Linux Administrator Resume (with Samples & Tips)

Each company may have different needs from a linux system administrator. However, they act as the point person between the organization and the end-user in most cases. They also coordinate internal teams to drive projects and improvements.

Most medium to large organizations are constantly looking for a qualified linux system administrator. If you're looking for your next opportunity, a linux administrator resume that stands out is a great place to start.

Crafting an outstanding resume is not always an easy task, but the right resume examples can be a great guide. This article will also give you some tips to help you create an exceptional resume. Some of the topics we'll cover include:

• How to add your linux administrator experience.
• A linux systems administrator resume example like no other.
• The best skills for a systems administrator
• The right resume format and layout for your resume

Salary & Employment rates for linux administrators

According to the U.S. Bureau of Statistics, there will be a 5 percent growth in the employment of network and computer systems administrators from 2020 to 2030.

The industries with the highest levels of employment in Network and Computer Systems Administrators:

• Computer Systems Design and Related Services
• Management of Companies and Enterprises
• Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools
• Local Government, excluding schools and hospitals(OEWS Designation)
• Elementary and Secondary Schools

The average salary for a linux administrator is $98,000. The typical range is $78,000 to $111,000, depending on education, skills, and professional experience.

How to Create a Resume for a Linux Administrator

Creating a resume as a professional in the I.T. industry requires you to showcase your expertise through the projects you've worked on. Your resume should also highlight your most outstanding achievements and skills to show the hiring manager why you're the best person for the job.

Each job is different, so don't use one resume for multiple applications. Tailor each resume to match the job you're applying for, and use the job description to help you with the right keywords and action verbs.

Consider the resume format, layout, and structure of your resume. These will determine whether the hiring manager reads your resume or not.

Best resume format for a linux administrator

You have three formats to choose from.

• The first one is the reverse-chronological format which focuses on experience. This is great for you if you've worked for many years as a linux administrator.
• The second one is the functional resume format which focuses on your skills. It's perfect for candidates who don't have much experience, like recent graduates and career changers.
• The third one is the hybrid/combination resume format which combines features of the reverse-chronological and functional resume formats. This is perfect for you if you have the right blend of skills and experience.

The layout of your resume should make it easy to read and understand. Remember that recruiters only spend a few seconds on each resume and will put it aside if they can't read it. Use easy-to-read fonts and a font size of 10-12pt. Recommended fonts include Arial, Helvetica, Times New Roman, Calibri, Cambria, and Georgia.

The structure of your linux administrator resume should have the following sections:

• A header
• Resume summary/objective
• Professional experience
• Education section
• Skills section
• An additional section(Computer skills and certifications, languages, interests, and awards/honors)

Start with the Header

The resume header is the first section of your resume. It contains your personal information, which should be accurate. Here are the details that should be in this section:

• Your full name
• Job title
• Phone number
• Professional email address
• Location
• A link to your LinkedIn profile.

A good header

A bad header

Photo or No Photo?

If the hiring manager asks you to send a resume with a photo, you should add one but ensure it's professional. Otherwise, avoid adding one because it increases the chances of discrimination and unconscious bias.

Experience: How to Showcase it in Your Resume

The experience section summarizes your employment history. If you have worked as a linux system administrator, this is where you'll add this information. Focus on the relevant experience unless there are transferable skills you gained that will be useful in the new position.

Start with the name of the workplace, your job title, and the years you've worked at each place. Under each workplace, you'll add three to five job duties/responsibilities and quantify them with figures and facts. This is a great way to stay ahead of your competition.

When listing your job duties, check the job description and add the keywords and action verbs that will optimize your resume. Without these, your resume might not get past the ATS systems, and you won't even get a chance to interview for the job.

Example for entry-level linux administrators

Example for experienced linux administrators

Include your Academic Background

Your educational qualifications are crucial if you want to get a competitive position as a linux administrator. The jobs available are all different, so you'll need to tailor this section to match the hiring manager's requirements. Always start with your most recent educational qualification. You can leave out the high school diploma if you have a Master's degree.

List your educational qualifications by adding the name of the degree/diploma, the name of the school, and the year of graduation.

Correct Example

Skills for a Linux System Administrator Resume

The right skills on your resume will put you way ahead of the competition. These skills allow you to perform your duties effectively, so they are essential.

The job description will list the skills relevant to the job, so check it out and incorporate them into your resume. The applicant tracking systems filter out resumes that don't have the required skills, so you must do this.

Your resume should have a list of hard and soft skills. Hard skills are technical skills that you learn after some training or at school. Soft skills are interpersonal attributes that help you relate with clients and colleagues.

List the skills using bullet points to make it easy for the recruiter to see them and scan them on ATS systems.

Here's a list of skills you can add to your linux administrator resume.

Hard skills

• User management
• Unix system administration
• Apache web server
• Sun Solaris
• Configuration management
• Red hat enterprise linux
• C++, JHDL, Python and Javascript expert
• Unix Linux

Soft skills

• Interpersonal skills
• Communication skills
• Analytical skills
• Time management
• Critical thinking
• Decision making
• Attention to detail
• Multi-tasking skills

Professional Summary for a Linux Administrator

A professional summary comes second on your resume after the header section. It summarizes your top achievements, skills, and experience. It also introduces your resume to the hiring manager and should be catchy to get their attention and compel them to read the rest of your resume.

Correct example

Incorrect example

Professional Objective

A professional/resume objective serves the same purpose as a resume summary but is suitable for candidates who don't have experience. If you're a recent graduate and don't have accomplishments to add to your resume summary, you should add a professional objective. It summarizes your career goals and shows the recruiter how they align with the company goals. It also shows your excitement to work at a particular company in the position you're applying for.

Correct example

Additional Headings for Your Resume

The additional section allows you to add all the qualifications and skills you don't want the recruiter to miss. This is also a great way to highlight the skills that set you apart from the other candidates.

Our resume templates allow you to incorporate this section into your resume without leaving any qualifications. Let's look at some of the sections you should add to your resume.

Computing skills & certifications

A linux administrator requires complex computer skills, so you don't want the recruiter to miss them in your resume. If you have an in-depth knowledge of programming languages and software packages, you should add them here.

Certifications look good on your resume and are a great addition to this section. While some linux administrator resume samples will have them in the education section, it's always better to have them in a separate section. Here are some certifications that will boost your resume for a linux administrator.

• Red Hat Certified Architect certification
• Red Hat Certified Engineer certification
• CompTIA Linux+

Languages

Languages are one of the most sought-after skills by employers, so if you're a bilingual candidate, highlight it under this section. Use the official language reference as follows:

• SIELE for Spanish
• DELF for French
• Goethe Zertifikat for German

Interests

The interests section gives the recruiter an idea of what you do outside of work. Having similar interests with an interviewer can allow you to break the ice and ease the conversation during the interview. It's also essential to research the company and its culture to figure out which of your interests align with the company's.

Tips to Boost Your Resume

• Always proofread your resume before sending it to the recruiter to ensure it's error-free.
• Quantify your achievements using figures and facts to show the value you'll bring to the company.
• Add keywords and action verbs to your resume to ensure it's optimized.
• Optimize each job title with keywords and tailor it to match the job you're applying for.
• Tailor each resume for the job you're applying for, and avoid using one resume for multiple applications.
• Your resume should have a catchy resume objective/summary.

Summary: Writing a Perfect Resume for Jobs in Linux System Administration

• Start your resume with a header and ensure all the information is accurate.
• Introduce your resume with a resume summary/objective.
• Describe your employment history under the work experience section.
• Include your educational qualifications without leaving anything out.
• Use bullet points to list your skills to make it easy to spot them.
• Your resume structure should have all the crucial sections.
• Use the additional section to highlight the skills and extra qualifications you don't want the recruiter to miss.

Write a Proper Cover Letter for Your Resume

If your resume is not accompanied by a cover letter, your application is incomplete. A cover letter further describes your qualifications and allows you to inject your personality and showcase your excellent writing skills. If you don't know how to write a cover letter, use our cover letter examples. Some recruiters don't require a cover letter, so you can send your application without one.

Frequently Asked Questions