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Picture this: you just found a $100 bill. What's even better? Earning that much per hour as a network administrator (plus benefits, profit sharing, and free food). Those jobs exist, but it takes a rare network administrator resume to bag them. It has to show you’re a true IT system wiz.
Good news: you'll see an ideal resume for network administrator positions in a second. In less than 5 minutes, you'll know how to write one yourself.
This guide will show you:
A network administrator resume example better than 9 out of 10 other resumes.
How to write a network administrator resume that lands more interviews.
Tips and examples of how to put skills and achievements on a network administrator resume.
How to describe your experience on a resume for a network administrator to get any job you want.
Want to save time and have your resume ready in 5 minutes? Try our resume builder. It’s fast and easy to use. Plus, you’ll get ready-made content to add with one click. See 20+ resume templates and create your resume here.
The old advice says, "Don't submit network administrator resume PDFs."
That's legacy wisdom, from back when PDFs weren't machine readable. Today, they're fine unless the network administrator job description says otherwise.
Pro Tip: How long should a resume be for a network admin? A one-page resume is usually best. If you've got a ton of experience and need to show it, go longer.
Let's say you had to pick from these two network admin resume samples:
wrong
Experienced network administrator with expert skills in Windows 12 network management and cloud security. Have worked as a network admin for two major companies.
That's not exactly "all your base are belong to us," but it won't drench you in interviews either.
Do it like this IT network administrator resume summary instead:
right
Expert network administrator and CCNA with 6+ years experience, seeking to leverage proven Cisco skills to grow ROI at Colby-AG Medical. Managed 50+ servers in a Windows 2012 system with 99.9% uptime. Lowered vulnerabilities 35%. Cut down on tickets 30%. Improved network performance 20% via monitoring and application prioritization.
You'd better polish your interview shoes, because you'll be needing them.
When making a resume in our builder, drag & drop bullet points, skills, and auto-fill the boring stuff. Spell check? Check. Start building a professional resume template here for free.
The experts used to say, "then write a resume objective!"
It works by showing passion. Moxie. Chutzpah!
But it works better if you add achievements.
wrong
Entry-level network administrator. Haven't held any network administrator jobs so far, but I did very well in all my associate's degree classes (see education section).
Wow. 500 Internal Server Error, right?
But plug in a few details, and your entry-level network admin resume can start like this:
right
Energetic network administrator seeking to boost ROI at Colby-AG Medical. Have worked several freelance network administrator jobs. Set up local Windows networks for a small medical firm and an insurance business. Completed work under budget for both time and cost.
Zap! The hiring manager is reading your email address.
But wait, how did a noob get that kind of system admin experience?
I'll show that next.
Pro Tip: Don't have a lot of experience? Consider getting a CCNA certification from Cisco. It'll port you ahead of all the other entry-level network administrator resumes.
Put the right accomplishments in your network administrator resume summary or resume objective. You'll get more interviews. See our guides:
Look at the first of these senior network administrator resume samples:
right
Summit Lane Insurance
Network Administrator
2015-2018
Network administrator for a Windows 2012 server environment with 50+ servers. Managed all Cisco equipment and appliances.
Implemented MAC address filtering and VLANs to lower vulnerabilities by 35%.
Improved network performance 20% through monitoring and app prioritization.
Wrote scripts to create automatic updating procedure for all key system components. Recouped 10% of administrator work time.
The hiring manager just spilled coffee on her copy of Network Warrior. Your A+ network admin resume just rocked her world.
But don't do this:
wrong
Summit Lane Insurance
Network Administrator
2015-2018
Network admin for a Windows environment.
Used MAC address filtering and VLANs.
Installed monitoring and application prioritization.
Wrote scripts to create automatic updating procedures.
All blah and no bandwidth. Like an active hub that's gone inactive.
Accomplishments are critical.
Don't have them? Peek at the next two junior network administrator resume examples.
How to Write a Resume for a Network Administrator with no Experience
First the bad news:
Nobody will make you the head network administrator with no experience.
The good news?
You can up your entry-level game. Just add experience to your junior network administrator resume.
Where can you get experience if you don't have it?
Take a few short-term freelance network administrator jobs. Small companies need network help, especially when setting up.
Ping local NOCs to see if they need help.
Sign up as a student admin with your school's IT department.
Sift through previous jobs to see if you've filled network admin duties. Did you install upgrades, add users, or reset routers? Those are network admin tasks. You can list them on a resume for a network administrator.
You can even make your own test environment and add that as a bullet point.
The next two jr. network administrator resume examples show how.
Two Network Administrator Resume Samples [No Experience]
This first sample network administrators resume is offline:
wrong
Network Administrator Experience: None yet but I am a really hard worker.
Other Experience:
Car wash attendant
Resident assistant
Argh. System crash.
But install a few details, and you're up and running with a system administrator resume like this:
right
Network Administrator Experience
2015.07 - 2018.01
Set up a local Windows 2012 network for a small medical business with multiple printers and computers, including remote access for employees and patients.
Designed and set up a Windows 2008 wireless network for a small insurance sales business. Completed job 10% under budget and before deadline.
Worked as fill-in network assistant at Robert Morris University. Commended by management for efficiency and attitude.
At Cheery-B's restaurant, was the go-to for adding users, installing equipment, software, and upgrades, and resetting passwords.
Nice. You're an accidental administrator.
What achievements can you put in a Windows network administrator resume like that?
Pro Tip: Can't find entry-level network admin resume experience? Hunt for freelance work online. Small companies often need help with even simple networking tasks.
4. Is Your Education Section Crashing? It Might Be
The system admin world is littered with big degrees that don't amount to much.
Your network administrator resume must show your education isn't just a piece of paper.
Start with:
College Name and Location.
Years in School.
Degree.
Then read the job description carefully. Find school accomplishments that link to it as if by TCP/IP.
Exhibit A? These computer network administration resume examples:
Network Administrator Resume Examples [Education]
See these two sample network administrator resume sections? They target a position that values Cisco, security, and leadership.
right
BS in Network Administration
Robert Morris University, 2008-2012
Pursued a passion for Cisco and management coursework
Excelled in security classes
President, Student Information Technology Club
That's not some generic sys admin. It's Brad Hedlund or Dennis Moore fresh out of school.
Now look at the second of our IT network administrator resume examples.
wrong
BS in Network Administration
Robert Morris University, 2008-2012
Completed all network admin coursework.
GPA 3.1
No wonder you're having trouble establishing a connection.
But add a couple details, and you're back up in the Cisco zone.
Pro Tip: You don't need a full network administrator degree to write a great resume. A postsecondary certificate or associate's degree does fine in most cases.
With the plan above, any resume for a network administrator can look like Vint Cerf wrote it.
Technical skills for network administrator resumes are changing all the time. Double-check the list above against the job description.
Pro Tip: If you're new, level-up your skills with Cisco training. Then apply to smaller companies. You'll be earning an entry-level network administrator salary in no time.
That's because most cover letters just say, "Here's my resume."
Want to land more interviews? Then don't write a generic network administrator cover letter.
Make yours so personal and passionate that Robert Kahn would hire you.
First, use the hiring manager's name.
Next, show you're synced up with her challenges.
Last, share an achievement that proves how you can help.
Let this sample network administration cover letter guide you:
Network Administrator Cover Letter Example
I've read great things about Colby-AG's commitment to networking excellence. I aspire to work for a company that understands how improving networks and security can help the bottom line. I believe my customer-focused approach to systems allowed me to slash vulnerabilities by 35% at Mid Illinois Medical Center while simultaneously boosting performance by 20%.
End your cover letter with an offer. Try something like, "Can we schedule a call to discuss network excellence at Colby-AG?"
Pro Tip: Think interpersonal skills don't count on a resume for network administration? They're huge. Consider taking an online class or reading a few books on EQ.
Plus, a great cover letter that matches your resume will give you an advantage over other candidates. You can write it in our cover letter builder here. Here's what it may look like:
Steve Ionescu, CCNA, stevezionescu@gmail.com, 630-566-0435
But did you know to add a well-made LinkedIn profile to your resume contact info?
These days, 87% of recruiters use LinkedIn to learn more about job applicants, according to our HR statistics report.
Make sure yours is up to par. Take it a step beyond your computer network admin resume. That means it has to prove your Robert Metcalf-level network powers.
That's all it takes to write a great network administrator resume that gets a ton of interviews. Remember:
Read the network administrator job description carefully. Highlight all the qualities they're looking for.
Cram your network admin resume bullet points with achievements. Make sure they match what's in the job offer.
Add "other" sections that show you fit the job like Star Lord's mask. Those can be publications, conferences, or CCENT exam scores.
Do you have questions on how to write a great resume for a network administrator? Not sure how to describe your skills or achievements? Give us a shout in the comments! Let's start the conversation.
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Tom Gerencer is a career expert and Certified Professional Resume Writer who has published over 200 in-depth articles on Zety. Since 2016, he has been sharing advice on all things recruitment from writing winning resumes and cover letters to getting a promotion.
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