8 System Administrator Resume Examples & Guide for 2024

In a world where companies are swapping out in-house IT for Managed Service Providers (MSPs), being a system administrator means constantly leveling up your skills and keeping pace with evolving technologies. Today's sysadmins are like the ultimate tech multitaskers, handling everything from server setups to cybersecurity. Even with the shift to MSPs, skilled IT sysadmins are still the MVPs in the tech game. After all, technology still breaks, and someone's gotta fix it!

So, we’ll help you build a resume for your dream system administrator role that’s like your "system log"—one that highlights your expertise, troubleshoots potential gaps, and optimizes your career path. Let's get into it.

For those in a rush, here's a quick look at a sample system administrator resume to get you started.

System administrator resume sample

You can use this system admin resume example to inspire your next job application.

For those of you starting your resume from scratch, begin with the basics and decide on the right resume format first.

How to format a system administrator resume

Start the resume-writing process by choosing the best-fitting structure. The reverse chronological format is your go-to for a sysadmin resume. It’s perfect for flaunting your experience, especially if you have certifications and skills in hot tech areas. Plus, it's the one that's most easily read by both ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems) and recruiters. Here’s why:

Both automated systems and recruiters "expect" a certain flow in resume sections. Ideally, they should be ordered like so:

• Contact Information
• Summary or Objective
• Work History or Projects
• Education and Certifications
• Skills or Technologies

Now, let’s get into the nitty gritty details of resume building.

Resume design tips for sysadmins

• Keep standard margins (0.5-1”) for a clean and readable resume. Many IT job seekers prefer a double-column layout, which best highlights technical skills, certifications, and key achievements.
• Choose traditional sans-serif fonts like Rubik, Lato, or Montserrat, sized 10-12 pt. Use subtle colors to maintain a sleek appearance.
• Limit your resume to one page. Longer documents are typically used by seasoned professionals with extensive experience.

Contact information

• Make sure the job title on your resume header matches the position you're applying for. Consider adding a headline to emphasize your expertise, like "Certified system administrator with Azure Expertise."
• Include relevant links, such as your LinkedIn profile, personal website, or portfolio, to display contributions to open-source projects, scripts, or other relevant technical work.
• Avoid using a photo to prevent potential biases.

File format

• Name your resume file clearly, such as "AlexSmithSystemAdministratorResume.pdf," so recruiters can easily spot it.
• Save your resume as a PDF unless the job posting specifies otherwise.

If you already have a resume, you can see how it will be parsed by an ATS using our free AI-powered resume checker.

Next, let’s focus on one of the crucial sections of a sysadmin resume—work experience.

How to write your system administrator resume experience

When building your resume's experience section, focus on your technical skills, key achievements, and the impact you've made in your roles. Here's what to include:

• Job title and company name
• Dates and location
• Bullet points with key sysadmin responsibilities and achievements
• Specific tools and technologies you've used

Those are the basics, but if you want to massively improve your chances of getting noticed, you need to create a targeted resume.

How to tailor your resume to a system administrator job description

A targeted resume is tailored specifically to the job you're applying for, emphasizing the skills and experience that match the job description. To make one, carefully read the job posting, note the key qualifications, and then align your resume to show how your work history meets those requirements. This way, recruiters can easily see that you're a great fit for the role.

Here’s a demo. Check out this real-world job posting for a system administrator role.

Now, let us show you how a streamlined experience entry can look when targeted to the position above.

This experience section does a great job of pointing out key responsibilities and achievements in a clear, concise way. It uses specific metrics, like reducing access issues by 30%, to show real impact. A special nod to the action verbs that open each bulleted entry—an approach that demonstrates proactiveness and an ability to take initiative.

If you want to achieve something similar, provide concrete examples of your successes at work. The next section of this guide will show you how to do just that.

How to quantify your experience on a resume

Including numbers and results on your resume is key because they show real proof of your contributions. Use specific metrics like percentages, savings, or time reductions to make your impact clear and easy to understand.

Here’s what you can focus on:

You can highlight your impact even without extensive experience. Find useful tips for creating a junior system administrator's resume in the next section.

How do I write a system administrator resume with no experience

Junior system administrators can aim to reach this level of experience and stability in their careers. Enhance your resume by focusing on practical skills and academic achievements to offset limited work experience. To create an impressive entry-level IT resume, follow these tips:

• Opt for a functional resume template, which allows you to emphasize your transferable skills and the knowledge you've gained about the role.
• Include any relevant certifications like CompTIA A+, Network+, or Microsoft Certified: Windows Server Fundamentals.
• List specific technical skills such as knowledge of Linux, Windows Server, and networking basics, along with experience in virtualization technologies like VMware or Hyper-V.
• Mention any hands-on projects, labs, or internships where you applied your skills, even if they were part of your coursework or personal projects.
• Describe scenarios where you successfully solved technical problems to demonstrate your ability to troubleshoot and resolve issues.
• Underline soft skills like communication, teamwork, and time management, which are crucial in IT roles for collaborating with colleagues and handling multiple tasks.
• Finish strong with a convincing objective statement, which is especially beneficial for less-experienced job seekers.

Write a strong objective statement

Your resume objective can be the clincher for hiring managers. Just like anything else on your resume, you need to know what the target company is looking for and how you can meet or exceed those expectations. Here's how to write a good objective statement:

• Research the company’s goals and values to align your objective with what they want.
• Mention your top skills and experiences that are most relevant to the job.
• State the position you’re applying for and what you bring to the table.
• Aim for a concise, one to three-sentence statement.
• Make it clear how your career goals align with the company's mission and the role.

Below is an example from a resume of an aspiring system administrator:

Next, discover how to set yourself apart from the competition by including the right skills for the job you’re applying for.

How to list system administrator skills on a resume

Adding the right skills to your sysadmin resume is crucial for drawing attention to your qualifications and expertise.

We'll start by focusing on hard skills— the technical abilities and knowledge specific to system administrator roles and responsibilities, such as network configuration and cybersecurity protocols. Featuring these first sets a strong foundation for your candidacy.

List your technical skills in a dedicated skills section or within the experience section, where they can be contextualized with specific examples of their application.

Here are some of the key tools and techniques to underscore on your resume:

The same goes for soft skills. They’re best described when woven into other sections of your resume, such as your experience or projects, using specific examples to illustrate how you've applied them in real-world scenarios.

With your skills section complete, it's time to focus on the education section of your system administrator resume.

How to list your education and certifications on a resume

Your training can significantly impact your career prospects in system administration. You’ll typically need at least a bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or a related field to understand complex IT systems and networks.

Therefore, it's essential to get your resume's education section right. Make sure to include:

• The degree and major (e.g., B.S. in Information Technology)
• The name of the university
• The year of graduation or expected graduation dates
• Relevant courses that align with system administration, such as Network Security or Database Management
• Any honors, awards, or distinctions received

Here’s an example specifically tailored to the job description provided earlier.

While a degree can enhance your job prospects, it’s not always a strict requirement, especially in organizations that prioritize hands-on experience and practical skills. Some system administrators enter the field through alternative routes, such as self-study, on-the-job training, or technical certifications.

Here are some tips on how to list certifications:

• Clearly state the name of the certification (e.g., CompTIA A+).
• Include the name of the certifying body or organization.
• Mention the date the certification was obtained and, if applicable, the expiration date.

With your certifications laid out, it's time to pull everything together into a standout summary that showcases your key skills and qualifications as a system administrator.

How to write your system administrator resume summary

Writing the summary section of your resume can be like configuring a critical system—it requires precision and clarity. This part might be the toughest because it's your first impression. No worries. Just stick to these simple guidelines:

• Start with your professional title and years of experience in system administration.
• Highlight job-relevant core skills.
• Include a few quantifiable achievements.
• Mention your familiarity with essential technologies like Windows Server, Linux, or VMware.
• Keep it brief, with 3-5 impactful sentences, using strong descriptors to convey your achievements, and avoid using the first-person perspective.

Here’s an example summary tailored to the system administrator role we discussed earlier.

The summary effectively uses clear, quantifiable achievements, like reducing authentication issues by 30%, to showcase real impact. It also underscores key skills and experience in a way that's easy for hiring managers to match with the job description keywords.

With Enhancv's resume builder, you can easily add more sections to your resume if you think they can contribute to your job success. We explore some of them below.

Additional sections for a system administrator resume

Adding extra sections to your resume can be beneficial for a system administrator role where diverse skills and achievements can set you apart. Here are a few useful options:

• Add a section for interesting projects you've worked on, highlighting your hands-on experience with systems and tech.
• Mention any volunteer work, especially if it involved IT support or system admin tasks, to show you're willing to use your skills for good, not just pay.
• If you've written articles or given talks on tech topics, this is a great place to shine a light on your expertise and thought leadership.
• List any awards or recognitions you've snagged in IT or system administration.
• Include any languages you speak besides English, as this can be a big plus for roles involving diverse teams or international clients.
• Share hobbies or interests that show traits like problem-solving or a passion for tech.

In conclusion

Ensure the smooth flow and accessibility of your resume by carefully configuring each component, much like setting up a secure and efficient network. Organize your resume sections to align with the job you're applying for, using a format that clearly underlines your value and fit for the role.