All in One Professional Systems Engineer Resume Writing Guide

Moreover, the writing tips in this guide will walk you through the perils of an applicant tracking system, creating a compatible system engineer resume. Getting past an applicant tracking system is no easy job provided you have the right things in the right place.

Considering the above statements let's begin our writing guide with a system engineer resume example.

The total word count of the system engineer resume example below is 290 words (2283 characters) and all of them will easily fit on a single page leaving enough white space in and around. Since the standard length of a professional resume is 1.4 pages we will stick to the one-page rule making it effortless for the hiring managers to read. So, here's the resume example.

Now that you have a working example of a system engineer resume in a prescribed format and layout let's talk about the same in specific details. For your information from here on our writing guide will initiate. Therefore, don't skip anything, read mindfully, and if anything is troubling you then let us know in the comment section.

The All-in-One System Engineer Resume Writing Guide

This detailed guide will communicate three basic elements of a professional resume. The content, format, and the layout. All three of them are necessary since they collectively will generate a document called the system engineer resume. This will further be scanned by an applicant tracking system and thereafter read by a hiring manager.

Determining the importance of the process let's explore these three basic elements in wide detail beginning with the format. So, here are the details.

System Engineer Resume Format

A resume format is predominantly concerned with how you layer different sections and for that, we have four formats available at our exposure. Here's the list.

• Reverse chronological
• Functional format
• Hybrid aka combination format
• Creative resume format

The reverse chronological format is ideally used in almost 90% of resumes existing on this planet compared to the other three. Now that may not be entirely true because system engineers having exceptional technical skills rely on the functional format to highlight their professional expertise in front of the hiring managers.

Additionally, if there are major gaps in the employment history, the functional format will skillfully hide them drawing all the attention of the hiring managers towards the key skills. We won't discuss the hybrid format since it is outdated and using it can make your system engineer resume lengthy.

Out of all these formats, the creative resume format is unique and needs a little background on the design and creativity edge. However, if you are determined to use a creative format we have the best collection of readymade resume templates for you. The ready-to-use resume template are eye-soothing and compatible with the resume builder tool hence, there's no question of not using them. Click here to browse those resume templates now.

System Engineer Resume Layout

Upon observing the image below you will know there are six predefined elements in a resume. These six sections are further adorned with their respective sub-sections, for instance, the key skills may have further bifurcation into technical skills and soft skills.

Similarly, the additional information section may have a series of sub-sections like language, certificate, apprenticeship, internship, awards, social media profiles, portfolio, website, blogs, vlogs, and much more. Wait there's more to the resume layout topic but we will talk about it after explaining individual sections of the system engineer resume so that you can better understand the topic in depth.

Are you writing a perfect resume header in the systems engineer resume?

Composing contact details in a systems engineer resume accurately seems an easy job because there's no chance in there for things to take a wrong turn. The entire section is weighed lightly when it comes to writing an error-free header section in a professional resume.

Surprisingly applicants make outrageous errors here too by mentioning details that aren't required hoping that will impress the hiring managers and get them an interview call. However, that's a wrong assumption. An interview selection procedure doesn't happen on assumption. You need solid and standard content to convince the hiring manager.

Compare the examples of a perfect resume header below. Learn how to write it for your own system engineer resume examples.

Right ✅

Samuel D. Fisher Senior System Engineer

Seattle, Washington

+1 425-967-4890

samuelfisher@gmail.com linkedin.com/samuel-fisher

Wrong ❌

Samuel D. Fisher Senior System Engineer

2735 Scenicview Drive

Seattle, WA 98101

+1 425-967-4890

samuelfisher@gmail.com

41 years old

March 8, 1982

6'0" (183 cm)

Things You Should Never Write in a Systems Engineer Resume

After scrutinizing the above examples here are some pointers to assist you in writing a resume whether it is for a robotics engineer or a systems engineer. Read below.

• Dodge the birth dates and social security numbers.
• Avoid personal social media links instead of a professional LinkedIn profile.
• Skip to mention height, weight, and athletic measurements altogether.
• Don't attempt to add unwanted information to annoy the hiring managers.

Is the system engineer resume summary dragging you behind?

If there's anything that could compromise your chances of getting an interview call then it is the discrepancies in the systems engineer resume summary. A summary is an opening statement and an introduction to the hiring manager regarding professional achievements. Now if the opening statement has serious defects then even gods can't save your resume ending up in the trash.

The question is how to escape the misfortune of writing a wrong systems engineer resume summary. There's a formula to write a summary or even an objective statement. Here it is.

How to write a systems engineer resume summary?

The formula to compile the first sentence in a systems engineer resume summary is - Action verb + years of experience + educational background + 2-3 relevant skills. Begin the second sentence with a power word followed by an exception achievement in a past or a current job. Follow the same if you are writing a third sentence.

Begin the final sentence with seeking a position as a systems engineer and then add the company name. By doing this you are creating a personalized reading experience for the hiring manager. It works magically.

Compare the examples of the systems engineer resume summary below. Learn how to write it in your own system engineer resume examples.

Right ✅

Certified systems engineering professional with a master's degree in computer engineering having more than ten years of experience working with complex systems. Have unrivaled technical skills in network security, systems architecture, and data management with the competency to offer technical support. Proficient in assembling system components using technical expertise. Seeking a senior systems engineer position at Vibrant Technologies to leverage my engineering skills.

Wrong ❌

I am a certified systems engineering professional with a master degree in engineering. I also have 10+ years of system engineering experience working with complex systems. My unrivaled technical skills in network security and competency in technical support will help the company. I am proficient in assembling system components by leveraging my technical expertise. I am seeking a senior systems engineer position in your company to enhance my systems engineering skills.

3 System Engineer Resume Summary Examples

Apart from what we read so far here are three systems engineer resume summary examples for your reading references. Use them as a template to develop a summary statement for yourself.

Are you struggling to compile the systems engineer experience history in the resume?

Work experience is of critical importance parallel to a resume summary in engineering resumes. It is because the job experience enhances your hard and soft skills and based on these key skills you sail across a highly competitive job market. But wait there's a twist here.

In a technology-oriented resume such as the systems engineer the primary focus must be on the impact and the technology used to generate the impact on the business. Then you must describe the work done in the server technology, systems, and web applications. Also, the programming languages that you know or have been working on and accomplished x number of projects using that coding language.

Unless you don't describe such expertise in the job experience section a hiring manager would not consider your systems engineer resume over others. To help you smoothly navigate through these complexity here are some helpful tips to write the work history in a systems engineer resume.

Tips to write work experience in systems engineer resume?

• First things first, use the reverse chronological order to layer the experience section effectively so that hiring managers can consume the content.
• Describe only the last ten years of experience or else the resume length will explode and extend up to two or maybe three pages.
• Use bullet points and avoid using emojis or unnecessary geometrical shapes in the systems engineer resume to maintain its professional vibes.
• Write 4-5 sentences for each job experience and begin your sentences with power words like administer, analyze, built, collaborate, etc.
• Make use of the job description published by hiring managers to select keywords and include them in your systems engineer resume.
• Go through another engineering resume to find out the format, layout, length, and professional language used. Copy the template to use it in your resume or else use our readymade resume template.

Follow the above tips and you will see that a spectacular work history has been created to overcome the challenges. Compare the examples of work experiences below. Learn how to write it in your own system engineer resume examples.

Right ✅

Senior System Engineer

NXT Certified Systems

Seattle, Washington

2019-Present

• Implemented vigorous cyber security protocols to resolve issues and mitigate the risk of hurting storage systems.
• Led a team of 12 system engineers working to improve efficiency of the Microsoft Windows operating systems.
• Administered security measures to remote system engineers and monitored the system performance using a virtual network.

Wrong ❌

Senior System Engineer

NXT Certified Systems

Seattle, Washington

2019-Present

• Implemented cyber security protocols.
• Led a team of 12 system engineers.
• Administered security measures.

List of Power Verbs for Work Experience

Here are some power verbs that you can use to begin the sentences while describing the systems engineer experience. Copy them and place them at the beginning of every sentence.

Keywords from Job Description for Work Experience

The following keywords must be used across the systems engineer resume not limited to the work experience section. Use them wherever applicable based on the type of keywords.

Did you add key skills to the systems engineer resume?

Assisting other system engineers to improve efficiency or collaborating with a cross-functional team are key skills that must be on the systems engineer resume. Refer to the job description carefully and read the required skills section. By doing this you will estimate the number of skills required for a technical job search.

Key skills on a systems engineer resume tell the recruiter that you are capable of handling the given task with productive output. That's the whole story. But there's another side of the coin. Technological job search candidates simply put down keywords in their resumes. For example, active directory.

When you do this the reader will find it tough to apprehend what you are trying to convey. This is why you must construct a proper phrase around a keyword to make it sound like a key skill. Compare the examples of the key skills section below. Learn how to write it in your own system engineer resume examples.

Right ✅

• Testing operating systems
• Monitoring system performance
• Troubleshooting networking issues

Wrong ❌

• Operating systems
• System performance
• Networking issues

Common Terms to be included in the Key Skills Section

These terms are technical and technological as well, hence, integrating them in the key skills section will add a few browny points for you.

How to add an education section to a systems engineer resume?

Simply writing information technology, computer engineering, or computer science in the education section will not account for a qualification. The educational information must adhere to the qualifications needed for the job title. To help you with writing the easiest part compare the examples of education section below. Learn how to write it in your own system engineer resume examples.

Right ✅

Master's in Computer Engineering

Washington Computer Engineering College

Seattle, Washington

2008 – 2011

Wrong ❌

Education Bachelor

Washington College

Seattle, Washington

2008

Common Terms for the Education Section

We have defined keywords from the job description for the experience and skills sections. Similarly, we have compiled a list of key terms to be included in the education section. Here they are.

What additional details to include in the systems engineer resume for bonus points?

Additional details are add-ons in a resume and a candidate must take advantage of this particular space. Below is the list of items you can add to a professional resume showcasing the other side of your personality. Here you go.

• Language
• Certificates
• Membership
• Awards
• Recognition
• Apprenticeship
• Internship
• Published books
• Website
• Programming languages
• System engineering projects
• Portfolio
• Blogs & Vlogs

Why Your System Engineer Resume is Not Working?

There could be a plethora of reasons why your systems engineer resume is not working or keeps getting rejected by both the applicant's tracking systems and the recruiters. Hence, instead of pointing out unaccounted pointers without substantial evidence we will look into different aspects of writing a professional resume step-by-step and figure out why this is happening.

Using orthodox methods

We have explained modern methods to compile a resume while maintaining the standard format and layout. Hence, if you are still using a conventional and outdated format or layout then there are high chances of rejection. For example, adding multiple color themes, and geometrical shapes, using large and/or curvy fonts, and much more.

Too lengthy resume

A professional resume must be a single page long but we have come across system engineer resume examples that are more than one page. There's one reason why the length goes beyond the standard line. Writing an extended job experience section is one reason for experienced candidates since they have a lot to say. The solution is to limit the information to up to 10 years of work history in a precise format.

Not reading the job description

A job description is a set of information published by a recruiter telling job seekers what does a hiring company desires from the candidate. For example, process automation, system engineering experience, computer science as a qualification, key skills, and a lot more. Now if an applicant doesn't pay attention to the job description details the resume won't last long.

Incomplete Information

Furnishing the necessary details is the first step to qualify for a job application. Once your professional particulars are in place the hiring process begins by letting you know about the interview dates. The biggest reason why more than 75% of resumes get rejected is the unfurnished items in a professional resume. Therefore, double-check all the data in your resume before sending the application.

Spelling mistakes and typos

Gone are the days when we heavily relied on our grammar skills inherited during our school and college days. Now we have AI tools to check spelling, grammar, and sentences. For this, we recommend none other than the legendary Grammarly tool.

A freemium version is available, hence, you don't need to spend a fortune for a premium subscription. If you search the internet you will find a ton of AI tools to detect spelling and grammatical errors completely free.

Conclusion

There are a lot of topics in this guide that we have discussed in great detail. We are pretty sure that after reading this systems engineer resume guide you will be ready to create a professional resume for yourself. In that case, let us know your experience and the pain points where you struggled to write.

System Engineering Resume FAQs

This is the last item in the systems engineer resume guide and we hope this will help you sort out the last remaining queries concerning a resume. Feel free to ask us anything about this guide.