Browse examples, tips, free templates, and in-demand skills for your information technology resume.
![[Featured Image] A potential employer sits at a meeting table and smiles at a prospective employee holding their information technology resume.](https://d3njjcbhbojbot.cloudfront.net/api/utilities/v1/imageproxy/https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/zJ1JKsL5lkOGRsNA2HrQa/60a6276e47701363003e0f37f421fd4a/GettyImages-1144541711.jpeg?w=1500&h=680&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive&auto=format%2Ccompress&dpr=1&w=1000)
A resume serves as your first impression to potential employers, and your information technology resume should effectively demonstrate your skills.
IT resumes can be chronological, functional, or a combination of the two, depending on what fits your career journey best.
The top of your resume should include a professional summary if you have experience or a career objective if you’re entry-level.
You can start building your IT resume by brainstorming your skills, finding the right action verbs for experience, and certifying your skills.
Explore free templates, learn more about using action verbs for describing your accomplishments, and consider example sections for every level of experience. If you’re ready to start building in-demand skills in information technology, try the Microsoft IT Support Specialist Professional Certificate. In just three months, you’ll learn about hardware, software, networking, security concepts, how to back up data, and how to apply these skills to a business environment.
Rather than choosing a format based on your industry, consider choosing one based on your strengths. Three primary types of resumes are listed below, alongside who might be best suited for each one:
Chronological: Chronological resumes focus on your career path. These types of resumes are well-suited to those who can show linear, chronological growth from education or credentials to entry-level work experience and beyond. If you earned a degree and began working in your field immediately after graduation, you may be a good candidate for the chronological resume format.
Functional: Functional resumes focus more heavily on skills and credentials than on your career path and prior work experience. You might consider using the functional resume format if you have alternative education credentials, such as certifications, or want to emphasize your skill set above all. If you’re switching to an IT career from a related role, a functional resume could be a good fit for you.
Combination: As the name suggests, combination resumes showcase skills alongside career progression. If you have some work experience and specific skills you consider strengths, a combination format might be most suitable for your resume.
Now that you’ve chosen a template, it’s time to personalize it with your information. Talking about yourself and your accomplishments can be challenging, especially when you have limited space. Consider browsing job listings for positions you find desirable. This can help guide your decision-making process regarding which points will be most effective to include.
Keep in mind that employers often use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to parse through large amounts of resumes at once. These systems rely on keywords to determine which candidates are the best matches. Paying close attention to recurring keywords in job postings will give you an idea of the most in-demand skills and qualifications for information technology resumes.
A resume summary is a professional introduction that typically comprises two to three sentences. You can use your summary to highlight the experiences and skills you’re most proud of. It helps employers determine whether or not you have the background required for a given position, so make sure you focus on your strongest points. Consider browsing job postings and noting requirements that overlap with your experience.
If you don’t yet have any experience, you might instead write a resume objective. An objective is a short summary that conveys your career goals to prospective employers. Objectives are ideal for recent graduates with no work experience. However, keep in mind that you can include projects or academic achievements in your resume summary as long as they effectively demonstrate your skill set.
Motivated team player eager to gain experience with cloud computing and network administration. As a Google IT Support Professional Certificate holder, I’m well-versed in best practices for customer service, debugging, and troubleshooting. I’m proficient with systems such as Linux, Command-Line Interface, and Domain Name Systems.
Driven and detail-oriented computer science graduate with a Bachelor of Science from the University of London. I am proficient in programming languages Python and C++, and skilled in technical support, maintenance, and development. I have over a year of experience working with operating system software.
Dedicated IT professional with a Google Cybersecurity Professional Certificate and four years of experience in information security (InfoSec). Languages and technologies I’m proficient in include Python, SQL, Linux, and Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) tools.
Ambitious IT manager with proven experience leading DevOps and Agile software development teams. Well-versed in risk management, cloud infrastructure, and virtualization. As a certified IBM IT Scrum Master, I am confident in my ability to optimize ticketing systems and facilitate fast-paced, iterative development cycles.
To get your brainstorming session flowing, browse job postings for relevant positions and the chart below. It contains in-demand technical skills and workplace skills (sometimes referred to as soft skills or interpersonal skills) for IT professionals. Consider making a note of each one you possess to plug them into your resume.
| Technical skills/proficiencies | Workplace skills |
|---|---|
| Cybersecurity | Customer service |
| Programming | Written communication |
| System administration | Analytical skills |
| Data analysis and visualization | Collaboration skills |
| Cloud computing | Time management |
| AI & machine learning | Problem-solving skills |
| Network protocols | Patience |
| Encryption | Attention to detail |
| Debugging and troubleshooting | Organizational skills |
| SQL | Verbal communication |
| Git and GitHub | Leadership |
To say you have “good” IT skills, start by describing them in detail using the list above to help you get started. You can also refer specifically to the job description to know which ones to add. For example, if you have skills in fixing analog equipment, but the role focuses on helping customers with software, you’d want to focus on customer service skills.
Another way to demonstrate your skills is to link to a portfolio. This offers an opportunity to list school projects, professional projects, or personal projects that reveal your skills. If you’ve ever created a website or set up a home server, these are personal projects that show IT skills.
Read more: IT Certification Roadmap: A Guide
Using versatile language helps emphasize your communication skills. In the following sections, you’ll find action verbs that you can use to avoid repeating the same language on your resume. Consider selecting a few terms that best match your work history and accomplishments.
Executed
Orchestrated
Produced
Programmed
Coordinated
Administered
Operated
Monitored
Delegated
Managed
Oversaw
Directed
Supervised
Conducted
Generated
Consolidated
Enhanced
Expanded
Advanced
Yielded
Collaborated
Reviewed
Aided
Assisted
Corresponded
Consulted
Coached
Advised
Compiled
Analyzed
Audited
Forecasted
Investigated
Reported
Tracked
Visualized
Qualified/quantified
Assisted customers with hardware and software installation and configuration
Provided comprehensive support to internal and external users by answering questions and addressing technical tickets
Updated customer information using company software and protocols
Administered organization-wide cybersecurity training for employees
Analyzed system performance and deficiencies to identify improvement opportunities
Troubleshot customer networks and developed solutions to address recurring issues
Developed and guided the implementation of cybersecurity policies aligned with industry protocols and compliance
Planned and executed a new network architecture to reduce energy consumption and improve overall system performance
Collaborated with the software development team to initiate bug fix releases to our mobile application that contributed to a 15 percent increase in sales
Your resume should include a dedicated section to showcase your formal education and any additional IT certifications you've earned. If you haven’t yet graduated or have an incomplete degree, you can still include the credits you have completed. You’ll need to include:
The name of your school
The degree you obtained (or credits and relevant coursework)
The location of your school
The date you graduated or the duration attended
Your field of study
GPA (optional)
If you received any awards, achievements, or participated in any relevant programs, feel free to include them. You may also include any certifications you’ve earned. Learn more about whether IT certifications are worth it.
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Watch on YouTube: Should You Consider a Career in IT? A Quick Intro
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