System Administrators are responsible for ensuring that all systems and networks are installed and maintained properly. As a Systems Administrator you can expect to hold at least a Bachelor’s degree with a major in Computer Science, Information Technology, or Information System Management. Depending on what you choose to focus on, you might earn a specialized certification as a Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE) for example.
To follow a linear path, you could begin your career as a System Administration Specialist and then continue to progress to System Administrator and then up to Senior System Administrator where you’ll be taking on additional leadership roles. Or, you could specialize as an IT System Administrator or a Linux Administrator. Other options are to transition to areas such as IT Consulting, System Architecture, or Cybersecurity. Right now, you can expect steady growth in the field for the next few years.
System Administrators should have strong problem solving skills and be knowledgeable of software and hardware programs like Windows Server, Amazon Web Services, Python, or Red Hat Enterprise Linux. Remember that each role is slightly different so make sure to know which of these are required for the specific job.
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The system administrator works in the IT department of a company. Their primary responsibility is to make sure a company’s computer systems and software are running smoothly. These professionals are responsible for supporting, troubleshooting, and problem-solving any issues that arise with a company’s computers and networks. They may manage system permissions, perform security testing, upgrade software and hardware, and support employees experiencing issues.
To land a role as a system administrator, you’ll need a degree in IT or computer science. This job can be landed with an associate's degree, but a bachelor’s degree can make you more competitive. System administrators must have advanced knowledge of computer systems and networks. Previous experience as an IT support engineer or technology architect will be sought after by hiring managers.
Problem solving skills are among the most important for a system administrator. Organizations lean on system administrators to solve computer issues for employees. Be sure to demonstrate on your resume how you have solved problems in previous roles.
There are several system administrator certifications you can get to bolster your resume. There are several certification programs for system administrators, including Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert and the Google IT Support certificate. Getting these credentials will help your resume stand out from the competition.
A System Administrator is responsible for making sure that all systems are working properly. This might include setting up computer networks and performing server maintenance. To advance in this field, you will want to show past experience of clear growth through promotions or additional responsibilities. It’s also important to use specific metrics throughout your bullet points with tangible examples. For each achievement, try to use a number or metric.
This resume does a nice job of showing past experience of being promoted quickly. It shares, “Promoted within 19 months due to strong performance and organizational impact, one year ahead of schedule.” This would show future employers that you learn quickly, and are looking to grow and advance with the company. Check out our article for examples of how to list a promotion on a resume.
Using specific metrics and examples in your bullet points is an ideal way to show your tangible results. This resume uses the example, “Planned all system design, saving $200,000 a year in lost time and materials…” Whenever possible, try to use a number or metric to convey your ideas as this will speak volumes about your capabilities.
As an IT System Administrator, you'll find yourself at the heart of a company's technology infrastructure, working with systems and networks that keep the business running smoothly. You should know that employers are particularly interested in candidates with practical knowledge of cloud technologies, cybersecurity, and server management, as these are trending in the industry. When crafting your resume, remember that hiring managers are not just looking for technical skills; they also want to see examples of problem-solving, teamwork and how you handle high-pressure situations.
The world of IT system administration is becoming more specialized, with employers increasingly seeking individuals with certificates in technologies such as Kubernetes or AWS. A successful resume should communicate your ability to learn new technologies quickly, adapt to changing tech landscapes, and implement strategic IT solutions. Rather than listing every technology you've ever touched, focus on showcasing the depth of your experience in key areas.
Many employers in the IT industry value certifications highly, so it's a good idea to highlight these prominently on your resume. Include specifics like the issuing authority, date of issue and any notable projects related to the certification.
As an IT System Administrator, you're often expected to be the "problem solver". Hence, your resume should include real-world examples of problems you’ve solved in your previous roles. Describe the challenge, your solution, and the outcome to demonstrate your practical skills.
An IT System Administrator is a specialized System Administrator that is in charge of designing, organizing, changing, and supporting the computer systems, as well as solving problems related to LAN, Wide Area Networks, and other networking areas. Using strong action verbs to convey your leadership will help you to continually advance from junior to senior positions. Also, including the most important IT skills will help your resume to stand out.
Starting your bullet points with verbs such as, “Collaborated,” “Trained,” and “Supported” will show employers that you have solid experience training and managing other teams or employees. By taking on responsibilities like this, you are also showing that you’re capable of advancing and managing at a higher level.
IT System Administrators are more focused on administrative tasks within the IT department so focus on your skills on those. Look at the job description for required skills that you should include in your skills sections and the rest of your resume. For example, in IT, “Linux,” “Networking,” and “SharePoint” are common.
As a Junior System Administrator, you're the backbone of any tech-centric organization, ensuring that employee computer systems and servers are running well. Recently, we've seen a surge in remote work, and cloud technology integration means your role has a new importance. So, when you're crafting your resume, aim to highlight the unique skills that underscore your adaptability to these new trends.
The Junior System Administrator's role has also evolved beyond just technical skills. Soft skills like communication and problem-solving are increasingly critical as you're often the go-to person for resolving tech issues. So, your resume needs to communicate that you're not only technically proficient, but that you've got these interpersonal skills too.
If you have experience with Azure, AWS, or Google Cloud Platform, make sure this is prominent on your resume. Companies are increasingly moving towards these platforms, so showing that you're familiar with them can give you an edge.
As a Junior System Administrator, one of your main roles is troubleshooting systems and networks. Provide specific examples of how you identified, analyzed, and solved technical problems. This can demonstrate your problem-solving skills and your ability to stay calm under pressure.
A Junior System Administrator needs to assist other administrators with setting up, maintaining the computer databases and making sure that everything is operating well. In your resume you can use the keyword of the job title you are applying for and add any relevant certifications after the skills section of your resume. Remember you don’t need to include everything, just the jobs, skills, and certifications relevant to the position.
Especially if you don’t have much system administration experience, it might be worth including the specific job role of “Junior System Administrator” at the top of the resume, ensuring that you will pass the automated screeners. In this case, the resume is targeted to this particular role, and focuses on past experience in the exact same position.
If you have a specific certification that is relevant to the position, include it in your resume. This could be an online course or a bootcamp you completed — including an online course is an opportunity to add in relevant sysadmin or networking skills to your resume that you otherwise might not have in your work experience.
As a Linux System Administrator, you'll be responsible for the upkeep, configuration, and reliable operation of computer systems, particularly those operating on Linux and UNIX platforms. With the increasing demand and reliance on cloud services, many companies are seeking talented Linux professionals to maintain their infrastructure. When writing your resume, it's important to showcase your familiarity with Linux distributions, virtualization, and tools, as well as your ability to troubleshoot and optimize the performance of these systems.
In today's competitive job market, it's essential to demonstrate your adaptability and eagerness to learn, as technology is constantly evolving. Showcasing your experience with automation tools, scripting, and containerization can help you stand out as a candidate. Emphasize any certifications you may have, such as the Linux Professional Institute (LPI) or Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA), to further validate your expertise.
It's important to list the specific Linux distributions you've worked with, such as Ubuntu, CentOS, or Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL). This information helps employers understand your familiarity with different environments and demonstrates your versatility as a Linux System Administrator.
Focus on your experience with relevant tools and technologies used in Linux administration, such as scripting languages (Bash, Python), configuration management tools (Ansible, Puppet), and containerization platforms (Docker, Kubernetes). This highlights your proficiency in automating tasks and managing complex Linux systems.
Unlike generalist System Administrator roles, a Linux System Administrator is focused specifically on skills involving the Linux operating system — for example, installing and setting up Linux servers and systems. A resume like this can emphasize your advanced education in Computer Science and also references your vast experience working with Linux systems. Your bullet points can draw attention to common industry jargon.
If you have a specific degree that employers are looking for or have an advanced degree make sure that this is emphasized in your education section of your resume. For example, this resume shows both a Bachelor’s degree and a Master’s degree in Computer Science which will certainly impress companies. Remember your degree might be a keyword that the screeners want.
As you can see in this resume, any direct experience should be prominently displayed. For a specialized role like this, use language that is specific to the role or field with metrics and clear examples.
A senior system administrator oversees the systems administration department within an organization. They are responsible for overseeing the networks and computer systems a company uses to conduct business. They may map out improvements to established networks, help troubleshoot complicated issues, and manage systems administrators who oversee day-to-day problems and maintenance. This is a managerial role that requires leadership skills and demonstrated experience in systems administration.
To become a senior system administrator, you should have a relevant bachelor’s degree in IT or computer science. Hiring managers will be looking for several years of previous experience in related roles such as experience as a computer systems analyst or system administrator. Hiring managers will also be looking for someone with technical skills in repairing and troubleshooting network issues. The ideal candidate for this role will have important soft skills, such as leadership abilities, superb problem-solving skills, and communication skills.
The biggest difference when making a jump from a system administrator to a senior system administrator is that you will be responsible for overseeing a team of staff. For this reason, it’s important to demonstrate your leadership abilities, as well as previous experience hiring, training, and developing junior-level staff, on your resume.
As the senior system administrator, you will be responsible for communicating with other internal stakeholders about new initiatives or improvements that need to be made. As such, it’s important that senior system administrators are able to convey technical concepts to others with varying levels of comprehension. Showing that you have successfully collaborated internally to fix network issues in the past on your resume is important to land this role.
A Senior System Administrator is part technical expert and part manager. In this role you’ll be configuring new systems, monitoring progress and overseeing other employees and teams. Because this is a senior level role, you’ll want to draw attention to your career progression, emphasizing promotions and leadership experience. You should also focus on specific project experience that the job will require or that are transferable skills or areas.
When applying for senior and higher level positions, it’s important to use past promotions and growth to show your progression in the field. This will also show employers that you are serious about advancing in your career and will demonstrate your ability to take on additional responsibilities and continue to develop.
Sometimes, it’s useful to call out your most relevant or most high-profile experiences to the job you’re applying to. The “Selected Project Experience” highlights experience with specific systems and projects, like SuSE, RedHat, and Solaris.”
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.
An experienced system administrator will manage a company’s networks and the software and hardware used within them. Some of your tasks will include troubleshooting, installing hardware or software, designing networks and their infrastructure, assisting staff with network needs, etc.
You will be expected to have expertise in IT, software, hardware, network design, and more. Being able to show a degree in IT, computer science, or a related field is a sure way to prove your knowledge in these areas. Beyond that, your resume should show a history of handling networks for companies and the achievements you have had in that area. Look at this successful resume sample.
An experienced system administrator has a range of tasks they need to complete, so using action verbs that show a range of functions is an easy way to make your range clear to recruiters. Some action verbs relevant to this position include designed, maintained, and resolved.
Your skill section should be specific to the skills needed in system administration. This is especially true for the technical skills or industry knowledge sections. Relevant skills may include DBA, system backup, and capacity planning.
A Windows system administrator, otherwise known as a Windows administrator, is in charge of the Windows systems in a company. Tasks you can expect include acquiring, installing, upgrading, and maintaining Windows-based systems and servers. You will be expected to be an expert when it comes to Windows systems so having Windows certifications listed on your resume would be very beneficial for you. Recruiters will otherwise expect to see a background in I.T.
In terms of soft skills, you will be expected to have strong communication skills and patience as you will be talking and assisting multiple people across the company. Here is a successful resume sample.
Having many I.T. certifications is great, but for this position, the only ones recruiters care about are the Microsoft certifications. So only list those so they stand out. For many companies, having these certifications will be required to qualify for this job.
By reading your resume, recruiters should be able to tell that you are highly knowledgeable and skilled. An effective way to do this is to litter your resume with industry and job-specific keywords. For this position, relevant keywords may include VMware, software licensing, and operating systems.
We spoke to hiring managers at top companies like Google, Microsoft, and Amazon to gather their best tips for System Administrator resumes. They've seen thousands of resumes throughout their careers and know exactly what makes a resume stand out. Here are their top recommendations:
Hiring managers want to see that you have the technical skills needed for the job. Be sure to include:
Avoid simply listing skills without context. Instead, show how you used these skills to solve problems or improve processes.
Implemented Nagios monitoring for 500+ servers, reducing downtime incidents by 40%.
A resume summary is an optional section that highlights your most relevant skills and experience for the position you're applying for. While it's not required, it can be a powerful tool to provide additional context about your background, especially if you're changing careers or have extensive experience. However, avoid using an objective statement, as it's outdated and focuses on what you want rather than what you can offer the employer.
When crafting your summary for a System Administrator position, focus on showcasing your technical expertise, problem-solving abilities, and experience managing complex systems. Use metrics to quantify your achievements and demonstrate the impact you've made in previous roles. Remember to tailor your summary to the specific requirements of the job you're targeting.
The work experience section is the heart of your resume. It's where you show potential employers how you've put your skills into practice and what you've achieved in previous roles. For system administrators, this section is particularly important as it's your chance to showcase your technical expertise and demonstrate the impact you've had in previous positions.
In this section, we'll break down the key steps you should follow when writing your work experience section to create a compelling and effective resume.
System Administrators need to have experience designing and implementing systems, diagnosing and resolving problems, and leading teams and projects. You can emphasize these skills with your action verbs - examples: use Troubleshooted and Resolved to show your problem solving skills.
As you are structuring your bullet points, remember to begin with an action verb. By doing this, you are putting the focus on what you’ve achieved in previous jobs.
For a full list of effective resume action verbs, visit Resume Action Verbs.
As the name suggests, it is important to have strong software and technical skills relating to system administration, often called ‘sysadmin’. Of course, the system administration field is broad, so depending on your area of focus, you may need to know scripting (e.g. Python or Bash), Networking (e.g. LAN/WAN), Databases or work with Operating Systems. Your needed skills will vary depending on if you’re applying for a role as an IT System Administrator, Junior Administrator, or Linux System Administrator so make sure that you read the job description carefully so that you can include any important skills in your bullet points or as a separate skills section.
Adding relevant keywords to your resume will help you get past the Applicant Tracking Systems. These tracking systems are automated filters and the more you’re able to use the specific keywords that the system is looking for, the better chances you’ll have of getting interviews.
You can include the above skills in a dedicated Skills section on your resume, or weave them in your experience. Here's how you might create your dedicated skills section:
This word cloud highlights the important keywords that appear on System Administrator job descriptions and resumes. The bigger the word, the more frequently it appears on job postings, and the more 'important' it is.
Notice how the bullet points start with strong technical verbs (“Configured”, “Implemented”) and are followed by numbers and metrics to quantify their impact.Configured 3500 computers and 2 servers to create a LAN that improved inter-departmental communications, saving $50,000 annually.
Educated over 10,000 employees on phishing risks reducing successful phishing scams by 80%.
Implemented new load-balancing technique that improved client satisfaction from 80% to 99%.
Thank you for the checklist! I realized I was making so many mistakes on my resume that I've now fixed. I'm much more confident in my resume now.
