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A system administrator is in charge of a company’s network and computers. Tasks you can expect include installing software, setting up servers, managing data storage, etc. As an entry-level system administrator, your job will be to learn everything you can about the hardware, software, and networks of the company and how to satisfy the company’s IT needs. For many companies, this position is seen as a training position for new professionals in the field.
Your resume may not show a lot of experience so focus on your qualifications and skills sections. Take a look at this strong resume sample.
If you have no experience in the field, adding a specific job title can help you get past resume screeners looking for specific skills or keywords on your resume.
Because you will most likely not have years of experience, recruiters will be keen to see what qualifications you have in the field. Gaining certifications in system administration will show recruiters that you are more qualified and skilled than your competitors and that you are driven and passionate about the profession.
As a team of hiring managers who have recruited for system administrator roles at companies like Google, Amazon, and Microsoft, we've seen thousands of resumes for entry-level positions. The best resumes that catch our attention and lead to interviews all have a few things in common. In this article, we'll share some expert tips to help you create a strong resume that will impress hiring managers and increase your chances of landing your first system administrator job.
As an entry-level system administrator, it's important to showcase your technical skills and any relevant certifications you have earned. Hiring managers want to see that you have a solid foundation in the key technologies and tools used in the role.
If you don't have professional experience yet, highlight relevant coursework, projects, or lab work that demonstrates your skills.
A resume summary, also known as a professional summary or summary statement, is an optional section that appears at the top of your resume. It serves as a brief introduction to your professional background, skills, and career goals. While a summary is not strictly necessary, it can be a valuable addition to your resume if you have relevant experience or are making a career change.
When writing a summary for an entry-level system administrator position, focus on highlighting your technical skills, relevant education, and any hands-on experience you may have gained through internships, projects, or certifications. Avoid using an objective statement, as it tends to focus on your goals rather than what you can offer to the employer.
The work experience section is the heart of your resume. It's where you show hiring managers what you've accomplished in previous roles and how you can apply those skills to the entry-level system administrator position. Here are some key tips to make your work experience section stand out:
When describing your work experience, use strong action verbs to convey your responsibilities and accomplishments. Action verbs help you write concisely while still painting a clear picture of your contributions.
Good action verbs for an entry-level system administrator include:
For example:
Deployed and maintained configuration management tools like Puppet and Ansible to automate server provisioning and application deployments.
The education section of your resume is crucial, especially if you're an entry-level system administrator. It's where you showcase your academic background and relevant coursework. Here are some key steps to follow when writing your education section:
The skills section is a critical component of your system administrator resume. It's where you highlight your technical abilities and show employers that you have the necessary expertise to excel in the role. In this section, we'll provide tips on how to craft a compelling skills section that will catch the attention of hiring managers and help you land your dream job.
Here are examples of popular skills from Entry-Level System Administrator job descriptions that you can include on your resume.
This word cloud highlights the important keywords that appear on Entry-Level System Administrator 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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