Innovations in technology continue to dominate the daily lives of people from all around the planet. Therefore, the demand for information technology specialists has increased significantly over the past few decades.
Whether you’re a fresh graduate, a beginner, or a pro, preparing an impressive resume for IT specialist is a must. While there are plenty of positions waiting to get filled up by deserving candidates, there’s also a growing number of knowledgeable individuals waiting for their opportunity. Stand out and be the one hiring managers would pick. Show them what you can offer and why you’re the one they should hire for the job.
What to Include in a Resume for IT Specialist
Jobs in the IT industry are usually very rewarding. Being a knowledgeable specialist with significant work experience also opens up a lot of career opportunities. Land an interview with an impressive resume and cover letter packed with all the essential details that would grab the attention of employers.
IT specialist resume examples vary in design, format, and layout. In general, your resume should include your name, clear contact information, work experience, educational background, relevant certifications, and skills. Use a template so you won’t miss any important detail.
Choose Your IT Resume Template Wisely
If you want to get hired, you have to get noticed by hiring managers first. The best way to do this is by using the best IT specialist resume template available.
Search for an IT specialist resume example. Better yet, search for several resume examples so you can choose the one that suits your style and taste.
In an industry that’s so competitive such as IT, you have to exert all the effort you can to ensure that you stay on top. When applying for an IT position in a company, your potential employer would like to know what you can offer. The best way to let them know is by preparing a resume—a resume that’s clear enough for a hiring manager to take notice.
To show you an example of a clear, concise, and professional-looking resume, check out our resume templates .
Using a template as a guide will ensure that you will not miss out on any important detail or information that you must have on your resume. It will also help you highlight sections that matter most to potential employers.
How to Format Your IT Specialist Resume
When looking at IT support specialist resume samples, skills and certifications are highlighted and would stand out. Your professional summary which briefly explains your work history and special skills must also be right on top of your resume.
You may also choose between a chronological or reverse chronological format and a functional resume format, or a combination of both.
A chronological resume shows your work experience in order, by date with your first job on the top. A reverse chronological format is the most common choice, and is, in fact, a better choice for your IT resume as it shows your most recent work experience first.
A functional resume focuses on your skills and relevant experiences. Take note of the key areas and specialties specifically identified on the job post. If you have those qualifications or their equivalent, make sure those are highlighted and located close to the top of your resume.
IT Specialist Resume Summary
Like most types of resumes, it is best to include a resume summary or objective on your resume. If you take a look at resume examples, a short paragraph that summarizes the entire resume typically appears on top.
A resume summary or objective is another great way to make your resume stand out. The professional summary must be short, straight to the point, and detailed.
Whether or not you have actual work experience in the IT industry, you can still create a resume summary by writing your objective, skills and certifications.
Professional Summary Examples
When writing a professional summary, remember to customize your resume summary to ensure that it shows you’re the perfect person for the job. Show that you are indeed a specialist in technical support and all-things IT.
For a fresh IT graduate, here’s an example of a professional summary.
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A.S. Computer Information Technology graduate seeking an IT specialist position in Max Software Solutions, Inc. High level of knowledge in IT security and IT support systems with specialty certifications as Help Desk Technician and Internet Security Specialist. Completed 360 hours Internship Program with Min Software Solutions, Inc.
You can try this type of professional summary if you already have some work experience.
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CDP, CISSP and CCIE certified IT professional with experience in maintaining Mac OS, MS-Windows, and Ubuntu computer systems. 5+ years of experience as Internet Security Manager and trained 30+ staff members. Successfully launched Zeus E-Commerce Co’s largest computer security software which resulted in faster and safer operating systems for employees and customers.
Tips to Make Your Work History Section Stand Out
Most companies look for IT specialists with experience. If you don’t have any formal work experience yet, begin building your portfolio and improving your skills now.
Since most technology-driven companies rely on their IT personnel heavily, you must be prepared to work in a competitive environment. In IT, there’s no room for mistakes. Therefore, trial and error methods or faking it ‘til you make it won’t work for this industry. One missed detail can lead to a huge problem that can affect an entire business and all of its customers.
Make your work history stand out on your resume. Display your experiences, companies you’ve worked with, and positive results you have produced at work.
Give more importance to those experiences you have that are relevant to the job description.
Also, you have to be sure that your knowledge is updated. Since innovations in technology happen day by day, what you learned 5 years ago might no longer be useful today. So be sure that you update your knowledge, and you continue learning as much as you can every day.
Tip: Use relevant keywords and key phrases on your resume so that your name comes up when hiring managers are looking for specific skills or experiences.
When writing your work experience, include the company’s name and location as well as the dates you’ve worked with them. Add your main tasks, key performance indicators, and achievements, too. Here’s an example.
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IT Support Team Leader
ABC International, Inc., Sacramento, CA
January 2019-Present
Managed major internet and software security for the executive department
Trained 50+ Junior IT support specialists
Managed a team of 10 Senior IT support specialists
Network and hardware troubleshooting
Eliminated security breaches by updating software versions and installing new software when necessary.
Calculated system capacity for new server installation for 300+ desktop computers
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IT Support Team Leader
ABC International.
Managed team of 10
Provided support for the company
Answering telephone calls and queries
Hardware queries
Software queries
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Senior IT Support Technician
XYZ Company, Los Angeles, CA
September 2015-January 2019
Trained 20+ Junior IT support technicians and specialists
Preferred IT support personnel of XYZ Company’s CEO and top executives
Responded to [Type] customers experiencing connectivity issues and provided step-by-step instructions to resolve issues including rebooting hardware.
Internet and software security management
Eliminated security breaches by updating software versions and installing new software when necessary.
Designed and set up new work stations for +200 staff, including hardware, software using Windows server setup required accessories.
Note: While being specific is essential on an IT specialist resume, you must also keep in mind the security of the companies you’ve previously worked with. Especially if you signed NDA’s in the past, do not include specific software, especially related to security, that those companies have been or are currently using if it’s against an NDA.
Best Skills to Include in the Resume for IT Specialist
Your hard skills are highly important in an IT specialist job. So you must make sure to include them in your resume.
Depending on the position you are applying for, these are some of the hard skills and qualities employers are usually looking for:
Knowledge in internet security
Understanding of how networking works
Communication skills
Project management
Knowledge of programming language
Knowledge of multiple operating systems
Willingness to provide technical support 24/7
Ability to perform system updates
Ability to address connectivity problems
Updated with all new technologies
Your soft skills definitely matter too. If you have already impressed the hiring manager with all the knowledge and measurable skills you can offer, you just have to let them know why they should make you part of their team. These are some skills that are great to have on your resume:
Analytical abilities and problem-solving skills
Resourcefulness
Perseverance
Team player
Sense of urgency
Creativity
Sense of accountability and ownership
Your sense of accountability matters greatly. As earlier mentioned, even the smallest mistakes on a system software or IT issues that aren’t resolved immediately can result in massive problems for the company and its end users. If you are honest and know how to take responsibility for both good and bad incidents, your future employer will appreciate you.
Make a List of the Programming Languages for Your IT Resume
You must already know by now that being an IT specialist is not easy. Some of the most difficult areas to master in IT are programming languages.
Since there are so many programming languages that exist today, it would be great if you master everything, but it’s fine if you don’t. Just list the ones you are familiar with and have working knowledge of and include the level of your proficiency.
Tip: do not exaggerate your skills and knowledge. Hiring managers understand that one has to be a genius to become an expert in all programming languages. Just be honest and list down everything you know. It is best to include your experience level or number of years’ experience too.
Here’s an example of how you can display your programming languages section on your IT specialist resume.
Python - Advanced
Java Script - Intermediate
C++ - Advanced
C - Advanced
PHP - Basic
You may always use resume templates to make this part easier to create or organize. You can also check out our resume examples here to find other ways to display this section.
Display Your IT Certifications
Once again, in the very competitive IT industry, you have to stand out to get noticed and hired. The best way to do this is by getting certified. In fact, some positions require certain certifications.
There are plenty of certifications you can get as an IT professional. Here are some of the best IT certifications you can get and should display on your resume.
CRISC – Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control
AWS Certified Solutions Architect
ITIL – Information Technology Infrastructure Library Foundation
CISSP – Certified Information Systems Security Professional
Oracle Certified MySQL Database Administrator ( CMDBA )
Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE)
Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)
Cisco Certified Professional Network Professional (CCNP)
Education Information for the IT Specialist Resume
Because of the huge demand for IT professionals, there are plenty of Computer Science and Information Technology courses offered in colleges and universities around the world.
An IT specialist resume example may include details of your Associate’s Degree, Bachelor’s Degree, Master’s Degree, or even a Doctorate if you have one. While having a degree is a great advantage, it is not necessarily a requirement for all IT specialist jobs. Many times, we’ve seen IT professionals, even owners of large IT companies, who were not degree holders when they started.
In fact, most IT certifications don’t have college degrees as prerequisites.
A degree can be substituted by relevant certifications and work experience. However, having a college diploma is something to be proud of. This can give you an edge over other applicants.
If you do have a degree, make it stand out on your resume. Here’s how you can write it:
BS in Computer Science (CSCI)
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA
September 2014 to June 2018
Especially if you recently graduated, include any relevant awards, internships, and achievements you may have received.
Additional Tips for Your IT Specialist Resume
If you already have plenty of experience and lots of certifications, then writing your IT specialist resume would come pretty easy. Use a resume builder to ensure you’re using the best possible resume format and that you won’t miss out on any important details.
Among the most important parts of your resume are your contact details, work experience, certifications, technical skills, hard and soft skills, and your educational background.
Here are some more tips that will help you create a professional IT specialist resume:
Find a good resume example that suits your style. Follow a resume format that highlights your best skills that are relevant to the job opening.
Triple check to make sure that your contact information is clear and updated. This is the only way for the hiring manager to get in touch with you.
Display your technical skills as well as your broad range of computer skills, overall network capabilities, and all other skills relevant to the job post.
Information technology specialist resumes usually include all IT certifications you have. Make sure they are current and updated.
Some IT certifications expire while others are good for a lifetime. Include the validity dates of your certifications, when necessary.
Attach a cover letter to your professional resume.
If you don’t have plenty of professional experience as an information technology specialist, take a look at an IT specialist resume example and compare its sections to what you have so far. Keep in mind these tips:
If you feel a professional summary might seem lacking, you can use an IT specialist resume objective instead.
You may also include a general IT specialist resume summary that includes all the certifications you already have, skills you have learned over time, your knowledge in operating systems, programming languages, software systems, computer hardware, and even your ability to find solutions to network related issues, system failures, and more.
There are plenty of new technologies coming out almost daily. Look for online courses or institutions providing training. Get certified, learn the top skills, new programming languages, new software, operating systems, and more. All these can be added to your IT specialist resume.
Familiarize yourself with new technology innovations and new tools.
Especially for one who is just starting out in the industry, a cover letter can do so much in convincing your potential employer to give you a chance to get interviewed. So make sure you are writing a well-crafted and impressive cover letter then attach it to your information technology specialist resume.
Key Takeaways
A professional, detailed, and impressive-looking IT specialist resume can help you get your dream job. Your resume along with your cover letter must include a resume summary, and all the necessary personal data you’d want your potential employer to learn about you.
If you are running out of ideas on how you can make your resume look impressive, look for an IT specialist resume example that can serve as your guide. Templates and resume builders can also help you find the best format to use so your resume looks clean, detailed, and aesthetically pleasing.
Make sure your contact details are correct and updated. Highlight your work experience, certifications, and educational background. Use keywords and keyphrases so that a hiring manager would easily find your resume in a massive pool of resumes from other aspiring applicants.
An information technology specialist responsible for addressing technical problems, which can be complex problems at times, must have the necessary problem analysis and problem solving skills. Both your soft and hard skills matter - your ability to assist users and team members and your capability to find the best solutions to trouble tickets and other complex issues are things companies are sought after characteristics of an IT pro.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you get an IT job without a degree?
Your educational background and a degree can help increase your chances of impressing a potential employer, but it doesn’t guarantee competitive skills nor your abilities in delivering business needs. If you don’t have a degree, do not be discouraged. Improve your skills, work hard to get certified, and soon enough, your dream company might just give you a chance.
What IT skills should I put in a resume?
Both your hard skills and soft skills must be included in your resume. Your technical skills can be as basic as troubleshooting Microsoft Windows, knowledge in data migration, preventative maintenance for hardware systems to increase efficiency and minimize operational costs, and more.
If you want to stand out, here are some of the top skills employers are looking for so make sure you’re including these in your IT specialist resume:
Machine learning skills
Data science skills
Cybersecurity skills
Programming language skills
Artificial intelligence skills
Automation skills
Data analytics skills
UX design skills
Software development skills
How should an IT resume look like?
A great IT specialist resume example displays work experience, certifications, and skills relevant to the job opening.
How long should IT resume be?
An ideal IT specialist resume example is one to two pages only. However, it is understandable how some experienced IT specialists have so many skills and a long track record to list down. As long as they are all related to the job you’re applying for, then you should include them in your IT specialist resume.
What kind of certifications should I include in the IT resume?
All active and relevant IT certifications should be included in your IT specialist resume. Make sure you place the validity dates beside those certifications that have expiration dates.
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