System Administrator resume example
What makes this resume great
This resume is a strong example for a System Administrator because it demonstrates a clear career progression from IT Support Specialist to Senior System Administrator, showing growth and increasing responsibility. The candidate lists a robust set of technical skills relevant to modern system administration, including both Windows and Linux environments, virtualization, cloud platforms, and scripting. The education section is concise and relevant, and the work experience covers over a decade in IT, which is highly valued. The inclusion of both technical and disaster recovery skills highlights a well-rounded professional. The resume is also well-structured, making it easy for recruiters to quickly assess qualifications.
Resume summary examples for System Administrator
Example #1
Strong Summary
Experienced Senior System Administrator with 10+ years managing Windows and Linux environments, specializing in virtualization, cloud infrastructure, and network security. Proven track record of optimizing system performance and leading disaster recovery initiatives.
Weak Summary
I have worked as a system administrator for several years and am familiar with different operating systems.
Example #2
Strong Summary
Results-driven IT professional with expertise in Active Directory, VMware, AWS, and automation scripting. Adept at troubleshooting complex issues and implementing robust security protocols.
Weak Summary
I know how to use Active Directory and VMware and can fix problems when they come up.
Example #3
Strong Summary
Detail-oriented System Administrator with a strong background in server administration, cloud solutions, and disaster recovery planning. Committed to maintaining high system uptime and security standards.
Weak Summary
I have experience with servers and cloud and try to keep things running smoothly.
Resume achievement examples for System Administrator
Example #1
Strong Achievement
Reduced server downtime by 40% over two years by implementing proactive monitoring and automated remediation scripts.
Weak Achievement
Helped reduce server downtime at my last job.
Example #2
Strong Achievement
Migrated 150+ on-premises servers to AWS, resulting in a 30% reduction in infrastructure costs and improved scalability.
Weak Achievement
Moved some servers to the cloud to save money.
Example #3
Strong Achievement
Led a disaster recovery project that improved recovery time objectives (RTO) from 12 hours to under 2 hours for critical business systems.
Weak Achievement
Worked on disaster recovery plans to make sure systems could be restored.
Essential skills for a System Administrator
- Windows Server Administration
- Linux Administration
- Active Directory
- VMware
- AWS
- Network Security
- PowerShell
- Bash Scripting
- Disaster Recovery
- Troubleshooting
Resume best practices
Tailor Your Resume for a System Administrator
Customize your resume for the specific position you're applying for. Use keywords from the job description and highlight the most relevant experience.
Keep It Concise and Focused
Ideally, your resume should be one page (two if you have extensive experience). Focus on achievements and essential information and avoid fluff.
Use a Clean, Professional Format
Stick to a simple layout with consistent font, spacing, and section headings. Use bullet points for readability. Avoid overly decorative fonts or colors.
Start with a Strong Summary
Write a compelling summary or objective at the top that briefly outlines your background, key skills, and what you bring to being a System Administrator.
Emphasize Achievements Over Duties
Use bullet points to describe what you accomplished as a System Administrator, not just what you were responsible for. Include measurable results when possible (e.g., "Increased sales by 25% in six months").
Use Action Verbs
Start bullet points with strong action verbs like "Led," "Developed," "Improved," "Streamlined," to convey impact and ownership.
Highlight Skills and Tools
Create a dedicated skills section that includes technical tools, software, or soft skills relevant to being a System Administrator (e.g., Excel, Python, CRM systems, leadership, communication).
Include Education and Certifications
List your educational background and any relevant certifications or ongoing courses. Mention GPA if it’s strong (generally above 3.5) and you're early in your career.
Proofread Carefully
Avoid spelling or grammatical errors since they can be deal-breakers. Ask someone else to review your resume or use tools like Grammarly.