System Administrator Resume Examples and Templates for 2023

How To Write a System Administrator Resume

Approach your system administrator resume as you would any technical project. Start by gathering the data: your accomplishments, experience, education, and skills. Then, figure out how to combine that information to demonstrate your expertise as a system administrator and why you’re a good fit for a position.

This guide provides the framework for creating your resume, including requirements for various sections. You’ll find templates including technical certifications and degrees, lists of verbs, and links for inspiration to get you started.

1. Write a dynamic profile summarizing your qualifications

The profile summary is the first thing hiring managers see when they scan your resume, so you’ll need to create a compelling snapshot of your career to make a strong first impression. Start by listing your title, years of experience, and three to four technical skills that align with the job posting in your opening sentence. In the subsequent sentences, emphasize your ability to create value for your teams, clients, and organizations. If possible, include an eye-catching metric or figure to illustrate your track record of success within the technology field.

In addition to your technical acumen, draw attention to your leadership capabilities, interpersonal skills, and professional values. Although your technical qualifications are important, hiring managers want to see you’re the right culture fit for their company and team.

2. Add an accomplishment-driven professional experience section

Create an accomplishment-driven professional experience section by leveraging your most compelling technical projects and achievements from your career. List each job, including where you worked, the position name, and the dates you held the position. Then, begin crafting bullet points that capture your strongest accomplishments within the technology industry.

For example, as a system administrator, you might feature examples of driving automation, enhancing security protocols, or improving user satisfaction. Be sure to quantify your achievements using hard data, metrics, and monetary figures whenever possible. This establishes a sense of scope for the hiring manager and paints a clearer picture of your professional experience.

3. Include relevant education and certifications

You don’t always need a four-year degree to land a system administrator job. But a relevant college degree opens more doors and can help you advance your career. List all your education on your resume, including associate degrees, to ensure your competitiveness as a candidate.

Certifications are especially important for technical professionals. Employers may look for certain certifications specifically — check the job posting for any mentioned credentials so you can include them first. Otherwise, list certifications, such as The Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) Server+, or various Microsoft credentials if you have them.

4. List pertinent key skills

Show employers you’re the right technical professional for their system administrator positions by including relevant skills on your resume. The right skills list does more than tip the scales in your favor when hiring managers make interview lists. It also helps your resume make it through applicant tracking systems (ATS).

ATS software is programmed to look for specific skills and keywords. If an employer won’t hire someone without Azure experience, the ATS may be set to ignore resumes that don’t specifically mention Azure. Look at employer job listings and include all the skills the employer mentions on your resume if they’re relevant.

Some common key skills for system administration resumes include:

How To Pick the Best System Administrator Resume Template

The right template for a system administrator resume gives equal importance to skills and professional experience. Hiring managers are likely to scan resumes quickly, looking for mentions of specific required skills before delving deeper into accomplishments and experience. Avoid flashy colors and overly decorative fonts, as strong visual elements can often distract the hiring manager from your content.

Look for a template that includes an organized section for education and certifications. Many employers use technical certifications as a differentiator between candidates. Ensuring that information is easy to find can help you land an interview or pass through ATS.

System Administrator Text-Only Resume Templates and Examples

Years of Experience

Frequently Asked Questions: System Administrator Resume Examples and Advice

Frank Hackett

Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW)

Frank Hackett is a professional resume writer and career consultant with over eight years of experience. As the lead editor at a boutique career consulting firm, Frank developed an innovative approach to resume writing that empowers job seekers to tell their professional stories. His approach involves creating accomplishment-driven documents that balance keyword optimization with personal branding. Frank is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) with the Professional Association of Resume Writers and Career Coaches (PAWRCC).