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A network engineer is a technology-savvy professional who makes sure data sent around an organization's computer network gets where it's supposed to go. As an entry-level network engineer, your role would be system-centric and involve dealing with routers, switches, servers and more. These days, companies are often seeking network engineers who are familiar with cloud networking and cybersecurity protocols. When you're pursuing an entry-level role, your resume should show a clear understanding of basic networking principles and demonstrate any relevant academic or real-world experience.
In your resume, it's also important to show that you're keeping up with current trends like VPNs, cloud storage and remote work support. Since yours would be an entry-level role, employers won't be expecting years of experience, but they will be interested in seeing a passion for tech, problem-solving skills, and a readiness to learn and keep up with the latest developments in the field.
Although you're aiming for an entry-level position, highlighting relevant certifications on your resume gives you an edge. Certifications like CCNA or CompTIA Network+ provide a benchmark of your skills and show that you're serious about your career.
No matter how minor it may seem, any hands-on experience you have with network hardware or software is worth mentioning on your resume. This could be a home lab, part-time job, or even a relevant school project. It shows your practical understanding of theories beyond what you learned in class.
An entry-level network engineer can help design and maintain networks for clients. They learn key job skills while receiving mentorship and guidance from senior engineers. Although you can get hired for this job without much work experience, you’ll usually need at least a Bachelor’s degree in information science or a related field -- and you’ll need some technical proficiency, as well. Focus your resume on your relevant educational background, internship history, and skills.
When your work history is short, it’s helpful to emphasize your education, internship experience, and extracurricular activities. If you majored in information science, held multiple network engineering internships, and have already received certifications such as Cisco (CCNA), you have plenty of applicable knowledge to jumpstart your career -- so don’t be shy about showing it on your resume.
For network engineering and other technical positions, it’s important for hiring managers to see that you have the hard skills they need. For example, you might need to use Javascript, Python, or routing protocols in your job -- so if you’re proficient in these areas, don’t forget to list these skills in your skills section.
As a hiring manager who has recruited network engineers at companies like Cisco, Juniper Networks, and Arista Networks, I've seen countless resumes for entry-level network engineer positions. The best resumes stand out by showcasing relevant skills, hands-on experience, and a strong understanding of networking concepts. Here are some tips to help you create a compelling resume that will catch the attention of hiring managers and increase your chances of landing an interview.
Emphasize the technical skills and certifications that are most relevant to the entry-level network engineer role, such as:
Avoid listing skills or certifications that are not directly applicable to the role, like:
For entry level network engineers, a resume summary is optional. It can be a useful addition if you want to provide more context about your career goals or highlight skills that may not be immediately apparent from the rest of your resume. However, avoid using an objective statement, as they are outdated and do not provide value to hiring managers.
If you choose to include a summary, keep it concise and tailored to the specific job you are applying for. Use it to showcase your most relevant qualifications and experiences, without repeating information that is already covered in other sections of your resume.
The work experience section is the heart of your resume as an entry level network engineer. It's where you show hiring managers how you've applied your technical skills to real-world problems and delivered results. Let's break down step-by-step how to write an effective work experience section that will help you land your first network engineering role.
When describing your experience, start each bullet point with a strong action verb that demonstrates your network engineering capabilities. Instead of writing:
Use powerful, specific verbs like:
When writing an entry level network engineer resume, the education section is important. Even if you have some experience, your education shows you have the foundation needed to do the job. Here are some key tips for writing your education section:
The skills section is one of the most important parts of your entry level network engineer resume. It's where you highlight your technical abilities and show employers you have the right qualifications for the job. In this section, we'll break down the key steps to writing a strong skills section that will help you stand out from other applicants.
Here are examples of popular skills from Entry Level Network Engineer job descriptions that you can include on your resume.
This word cloud highlights the important keywords that appear on Entry Level Network Engineer job descriptions and resumes. The bigger the word, the more frequently it appears on job postings, and the more likely you should include it in your resume.
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