How To Write an IT Specialist Resume
To write an information technology (IT) specialist resume, you’ll need to create an accomplishment-driven document emphasizing the strongest aspects of your experience as a technology professional. Highlight technical projects and initiatives that focus on the bottom-line value of your contributions. Incorporate a wide range of technology, programming, and leadership skills to show prospective employers you’re a dynamic and versatile candidate. This guide provides expert tips to help you translate your career history into a powerful IT specialist resume.
- Entry-level
- Mid-career
- Senior-level
1. Create a profile by summarizing your IT specialist qualifications
Craft a dynamic professional profile to draw the reader in and entice them to read further. Create a concise yet compelling snapshot of your career demonstrating your key qualifications and technical expertise. Capture the hiring manager’s attention quickly by detailing your job title, years of experience, and three to four specializations that match the job posting in your opening sentence. Emphasize the scope of your projects, your most important technical skills, and the value you bring to your teams.
Senior-Level Profile Example
A senior IT specialist with over 10 years of experience specializing in network administration, software installation, technical project management, and cybersecurity. A proven track record of leading technology teams to execute multi-million-dollar IT projects and initiatives. A strong history of defining overarching strategy and direction for IT organizations.
Entry-Level Profile Example
An IT specialist with entry-level experience specializing in information technology, end-user support, and troubleshooting complex hardware and software issues. Adept at interfacing with customers and technical teams to diagnose problems and identify solutions.
2. Create a powerful list of your IT specialist experience
Once you have a hiring manager’s attention, the next objective is to keep it, which is where the professional experience section comes in. List your jobs and show how your achievements in those positions have made you the ideal candidate for your next IT specialist job. Use hard numbers, monetary figures, and metrics to enhance the impact of your bullet points.
Hiring managers want to see tangible results from your work history, so provide specific details and insights to paint a clearer picture of your career experience. For example, if you were leading an installation project for a client account, clarify the number of devices you were deploying. If you managed the budget for your IT department, be sure to include a monetary figure. And if you created a knowledge base to reduce ticket resolution times, quantify this accomplishment with hard data.
Senior-Level Professional Experience Example
Senior IT Specialist
Los Angeles Technology Inc., Los Angeles, CA | November 2015 – present
- Serve as the IT point of contact for client accounts valued at $500,000 to $2.5 million, which includes troubleshooting Tier 1 technical issues, deploying technology solutions, and executing large-scale installation and network projects across customer sites
- Analyze security policies and procedures for client businesses and propose solutions to mitigate risks, improve user authentication, and enhance security
- Manage a team of 20 system administrators, network engineers, help desk technicians, and IT personnel to provide end-user support and execute $3 million IT initiatives, including large-scale system migrations and networking projects
- Lead meetings with the IT department and C-level executives to create technology roadmaps and define long-term IT strategy for the organization
Entry-Level Professional Experience Example
Junior IT Specialist
Boston IT Services Inc., Boston, MA | May 2021 – present
- Troubleshoot 10 to 25 Tier 3 issues per day for internal and external end users, including PCs, hardware, software, and networking problems
- Deliver training to end users on software and hardware configuration and diagnose issues during setup
- Create a knowledge base of solutions for recurring customer issues, resulting in a 15% improvement in resolution times for trouble tickets
- Analyze and track support tickets and escalate technical issues as needed
3. List your education and IT specialist-related certifications
Some hiring managers are looking for candidates with a specific educational background, such as a certain degree or certificate. If you meet these qualifications, make sure to list this prominently on your resume. It’s a good idea to list the degree/certificate, what organization awarded it, and the year, if possible. The tech field changes frequently, and showing that you have up-to-date knowledge can help set you apart. If you don’t have a tech-related degree, consider adding a short list of any relevant classes you took as electives to show you have some formal training.
Education
Template
- [Degree Name]
- [School Name], [City, State Abbreviation] – [Graduation Month and Year]
Example
- Bachelor of Science in Information Technology
- University of Seattle, Seattle, WA – May 2016
Certifications
Template
- [Certification Name], [Completion Year]
Example
- Microsoft Certified Solution Expert (MCSE), 2019
4. List your IT specialist-related skills and proficiencies
To have the highest chances of being called for an interview — or getting a job offer — your resume must show you’re a good match for the position. IT specialists are the conduit between developers, software engineers, and customers, and they need specific skills to excel in their jobs. Incorporate keywords from the job description to ensure compliance with applicant tracking system (ATS) and make a positive impression on prospective employers. Below, you’ll find a list key terms you may encounter while applying for IT specialist jobs:
| Key Skills and Proficiencies | |
|---|---|
| Active directory | Agile methodology |
| Amazon Web Services (AWS) | Cisco |
| Cloud computing | Cybersecurity |
| Database management | Database migration |
| End-user training | Hardware deployment |
| Help desk support | Network administration |
| Software installation | System implementation |
| System migration | Vendor management |
| Virtualization | Virtual private network (VPN) |
| Root cause analysis | Technical project management |
How To Pick the Best IT Specialist Resume Template
There are thousands of resume templates available and selecting the right option can be daunting. It’s important to choose wisely, or you risk doing more harm than good. A resume template should have a basic outline of each section and include headers bolded or in a slightly larger font to create an easy-to-skim visual layout. Avoid overly decorative fonts, colors, and graphics, as these visual elements can often distract the reader from your content.
IT Specialist Text-Only Resume Templates and Examples
- Entry-level
- Mid-career
- Senior-level
Harold Nicholson
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]
123 Your Street, Seattle, WA 12345
Profile
An IT Specialist with five years of experience, specializing in Windows server, hardware and software configuration, system administration, and database management. A proven track record of coordinating with onshore and offshore teams to deliver IT solutions for client businesses. Adept at identifying optimal technical solutions based on customer needs.
Professional Experience
IT Specialist, Seattle Conferencing Services Inc., Boston, MA
July 2017 – Present
- Delivered Tier 1 technical support to customer end users, including fielding escalated issues and diagnosing hardware and software configuration problems
- Lead the deployment of VOIP and video conferencing solutions across customer sites for client accounts valued at $250K to $1.5M, which includes evaluating organizational needs and delivering conferencing systems based on business requirements
- Interfaced cross-functionally with non-technical users and technology teams, which includes providing training and identifying solutions to complex technical issues
- Identify continuous improvement opportunities to streamline manual tasks for the IT department, resulting in a $100K reduction in labor costs
IT Specialist, Seattle IT Services Corp., Seattle, WA
May 2016 – July 2017
- Resolved 10-20 Tier 3 and Tier 2 issues per day for external customers and provided support for the creation of end-user accounts across Office 365 and Active Directory
- Performed installation of 150+ devices, PCs, laptops, and printers for client businesses, which included managing hardware configurations and software updates
- Attended meetings with the IT team to analyze internal procedures and discuss process improvement opportunities to drive customer success
Education
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Information Technology
University of Seattle, Seattle, WA September 2012 – May 2016
Key Skills
- Information Technology
- Active Directory
- Tier 1 Technical Support
- System Administration
- Process Improvement
Certifications
- Microsoft Certified Solution Expert (MCSE), 2019
- CompTIA A+, 2016
Frequently Asked Questions: IT Specialist Resume Examples and Advice
What are common action verbs for IT specialist resumes?-
As an IT specialist, your day is never boring, and the words on your resume shouldn’t be either. When describing your duties in previous positions, focus on powerful language and action verbs. If you’re unsure what to use or start to repeat yourself, use our list below to help fill in the blanks. It can also help to review the job description to see what the hiring manager has included in the daily responsibilities.
| Action Verbs | |
|---|---|
| Analyzed | Audited |
| Automated | Configured |
| Deployed | Developed |
| Evaluated | Identified |
| Improved | Managed |
| Migrated | Monitored |
| Optimized | Oversaw |
| Resolved | Supported |
| Streamlined | Tested |
| Troubleshoot | Upgraded |
How do you align your resume with an IT specialist job description?-
Jobs openings for computer support and IT specialists should remain steady through 2031, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. And while this is certainly better than slow growth, it could mean fewer positions and more applicants, creating a more competitive job market. Spend extra time on each resume to tailor it to the job description by including keywords, qualifications, and other requirements. This can help you get past the initial round, often reviewed by ATS looking for specific words and phrases.
For example, if a company is looking for an IT specialist with a strong background in cybersecurity, emphasize your knowledge of VPNs, threat detection, and network security. If an organization is looking for a technical professional who excels in cross-functional collaboration, highlight your ability to translate complex concepts into accessible language for team members, stakeholders, and end users. Tailoring your resume towards individual job descriptions will greatly increase your odds of landing the interview.
What is the best IT specialist resume format?-
The traditional reverse chronological resume format is ideal for IT specialists. This approach ensures that your most recent and relevant work experience is featured towards the top of your document. Functional resume formats should be avoided, even at the entry level, as skill-based resumes aren’t designed for detailed bullet points. In this situation, place your skills above your professional experience while providing thoughtful bullet points for your academic projects and previous jobs.
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Once your resume is polished and ready to send out, don’t forget to include a cover letter that has also been tailored to the position. This is where you can expand on specific career achievements and show why you’re an excellent fit for the job. If you need help, we’ve compiled a resource with examples of IT cover letters.
