Network Engineer Resume Example, Skills, & Writing Tips

 $100 an hour. Yes, top network engineers make that. But employers don’t just hand it out to any candidate. You have to fit the job like a fieldbus connector.

And you do! You just have to show it in your network engineering resume.

In this guide:

• A network engineer resume sample better than most.
• How to make a great network engineer job description for resumes.
• How to write a resume for network engineer jobs that zaps your downtime.
• Why you can’t just list network engineer skills (and what to do instead).

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Network Engineer Resume Sample You Can Copy and Use

Here’s how to write a network engineer resume that works:

1. Choose the Right Network Engineer Resume Format

So many network engineer resumes fail before they start. Why? They don’t pay attention to resume formatting. Use these tips for the right protocol:

Network Engineer Resume Format

• Select the reverse-chronological resume format.
• Use one of the respected resume fonts like 10–12pt Cambria or Verdana.
• Make it readable with white space and 1-inch margins.
• Keep the length of your resume to one page.
• Write these resume sections: Heading, Objective, Job Experience, Education, and Skills.
• Always save resumes as PDFs. They migrate well to lots of different screens.

Expert Hint: The median network engineer salary is $82,050. The top jobs pay far above the median. Target the top jobs with a well-tailored resume.

2. Write a Network Engineer Resume Objective or Summary

You have six seconds with your dream employer. Can you convince her to hire you in that tiny time? In fact you have to.

Most hiring teams spend just that long with each networking engineer resume. But don’t sweat it. Six seconds is plenty to hook them with a career objective statement or a summary statement. Make yours right, and you’ll look like a young Chuck Robbins.

Use:

1. One adjective (smart, talented)
2. The words “network engineer”
3. Years of experience (2+, 6+)
4. How/whom you’ll help (serve clients at Sullivan IT)
5. Your coolest network engineer achievements (slashed completion times 20%)

These Cisco network engineer resume examples show the design:

Network Engineer Resume Summary—Example

Smart network administrator with 6+ years experience. Seeking to use proven Cisco skills to serve clients at Sullivan IT Global. At Williams-Seile IT, designed and installed networks of 100+ Cisco devices for 150+ clients. Slashed completion times 20% with solid project management skills. Cisco CCNP certified.

Experienced network engineer, skilled in Cisco networks, cloud management, project management, security, and Windows systems. A true leader and a team player, recognized for my ability to pull together disparate disciplines and create the best possible network outcomes.

Pretend you’re the hiring manager. Which one of those would grab you? It’s the numbers. It’s the details.

But what if your experience is still in packing peanuts? In an entry-level network engineer resume, talk about small things you’ve done.

Network Engineer Objective

Capable network engineer with skills in Cisco system engineering and teamwork. Seeking to create robust systems at low cost for Big Lakes Medical Clinics. As freelancer, designed and created a Windows 2010 network with 7 machines, 15% under budget. Member, NaSPA.

Inexperienced network engineer, seeking full-time position at good IT firm. No network engineering experience yet as a full-time job, but I’m a true team player who knows how to roll up my sleeves and do good work.

Bonus: Save your network engineer resume summary for last. It’s simpler to write that way.

Expert Hint: Certifications matter in an entry-level resume for network engineers. Go for a CompTIA A+, MCSA, VMware, or other certs to stand above the other N00Bs.

The ResumeLab builder is more than looks. Get specific content to boost your chances of getting the job. Add job descriptions, bullet points, and skills. Easy. Improve your resume in our resume builder now.

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3. Electrify Your Network Engineer Job Description and Skills Section

Your network resume can’t just say, “I’ve got experience.” It must say, “I’ve got your experience.” What do I mean?

Look in the job ad for the right skills to put on a resume. Write them down. They’re your resume keywords. Now, show times you’ve used them. Watch these senior network engineer resume samples do it right and wrong:

The job ad wants these network engineer skills: Cisco, automation, VPNs, project management.

Network Engineer Job Description for Resume [Sample]

Experience

Network Engineer

Williams-Seile IT

2016–2019

• Planned, designed, and installed networks for 150+ clients with 100–200 Cisco devices per job. Ensured redundance, scalability, and security on all networks.
• Modified vendor software to automate 30% of time spent on requirements-gathering.
• Created and configured 700+ VPNs for corporate and employee use.
• Used strong project management skills to slash delivery times by 20%.

• Planned, designed, and installed secure networks, both local and wide-area.
• Performed requirements gathering to develop robust, client-centered systems.
• Created enterprise-level networks with lower security risk than previous.
• Performed troubleshooting on load-balancing resulting in less downtime.

The hiring manager who sees the first of those network engineer resume examples will say—“Wow. She’s a Cisco expert and she’s done a ton of VPNs. Plus, she’s got automation and project management experience.”

The numbers are the icing on the cake.

Next let’s see a job description for an entry-level resume: The job ad wants these network engineer skills: Windows 2010 networks, upgrading, efficiency, teamwork.

Entry-Level Network Engineer Resume Job Description [Sample]

Freelance Network Engineer, 2019

• Planned and configured a Windows 2010 network with 7 machines for a local graphic design firm. Completed project 15% under budget.
• Upgraded 10 employees in local financial planning firm to Windows 10.

Team Member

Pizza Hut

2016–2019

• Employee of the month 3x for efficiency and teamwork.

Freelance Network Engineer, 2019

• Worked as freelance network engineer for two clients.
• Planned and developed systems and networks.

Waiter

Pizza Hut

2016–2019

• Worked over 40 hours a week as waiter.
• Provided excellent customer service.
• Stocked cups, silverware, and salad bar.

Worlds apart. But both are the same applicant.

Use these network engineer resume skills to start:

Network Engineer Resume Skills

Hard Skills

• Routing and Switching
• Network Components
• Firewalls
• Services Virtualization
• Security Efficiency
• Converged Systems
• Product Knowledge
• Troubleshooting
• VPNs

Soft Skills

• Interpersonal Skills
• Collaboration
• Communication Skills
• Critical Thinking
• Problem Solving
• Organization
• Attention to Detail
• Presentation

Expert Hint: Just starting with no experience? You may need to start on the help desk or as a network admin assistant. Those look great on networking engineer resumes.

4. Turn Boring Education to a Reason to Hire You

Most network engineers need at least a bachelor’s degree. But you can’t just say you have it.

Your resume’s education section is a place to show more skills. Watch how this network engineer resume sample does it:

Network Engineer Resume Example—Education

Education

BS Computer Science, Beloit College

2009–2013

• Excelled in Cisco classes.
• Pursued a passion for security study.
• Vice president, cloud computing club.

If the job ad wants Cisco, security, and cloud computing, you just turbocharged your resume.

Expert Hint: Want your CCNA certification? Get help from the Todd Lammle books and Wendell Odom’s test guides. If you pass, put it on your network engineering resume.

5. Add “Bonus” Sections to Your Network Engineer Resume

“He’s got the right experience, but is he good to work with?” Prove you are.

Do it with added sections in your network resume. Try a couple of these:

• Association memberships (NaSPA)
• Conferences
• Certifications (CompTIA, CCNP, etc.)
• Projects
• Volunteer work
• Freelancing
• Groups, clubs
• High test scores
• Awards, honors
• Publications
• Additional activities
• Exercise

These network engineer resume examples show how:

Network Engineer Resume—Extra Sections

Certifications

• CCNP - Cisco Systems
• VMware VCP6-DCV

Cisco Exam Scores

• DCUCI Exam - 99%
• DCII Exam - 98%

Additional Activities

• Member, NaSPA
• President of local road cycling club.

Publications

• "Scaling Collaboration" appeared in Cisco Blogs.
• "10 Backup Best Practices" appeared in Network World.

Conferences

• 2019 - ICNP, Spoke on a panel about Cisco networking.
• 2015 - Network and Distributed System Security Symposium.

Additional Activities

• Swimming
• Ski joring

Nothing against ski joring. What a conversation-starter! But that first network engineer resume example is Juniper-worthy.

Expert Hint: Include a cover letter. Your job search will almost automate itself if you show passion and job fit in your network engineer cover letter. Learn how to write a cover letter from our guide.

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Key Points

For a network engineer resume that clicks:

• Use the network engineer resume template up top. It routes all your best achievements to the front.
• Pack your resume sections with accomplishments that fit the job needs.
• Pick resume keywords from the hiring ad online.
• Add some “bonus” sections to show the network engineering force is strong in you.

Got questions on how to write great resumes for network engineer jobs? Not sure how to show network engineer on a resume? Leave a comment. We’ll be happy to reply!

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