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GIS technician is an entry-level position in which you will work on the initial phase of a GIS project. You are responsible for data collection, database creation and management, creating maps, and reporting. GIS technicians are also responsible for integrating other team members into the project. This means you should make data accessible to them. If you don’t have extensive experience, you can also include any volunteering experience or internship in your resume.
As a GIS technician, you should have cartography skills, which is essentially the discipline of representing geographical areas (mapping). This is one of your main responsibilities as a GIS technician. You will create maps using available geographical data.
GIS technicians should collect, retrieve, maintain, update and make data accessible to other users. Therefore, it is essential to have database management skills. Additionally, it can be a plus to be proficient in programming languages like Python, R, or SQL.
We spoke with hiring managers at companies like Esri, Hexagon Geospatial, and Trimble who shared their insights on what makes a strong GIS Technician resume. Based on their feedback and our analysis of successful resumes in this field, we've compiled a list of key tips to help you craft a compelling resume that showcases your skills and experience.
Hiring managers want to see that you have the technical skills required for the job. Make sure to highlight your proficiency in GIS software, such as:
Additionally, if you have any relevant certifications, such as the Esri Technical Certification or the GISP (GIS Professional), be sure to include them in a prominent location on your resume.
Esri Certified ArcGIS Desktop Professional with 5+ years of experience using ArcGIS Desktop to create and maintain spatial databases, perform complex spatial analysis, and develop custom geoprocessing tools.
A resume summary, also known as a professional summary or summary statement, is an optional section that appears at the top of your resume, just below your contact information. While it's not a mandatory component, a well-crafted summary can be a valuable addition to your GIS Technician resume, especially if you have extensive experience or are making a career change.
Unlike an objective statement, which focuses on your career goals, a summary highlights your most relevant qualifications, skills, and achievements. It provides a brief overview of your professional background and showcases how you can contribute to the company's success. However, it's crucial to avoid repeating information that's already covered in other sections of your resume.
Your work experience section is the heart of your resume. It's where you show hiring managers how you've applied your skills to make an impact for your previous employers. For GIS technicians, this section is especially important to showcase your technical expertise and accomplishments.
Let's break down the key steps to write an effective work experience section for a GIS technician resume, from highlighting your GIS skills to quantifying your achievements.
When describing your work experience, choose strong action verbs that highlight your GIS skills and expertise. This helps hiring managers quickly understand the depth of your abilities and how you've applied them in previous roles.
Compare the following examples:
Instead, use powerful GIS-related verbs:
The education section of your GIS technician resume is a critical component that showcases your academic background and relevant training. It helps employers understand your qualifications and determine if you have the necessary knowledge to excel in the role. Here are some key tips to make your education section stand out:
The skills section is a critical part of your GIS technician resume. It's where you showcase your technical abilities and knowledge to potential employers. A well-crafted skills section can help you stand out from other applicants and demonstrate your value to the company.
When writing your skills section, focus on the specific tools, software, and techniques that are relevant to the GIS technician role. Avoid including generic or outdated skills that may not be useful in the current job market.
Here are examples of popular skills from GIS Technician job descriptions that you can include on your resume.
This word cloud highlights the important keywords that appear on GIS Technician 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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