The changes in technology have brought many changes in the network engineering field, making it dynamic and competitive. So how do you keep up with these changes and stay ahead of the competition?
Charles Lewis Network Engineer 263-988-110 charleslewis@gmail.com San Francisco, CA linkedin.com/in/charleslewis
Professional summary
Detail-driven Network Engineer with eight years of expertise in network technologies and infrastructure security. Highly skilled developer with a background in designing and implementing effective business network systems. Deep commitment to protecting customer data by maintaining robust network security.
Work experience
WCAD Technology Senior Network Engineer June 2018-Date
Supervised 8 team members to resolve obstacles to projects relating to network design, following the company's best practices strategies.
Advised on and initiated plans to migrate legacy applications and content to network administration programs.
Installed social networking software and provided instructions to staff from various departments on using the network devices.
Edison International Junior Network Engineer March 2016-May 2018
Collaborated with the software engineer and project manager in meetings to discuss expected deadlines, new designs, and enhancements for our network services.
Gave customers updates on the progress of resolving their issues and concerns regarding the network performance.
Explained system load limitations to the senior network engineer to plan effective strategies to meet customer needs.
Education
Bachelor of Applied Science - Computer Network Engineering New York University December 2015
Upgrading your skills is a great start. However, what's most important is learning how to present those skills and your professional experience on your network engineer resume.
In this article, we'll help you craft a professional resume that captures the recruiter's attention. Here are some of the topics we'll cover:
A resume example to guide you as you write your resume.
How to write your resume summary for a network engineer.
The right skills to add to your resume.
How to choose the best format for your resume.
Salary & employment rates for network engineers
According to the U.S. Bureau of Statistics, the employment of network and computer systems administrators is projected to grow 5 percent from 2020 to 2030.
The industries with the highest levels of employment in Network and Computer Systems Administrators include:
Computer Systems Design and Related Services
Management of Companies and Enterprises
Colleges, Universities, and professional schools
Local government, excluding schools and hospitals
Elementary and secondary schools
The average salary for network engineers varies depending on their education, skills and professional experiences as follows:
0-2 years - $73,000
2-4 years - $91,000
4-7 years - $107,000
7-10 years - 128,000
10+ years - $135,000
How to Create a Resume for Network Engineering
Network engineers are experts in an evolving tech field and should have knowledge of programming languages, cisco networks, and should be able to tackle technical issues.
They should also have great interpersonal skills to work well with their colleagues and clients.
Each position will have specific requirements, so you'll need to tailor your resume to match those requirements. Hiring managers will quickly know if you're using a generic resume, so it's advisable to write a new resume for every job you're applying for.
Check out our resume examples with some great resume guides to help you craft your resume. Here are some other engineering resume guides that might interest you.
The structure of your network engineer resume should have the following sections:
The header
The professional summary/ objective
Work experience section
Education section
Skills section
An additional section(computer skills and certifications, languages, publications, awards/honors and interests)
The layout for this resume
You could be the best candidate for a network engineering position and not get it if the I.T manager cannot read your resume. The layout should make your resume easy to readand understand by using easy-to-read fonts and a font size of 10-12pt. Some of the fonts you can consider include Arial, Cambria, Calibri, Georgia, Times New Roman, and Helvetica.
The perfect resume template allows you to structure your resume and keep the design neat and simple. Check out our resume templates which will help you create your resume.
Best resume format for a network engineer
The right resume format allows the hiring manager to see your best qualifications first. There are three formats that you can choose from.
The first one is the reverse-chronological order which focuses on experience. This format is perfect for candidates who have years of experience. Hiring managers also love it because it's easy to scan on the applicant tracking systems.
The second format is the functional resume format which focuses on your skills. It's also called a skills-based resume and is perfect for recent graduates and career changers.
The third format is the combination/hybrid resume format. It combines the best features of the reverse-chronological and functional resume formats and is perfect for candidates with the perfect blend of skills and experience.
Start with the Header Section
The header contains your personal details, which include:
Your full name
Job title
Phone number
Professional email address
Location
A link to your LinkedIn profile.
This section is critical, and you should proofread it to ensure that your details are accurate.
A good header
CORRECT
Kathleen Philip
Network Engineer
537-093-113
kathleenphilip@gmail.com
Half Moon Bay, CA
linkedin.com/in/kathleenphilip
A bad header
INCORRECT
Kathleen Philip
Network Engineer
537-093-113
kathleenphilip@gmail.com
4998 Thunder Road
House number 25
Half Moon Bay, CA
Date of birth 02/02/1988
linkedin.com/in/kathleenphilip
📌The header should be brief and only have the relevant personal information.
How to Showcase Your Experience in Your Resume
The work experience section gives the recruiter an idea of what you can do based on your previous work history. As an individual working in a technical field, you need to show the hiring manager that you've handled various projects in your field and succeeded.
Under this section, you'll add your previous jobs, starting with the most recent one. Add the name of the workplace, your job title and the period you worked at each place.
📌Always prioritize the most relevant positions to the job you're applying for.
Once you've added this information, list three to five responsibilities at each workplace and quantify your achievements with figures and facts. This is a great way to stand out and beat the competition.
The job description will give you an idea of what the recruiter is looking for, so check it out. Use the right keywords and action verbs as you list the duties to ensure that the ATS systems do not filter out your resume.
📌Hiring teams use software known as applicant tracking systems to filter out resumes that don't meet the set criteria, and using these keywords will help your resume get past this software.
If you're writing an entry-level resume and don't have the relevant experience, you can add professional experiences that showcase transferable skills useful in the new job.
For graduate and entry-level network engineers
Sayers International
Network Engineer Intern
February 2018-February 2019
Conducted tests on all network devices to eliminate bugs and correct issues prior to the product going live.
Wrote user manuals, instructions, technical papers, whitepapers, and documents for I.T. support.
Assisted the project manager with performing disaster recovery operations and data backups for our clients.
For mid-level candidates
Amobee
Junior Network Engineer
August 2014-March 2017
Collaborated with the engineering team to evaluate and optimize the interconnected workings of hardware and software.
Followed all routing protocols and ensured installations, testing, and code corrections were done properly to produce high-quality final systems.
Created work schedules and business solutions to fix wireless networks and resolve customer complaints and issues.
For senior network engineers
Lighthouse
Senior Network Engineer
October 2017-June 2020
Made detailed notes of technical specifications and testing strategies for the systems administration department to use as a guide when completing other assignments.
Conducted training for network engineering employees joining the department.
Collaborated with developmental team members to improve the network infrastructure for our clients.
Education: Include your Academic Background
The education section is crucial for any engineer, and most network engineers need at least a bachelor's degree in computer science or a related field to get a job. If you have a Master's degree, you have a better chance of landing the position, so don't leave it out of your resume.
Every position is different, so you should check the job ad to determine the educational qualifications the hiring manager requires.
If you have a Master's, you don't have to add your high school diploma.
List your educational achievements, starting with the highest qualification. You'll add the name of the degree/diploma, the name of the school, and the year of completion.
Example of the education in a network engineering resume
Master's Degree in Computer and Network Engineering
University of Southern California
2018
Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science
University of Southern California
2016
Skills for a Network Engineer Resume
The skills section allows you to list the unique abilities that make you the best candidate for the job. A network engineer job requires certain technical skills that help you perform your duties diligently.
📌Hiring managers use the skills to filter out resumes that don't meet the requirements, so it's important to check the job description and include the right network engineer skills.
The right blend of hard and soft skills is essential for every candidate. Hard skills will allow you to tackle technical duties, while soft skills allow you to relate well with your colleagues and clients.
If you're a recent graduate and don't have much experience, use this section to add your transferable skills and show the recruiter how they'll be beneficial in the role.
Here is a list of skills you can add to your network engineering resume.
Hard skills
SQL Server
Disaster Recovery Auditing
VXLAN designs and troubleshooting
Network debugging
Systems Implementation
Project management
MS-DOS
Firewalls and endpoint security
Structural cabling infrastructure
Network configuration
Soft skills
Time management
Communication skills
Problem-solving
Decision-making
Attention to detail
Negotiation skills
Interpersonal skills
Critical thinking
Organization skills
Teamwork
Professional Summary for a Network Engineer
The professional summary is a short paragraph introducing your resume after the header. It consists of two to three sentences that summarize your top accomplishments. This section must be catchy to get the recruiter's attention and get them to read the rest of your resume.
CORRECT EXAMPLE
Experienced network engineer with ten years of wide-ranging expertise in the design and layout of network systems and extensive training in several programming languages and coding. Highly skilled in cisco networks and implementing a network infrastructure for clients in multiple fields. Looking for a challenging role in a values-led company like Cubic Corporation that offers an opportunity for technical development.
💡The example above highlights the candidate's years of experience and the skills that make them the best person for the job.
INCORRECT EXAMPLE
I.T. expert with expertise in network administration and communicating with data. Looking for a position in your company for career advancement.
💡The example above fails to highlight the experience and skills that make them a unique candidate.
Professional objective (and when to use it)
A network engineer resume objective serves the same purpose as a resume summary. However, it's appropriate for individuals who don't have experience and accomplishments to add to their resumes, like recent graduates and career changers. It allows them to summarize their career goals and express their interest in theposition.
CORRECT EXAMPLE
Hardworking network engineering graduate with detailed computer network development knowledge and exceptional written and verbal communication skills. Seeking a position in quality-assurance testing and customer service consulting at Skytap Ltd.
💡The example above highlights the candidate's interest in the position and the skills that will allow them to perform their duties effectively.
Additional Sections for Your Resume
An additional section allows you to show the hiring manager why you're the right candidate. The right additions to your resume can turn things around for you and bring your job search to an end.
This is also a great way to highlight achievements you don't want the recruiter to miss. Remember that most recruiters take a few seconds on your resume, so it's easy for them to miss some vital details.
Here are some sections you can consider for your network engineer resume.
Computing skills & certifications
A career as a network engineer will require advanced computing skills. While you can add them in the skills section, it's always better to add them in this section. This ensures that they stand out and reduces the chances of the recruiter missing them as they glance at your resume.
Certifications always help set you apart from the other candidates and should have a separate section. They show the recruiter you have additional training, which increases your chance of landing the job. Here are some certifications for network engineers:
CCNP(Cisco Certified Network Professional)
CCIE(Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert)
Python
AWS Certified Advanced Networking
Languages
Bilingual candidates always have the edge over the other candidates. Always add your languages under their section using the official language reference as follows:
Goethe Zertifikat for German
TOEFL or IELTS for English
Delf for French
Publications
This section is essential if your work has been published in a journal or magazine. When listing the publication, you'll add the title of the publication, the name of the journal or magazine, and the year of publication. Remember to add a link to the publication so that the recruiter can check it out.
Example of a Publication
"Cisco Pros and cons," IEEE Transaction on Network Science and Engineering
July 2017
Tips to Boost Your Resume
Create a new and fresh resume for each job application to avoid using a generic resume for multiple applications.
Add the relevant skills and professional experience to your resume.
Use specific keywords and action verbs in the job description to help your resume get past the applicant tracking systems.
Choose the right layout and format for your resume.
Start your resume with a compelling resume summary or objective.
Proofread your resume to ensure it doesn't have mistakes.
Summary: Writing a Perfect Resume for Jobs at Network Engineering
The structure of your resume should have all the critical sections.
The details in the header section must be correct.
The resume summary or objective should be short and capture your best achievements.
Quantify your achievements with facts and figures in the work experience section.
List your skills using bullet points to make them more visible.
Have the right blend of hard and soft skills in your resume.
The additional section ensures that the recruiter doesn't miss the skills and achievements you want to highlight in a separate section.
Write a Proper Cover Letter for Your Resume
A cover letter completes your application, and you should always accompany your resume with one unless the recruiter says otherwise. It showcases your writing skills and personality as you give more details on your accomplishments and express your interest in the position. Check out our cover letter examples.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring network engineers?
According to Glassdoor, the companies hiring for network engineer jobs include:
AT&T
Verizon
S. Army
Cisco Systems
Amazon
Spectrum
Comcast
S. Air Force
Which careers can you get into with a network engineering degree?
CORRECT
INCORRECT
