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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.”
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.
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.
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.
