Network and Systems Administrator Resume: Your Complete Guide

Stand out in today's competitive IT infrastructure job market with a professionally crafted resume. Our comprehensive guide covers everything from ATS optimization to network security skills, helping you land your dream network administrator position.

Network and Systems Administrator professional reviewing resumes.

Network Administration Job Market Snapshot

Understanding the current IT infrastructure landscape is crucial for crafting an effective resume

$96,800
Median Annual Salary
335,400
Number of Jobs
Medium
Competition Level

Salaries by Location

New York, NY

$112,400

+16% above national avg

Los Angeles, CA

$107,900

+11% above national avg

Chicago, IL

$102,300

+6% above national avg

Houston, TX

$94,800

-2% below national avg

General Resume Tips for Network Administrators

Industry-specific best practices to make your network administrator resume stand out

Common Mistakes to Avoid

When writing your resume, avoid the following common mistakes

  • Generic objective statements
  • Missing certifications
  • Lack of quantified achievements
  • Poor grammar and spelling
  • Outdated contact information
  • Using unprofessional email addresses

ATS Optimization

Use industry-specific keywords like

Network Administration
System Administration
Windows Server
Linux
Network Security
Firewall Management
Server Maintenance
Backup Systems
Network Monitoring
Active Directory
Virtualization
Cloud Computing

Essential Components of a Network Administrator Resume

Key sections every network administrator resume must include to get noticed by IT directors and hiring managers

Header & Contact

Must Include

  • Full name (large, clear font)
  • Professional phone number
  • Professional email address
  • City, State

Optional

  • LinkedIn profile
  • Professional website
Professional Summary

3-4 sentences highlighting

  • Years of experience
  • Specialty areas
  • Key achievements
  • Relevant certifications
Example "Certified network administrator with CCNA and 6+ years managing enterprise infrastructure. Achieved 99.9% network uptime while reducing security incidents by 75% through proactive monitoring and advanced firewall configurations."
Skills Section

Hard Skills

Cisco Networking Equipment
VMware vSphere
Microsoft Active Directory
Linux/Unix Administration
Network Security Protocols
Cloud Platforms (AWS/Azure)

Soft Skills

Problem-Solving
Project Management
Documentation
Team Collaboration
Critical Thinking
Communication
Work Experience

For each position include

  • Job title, facility, dates
  • 3-5 bullet points with achievements
  • Quantified results when possible
  • Action verbs (administered, assessed, improved)
Tip: Focus on uptime metrics and security improvements. "Maintained 99.9% network uptime" vs "Managed network infrastructure"
Education

Required

  • Degree type (ADN, BSN, MSN)
  • School name and location
  • Graduation year
  • GPA (if 3.5+)

For New Grads

  • Relevant coursework
  • Clinical rotations
  • Academic honors
Certifications & Licenses

Required

Bachelor's Degree or Associate + Experience

Valuable

CCNA
CCNP
Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator
CompTIA Network+
VMware Certified Professional

Always include expiration dates

Customization for Specific Network Admin Roles

Tailor your resume for different network administration specializations and environments

Network Security Administrator
  • Firewall configuration
  • Intrusion detection systems
  • VPN management
  • Security policy implementation
  • Vulnerability assessments
  • Incident response
Cloud Systems Administrator
  • AWS/Azure administration
  • Cloud migration projects
  • Infrastructure as Code
  • Container orchestration
  • Cloud security best practices
  • Cost optimization
Windows Systems Administrator
  • Active Directory management
  • Group Policy administration
  • Exchange Server management
  • PowerShell scripting
  • Windows Server deployment
  • Patch management
Linux Systems Administrator
  • Linux/Unix server management
  • Shell scripting
  • Apache/Nginx web servers
  • Database administration
  • System automation
  • Open source technologies

Network Administrator Career Path & Progression

Understanding the typical career progression helps you position your resume for your next step

Entry Level
Junior Network Technician
0-2 years$45K-$60K
  • Basic network support
  • Cable installation
  • Equipment maintenance
  • Documentation assistance
Experienced
Network Administrator
2-5 years$60K-$80K
  • Network configuration
  • System monitoring
  • User account management
  • Backup administration
Senior
Senior Network Administrator
5-8 years$80K-$100K
  • Complex infrastructure design
  • Security implementation
  • Performance optimization
  • Team leadership
Leadership
Network Engineering Manager
7-12 years$100K-$125K
  • Team management
  • Strategic planning
  • Vendor relations
  • Budget oversight
Management
IT Infrastructure Manager
10-15 years$120K-$150K
  • Multi-team leadership
  • Technology roadmap
  • Risk management
  • Compliance oversight
Executive
IT Director
15+ years$140K-$200K
  • IT strategy development
  • Executive reporting
  • Digital transformation
  • Organizational alignment
Entry
Experienced
Senior
Leadership
Management
Executive

Tips for Career Advancement

Build Your Skills

  • Obtain advanced networking certifications (CCNP, CCIE)
  • Develop expertise in cloud platforms and hybrid environments
  • Build strong project management and leadership skills
  • Learn automation and scripting for infrastructure management
  • Stay current with cybersecurity trends and best practices

Position Your Resume

  • Highlight network uptime and reliability metrics
  • Showcase security improvements and incident prevention
  • Include successful migration and upgrade projects
  • Demonstrate cost savings through infrastructure optimization
  • Quantify improvements in system performance and user satisfaction

Advanced Optimization Strategies

Take your network administrator resume to the next level with these proven ATS techniques

ATS Success Tactics

Keyword Optimization

Include relevant keywords naturally throughout your resume:

Network Administration
System Administration
Windows Server
Linux
Network Security
Firewall Management
Server Maintenance
Backup Systems
Network Monitoring
Active Directory
Virtualization
Cloud Computing
Format Compatibility
  • Save as PDF to preserve formatting
  • Use standard fonts (Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman)
  • Avoid headers, footers, and text boxes

Quantifying Impact

Metrics That Matter

"Achieved 99.95% network uptime across enterprise infrastructure serving 500+ users"

"Reduced security incidents by 80% through implementation of advanced monitoring and firewall rules"

"Successfully migrated 200+ servers to cloud infrastructure with zero downtime"

"Automated routine tasks with PowerShell scripts, reducing manual work by 60%"

Recognition & Awards
  • Network Administrator of the Year
  • Excellence in Infrastructure Management
  • Security Innovation Award
  • Outstanding Technical Achievement
  • IT Professional Recognition
  • Team Leadership Award

Frequently Asked Questions

Get answers to the most common network administrator resume questions

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