IT / Information Technology Specialist Resume—Sample & Tips

Most IT specialist resumes have hiring managers looking for the close button.

No, it’s not the technical detail that gets them—

It’s the tone-deaf way some IT specialists try to make their case.

Like recommending Linux on a forum full of frustrated Windows fans.

Make sure your IT specialist resume hits the mark—

Like getting network printing to work on the first try.

In this guide:

• An IT specialist resume sample better than most.
• How to create the perfect IT specialist job description for resumes.
• How to write a resume for IT specialist jobs that stands out.
• Expert tips and examples to boost your chances of landing an IT specialist job.

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Looking for a different kind of IT resume? Still at school and getting ready for the next step? These are just some of our guides:

• IT Resume Example
• IT Support Resume Example
• Help Desk Resume Example
• Tech Support Resume Example
• Computer Science Resume Example
• Computer Technician Resume Example
• IT Director Resume Example
• IT Project Manager Resume Example
• Network Engineer Resume Example
• Network Administrator Resume Example
• System Administrator Resume Example
• Consultant Resume Example
• Resume Examples for Every Job

IT Specialist Resume Sample

Now here’s how to write a IT specialist resume they’ll love:

1. Load the Right IT Specialist Resume Format

Cable management says a lot about a person.

So does the way your IT specialist resume looks at arm’s length—

And reads at first glance.

So:

Make your resume format as clean and cozy as a well-riced tiling window manager. Here’s how to format your resume for optimum performance:

IT Specialist Resume Format

• Use the chronological resume layout—it’s what hiring managers expect to see.
• Choose a decent resume font like Arial, Garamond, or Noto in 11–12 pt.
• Set your resume margins to one inch all round and don’t crowd the page.
• Maintain the right resume length. How many pages should resume be? For most IT specialists, the answer is one page.A second page won’t throw BSODs, but it’s best left for IT specialists with 20+ years’ experience.
• Include these resume sections: Resume header, Profile (Summary or Objective), Experience, Education, and Skills.

If the job ad doesn’t specify a preferred file format, then default to PDF for your resume.

If it does, then always go with that.

Why would anyone want a .docx instead of a PDF, you may be asking: 

It’s because some Applicant Tracking Systems (ATSs) can’t parse PDFs.

So when creating an ATS resume, double-check if the employer prefers a specific file format for resumes. Otherwise, your job application might get rejected just because the ATS couldn't read your perfectly formatted PDF file.

2. Start With an Attention-Grabbing IT Specialist Resume Objective or Summary

An installer that bombards you with EULAs and forces you to opt-in to this and that—

Hardly leaves you with positive feelings towards the software.

First impressions matter:

So make the right one with your resume profile.

Got a year or more of experience as an IT specialist?

Then go with a resume summary for your profile.

Use:

1. One adjective (knowledgeable, reliable, friendly)
2. Job title (IT Specialist)
3. Years of experience (1+, 5+)
4. How you’ll help (ensure the smooth running of Company ABC’s IT systems)
5. Two or three of your most relevant achievements (securely erased 30+ HDDs and 10+ SSDs for on-selling, reduced journalling on servers, increasing efficiency by 3–7%)

These IT specialist resume summary statement examples show how:

Information Technology Specialist Resume Examples—Summary

Dedicated IT specialist with 5+ years’ experience working with server and user-facing systems. Seeking opportunity to help Company ABC keep its servers running smoothly while reducing overheads. At Noell, installed, configured, and routinely upgraded software and hardware for 220+ end-users and reduced journalling on servers for a 3–7% increase in efficiency.

IT specialist with 5 years’ experience. Seeking opportunity to join a zany company with great benefits and fruit baskets in the kitchen. At Noell, installed, configured, and routinely upgraded software and hardware for end-users and reduced journalling on servers on own initiative.

Catch that?

The first example is all about what the candidate can do for their new employer.

It focuses on concrete professional accomplishments and quantifies everything possible.

Great, but what if you’re just starting out?

Go with a resume objective instead and talk up achievements from non-IT-specialist jobs.

Here are two resume objectives statement examples for IT specialists: 

Information Technology Specialist Resume Objective—Examples

Energetic IT specialist with 10+ months’ experience working with user-facing systems. Seeking opportunity to help Company ABC keep its IT services running smoothly while reducing overheads. At Nightal, securely erased 30+ HDDs and 10+ SSDs for on-selling and prepared 120+ new user accounts for the company’s email system, intranet, and e-learning platform.

Very little experience working independently as an IT specialist, but keen to learn and grow. Really pumped for fruit baskets in the kitchen and possibly muffins.

Once again—

The first example puts numbers to everything it can—

And focuses on what the candidate can do to help, not what they hope to get.

Expert hint: Feeling stuck? Here’s a simple hack: write your resume profile last. It’ll be much easier to compile a ‘best of’ once you’ve completed the rest of your resume. 

3. Create the Perfect IT Specialist Job Description and Skills Sections

The best indicator of future performance?

Past performance.

So—

Make your resume work history speak to your suitability as much as your past.

How to write a job description for IT specialists:

1. Go back over the job ad.
2. Grep for all the IT specialist skills and duties.
3. Think of times you’ve used those skills to crush expectations.
4. Write resume bullet points that describe and quantify those situations.

These IT specialist resume examples show how:

IT Specialist Job Description for a Resume

IT Specialist

Noell, Inc., NYC

October 2018–present

• Co-authored 150+ pages of documentation on the company’s backup and data security protocols.
• Performed cost analysis of the company's telephony system in light of VOIP alternatives, proposed a solution that will bring in savings of over $15,500 p.a.
• Installed, configured, and routinely upgraded software and hardware for 220+ end users.
• Reduced journalling on servers, increasing efficiency by 3–7%.

IT Specialist

Noell, Inc.

2018–present

• Co-authored documentation on the company’s backup and data security protocols.
• Performed cost analysis of the company's telephony system in light of VOIP alternatives.
• Installed, configured, and routinely upgraded software and hardware for end users.
• Reduced journalling on servers.

As different as 0s and 1s.

The first example uses concrete, quantified achievements to impress and convince. The second lacks the raw data to achieve either of these goals. 

Your next ticket:

Pick the skills to put on your resume.

Which doesn’t mean scraping the web for every IT skill. Instead, Cover what the job ad requires and alludes to and not much more.

Review the job posting, checking for specific resume keywords that point to skills. Once you have those identified, pick ten and put them on your resume. Don’t lie in your job application, though: include only the skills you actually possess. 

Here’s a list to get you started: 

Skills for an IT Specialist Resume

Hard skills

• Project management
• Information systems
• Information security
• Technical support
• Data storage
• Network configuration
• Database administration
• Cloud synchronization
• Scripting and automation
• Troubleshooting

Soft skills

• Social media
• Customer service
• Communication skills
• Problem solving
• Time management
• Organization
• Teamwork
• Collaboration
• Critical thinking
• Attention to detail

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4. Turn Underperforming Education Into a Reason to Hire You

So many CS degrees—

So, so many.

You feel run-of-the-mill if you have one, and inadequate if you don’t.

Chin up—

Do your education justice.

First, list your degrees, schools, and graduation years. Then add bonus bullets that show your IT prowess and relevant soft skills.

This IT specialist resume example shows how:

IT Specialist Resume Example—Education Section

BS in Computer Science

New York Institute of Technology, NYC

Expected graduation: 2022

• Pursued a passion for network security coursework.
• Maintained a 3.92 GPA. 

Short on IT specialist experience? 

Expand your resume education section to include relevant projects, classes, and accomplishments.

5. Sed Some Extra Sections Into Your IT Specialist Resume

Experience, education, and skills.

Everything your potential employer needs to know about you is right there, right?

Of course not.

So—

Add one or two bonus sections:

• Additional Activities
• Foreign Languages
• Classes Taken
• Awards
• Hobbies and Interests
• Volunteering
• Certifications
• Professional References

These two IT specialist resume examples show yes vs no:

IT Specialist Resume Examples—Extra Sections

Certifications

• CompTIA Certification, Lehman College, NY, 2016

Software

• Office suites (LibreOffice, MS Office, OnlyOffice)
• Operating systems (Linux, BSD, Windows, macOS)
• Mathematics (MatLab)
• Statistics (MiniTab)
• CAD (OpenSCAD)
• Text editors (Vim, EMACS)

Programming Languages

• C++
• BASH (scripting)
• Haskell

Certifications

• CompTIA

Software

• Office suites, operating systems, mathematics software, statistics software, CAD software, text editors

Hobbies and Interests

• Propagating basil plants from shoots
• Harvesting pine nuts in the wild
• Making paleo pesto

Night, meet day.

And it’s not like there’s something wrong with including your hobbies and interests, it’s just that every single thing you include has to be directly relevant to the job ad.

One last restart:

You need a cover letter to go with your resume, unless the job ad specifically tells you not to include one.

Assuming you’re not quite so lucky, make sure to write a strong cover letter that proves how well you fit the role and company. 

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Key Points

For an IT specialist resume that gets interviews:

• Use the IT specialist resume template up top. It’s as clean and organized as a newly reinstalled operating system.
• Put IT specialist achievementsin your summary, work history, and education sections to show you’ve been handling this kind of stuff for a while.
• Choose the right IT specialist skills. The job ad should tell you exactly what those are.
• Write an IT specialist cover letter. Use it to put not only your achievements but also your passion on display.

Got any lingering questions on how to write your best IT specialist resume ever? Leave a comment down below, we can’t wait and will be sure to reply.

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