growth. The perfect choice for candidates with less experience, who are looking to grow their career in the field.
If you want to go above and beyond with your it system administrator resume summary or resume objective, make sure to answer precisely why recruiters need to hire you.
What is the additional value you'd provide to the company or organization?
Now here are examples from real-life it system administrator professionals, whose resumes have helped them land their dream jobs:
Resume summary and objective examples for a it system administrator resume
- With an impressive 10-year track record as an IT professional, adept at server setup, network troubleshooting, and system security enhancements. Demonstrated ability to manage complex projects, including a successful data center relocation for a Fortune 500 company. Exceptionally skilled in Linux, Apache, MySQL, and PHP (LAMP).
- Bringing forth a rich background in software development spanning 7 years, now seeking to leverage my programming prowess into a System Administrator role. Proficient in Python, C++, and Java, with a deep understanding of Unix-based systems. Well-versed in executing system updates and managing user accounts.
- Newly trained System Administrator driven by a lifelong passion for technology. Completed a Bachelor's degree in Information Technology and gained expertise in SQL, Unix/Linux, and cybersecurity practices during internships. Aiming to apply my knowledge and dedication to a challenging environment where I can help optimize system performance.
- Seasoned Network Engineer transitioning to a Systems Administrator role, bringing over 8 years of experience in designing, implementing, and maintaining high-performance networks. Skills include Cisco systems, TCP/IP protocols, and network security. Spearheaded the successful upgrade of a large-scale WAN architecture, improving efficiency by 35%.
- Ambitious Computer Science graduate aiming to utilize knowledge of programming languages, data structures, and algorithms in a System Administrator role. Eager to contribute to a team-oriented environment, employing my penchant for problem-solving and critical thinking skills to achieve optimal system functioning and user satisfaction.
- With a solid decade of experience in the IT industry as a Software Developer, I am now keen on applying my problem-solving abilities and technical skills, including proficiency in Python, Java, and SQL, towards ensuring efficient system administration. My career highlight includes leading a task force that improved software application stability by 40%.
Additional it system administrator resume sections for a personalized touch
To further personalize your it system administrator resume, consider adding sections that reflect your unique qualities and achievements.
Popular choices include:
- Projects to showcase significant work achievements.
- Languages to indicate proficiency levels.
- Awards to celebrate industry recognitions.
- Hobbies and Interests to share personal passions.
Key takeaways
- Pay special attention to the tiny details that make up your it system administrator resume formatting: the more tailored your application to the role is, the better your chances at success would be;
- Select the sections you include (summary or objective, etc.) and formatting (reverse-chronological, hybrid, etc.) based on your experience level;
- Select experience items and, consequently, achievements that showcase you in the best light and are relevant to the job;
- Your profile will be assessed both based on your technical capabilities and personality skills - curate those through your resume;
- Certifications and education showcase your dedication to the particular industry.
