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What to Put on a Resume: Good Things You Should Include
Find our what you need to put on your resume and what recruiters are looking for. Use these tips and examples to make a perfect resume.
You’re about to learn how to write a network engineer resume.
And not just any network engineer resume.
But the one that has a potential to beat the other 250+ resumes, grab the recruiter’s attention for longer than 6 seconds, and—
Make a stable and reliable connection with the employer of your dreams.
So—
Let’s start engineering it right away.
This guide will show you:
- A network engineer resume better than 9 out of 10 other resumes.
- How to write a network engineer resume that will land you more interviews.
- Tips and examples of how to put skills and achievements on a network engineer resume.
- How to prepare the best network engineering job description section on a resume to get any job you want.
Here’s a network engineer resume sample made with our online resume builder.
Want to save time and have your resume ready in 5 minutes? Try our resume builder. It’s fast and easy to use. Plus, you’ll get ready-made content to add with one click. See 20+ resume templates and create your resume here.
Sample resume made with our builder—See more resume examples here.
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Here's how to write a network engineer resume:
1
Choose the Best Format for a Network Engineer Resume
Cut to the chase:
Of all available network engineer resume formats, there’s one that will make you truly stand out.
It’s the reverse-chronological resume format.
What’s so special about this particular resume format?
For one thing—
It puts your experience, achievements, and network engineer skills in the spotlight.
And isn’t this exactly what you’d like to draw the recruiter’s attention to?
For another—
It’s the resume format the vast majority of recruiters feel at home reading. It’s well organized, easily navigable, and conveys a lot.
Just like a well-designed computer network should.
So, the best resume format for an experienced network engineer is the reverse-chronological one.
That being said, if you’re considering a career change you might also want to try out a combination resume.
Just remember:
- Avoid clutter and embrace white space.
- Go for a resume-friendly font.
- Write simple and reader-friendly headings.
And:
Save your network engineer resume as a PDF file. The PDF file type keeps the formatting intact on all systems and devices, and it’s readable to the ATS.
Now, we can move on to the first section of your network engineer resume.
Still unsure about the most suitable format for your network engineer resume? Read our guide: Best Resume Format: Which to Choose?
2
Write a Network Engineer Resume Summary or Objective
You need to think of your network engineer resume in big-endian terms:
The most significant bit comes first.
In your case, it’s the network engineer resume objective or summary.
Why?
Because it’s the first thing the recruiter will lay their eyes on when scanning your network engineer resume.
And you’re likely to have 250+ competitors vying for the same position, according to our HR statistics report.
So—
Your network engineer resume objective or summary must deliver from the word go.
Before you learn how to get it just right, check out the difference between the resume objective and summary.
- Network engineer resume objective brings your skills to the foreground and shows the recruiter why you’re a perfect candidate. Resume objectives work best for those with limited professional experience.
- Network engineer resume summary, as the name suggests, sums up your professional experience and presents some of your greatest achievements.
Network Engineer Objective Example
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| Skilled and well-organized USC graduate (GPA 3.9) with an MS in Electrical Engineering (Computer Networks). Eager to join Wintermute Corporation as a junior network engineer to help establish and maintain top-quality network performance. During a 3-month internship at SAIC gained experience in configuring switches, a good understanding of Nexus Operating System (NX-OS), and purpose and configuration of VLANs. |
| wrong |
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| A recent graduate with a degree in computer networks. Would love to join your company to keep developing his network engineering skills. Friendly and collaborative. |
The right example of the network engineer resume objective has it all:
- It opens with the candidate’s strong character traits.
- Summarizes their education, and academic achievements in a couple of words.
- Identifies the employer by name.
- States what the candidate wants to help with.
- Describes the candidate’s previous experience.
Last but not least—
It offers numbers and refers to the network engineer skills the employer is after. More on that in the section on skills.
In contrast, the wrong example doesn’t tell the recruiter much. It reads like a generic description that anybody could use.
Network Engineer Resume Summary
| right |
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| Strategically-minded and customer-oriented network engineer (1) with 5+ years of experience and in-depth knowledge of documenting network topologies, IP allocation, and network designs. (2) Eager to join Wintermute Corporation to help operate the company's data communications systems, as well as design and develop new business solutions. (3) In previous roles replaced Comware-based HPE equipment with Cisco (Cat 9000s) switches. Installed, patched, and configured 400+ switches, 1000+ APs, 10,000+ patch cords. |
| wrong |
|---|
| Experienced network engineer wishing to join your company to keep developing professionally in a dynamic corporate environment. In-depth knowledge of network designs. Enthusiastic and motivated. |
Let’s take a look at the wrong example first.
It doesn’t look that bad, but if you compare it to the right example you can see it’s substandard.
Remember:
Your resume will always be compared to the others, and our goal is to land you an interview.
So—
Here’s how to get your network engineer resume summary right:
- Start with adjectives describing your strong traits.
- Show your track-record.
- Specify what you can help with.
- Demonstrate your biggest skill(s) and achievement(s).
And:
- Use numbers where possible.
When making a resume in our builder, drag & drop bullet points, skills, and auto-fill the boring stuff. Spell check? Check. Pick a resume template here.
When you’re done, Zety’s resume builder will score your resume and tell you exactly how to make it better.
If you’re still not sure how to go about writing the best network engineer resume objective or summary, read one of our step-by-step guides:
3
Add The Best Network Engineer Job Description for a Resume
Here’s the secret:
There’s a gateway that will take your network engineer resume straight to the approved pile.
It’s your job description.
A tailored network engineering resume job description will show the recruiter you’ve got exactly what they look for.
Start with identifying the position that matches your level of experience and qualifications.
The network engineer job description for the position you’re seeking may look something like that:
- Plan and recommend network hardware, systems management software, and design.
- Configure and maintain routers, switches, and network systems (including wireless and VoIP).
- Integrate and schematically depict communication architectures, topologies, hardware, software, transmission and signaling links and protocols into complete network configurations.
- Perform network systems tuning and recommend improvements.
- Evaluate new network products and monitor protocol capability.
- Partner with the security team to research and recommend secure network solutions to business problems and to prevent, detect, and investigate suspicious activity in a timely manner.
- Troubleshoot and resolve network hardware and software related issues.
- Install, configure and maintain network and data communications equipment and software.
- Monitor and evaluate network and data communications statistics to ensure timely upgrades and additions of hardware and software to meet growth requirements.
The highlighted parts are the network engineer skills sought-after by the employer.
It follows that your network engineer resume job description should focus on those exact skills.
More than that—
Make sure the phrasing you choose stays as close as possible to the original wording of the job ad.
Your network engineer job description for a resume could look like this:
Network Engineer Job Description for a Resume
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2015-2018 NetWorkz, Los Angeles, CA Network Engineer
|
Now—
Let’s break this down.
In the vast majority of cases, before your network engineer resume pops up on a recruiter’s screen it will have to go past the initial ATS scan.
ATSs (Applicant Tracking Systems) are used by as many as 98% of Fortune 500 Companies.
The ATS helps the recruiter separate the wheat from the chaff by identifying the network engineer resumes that meet the requirements stated in the job ad.
How do they do it?
They scan the resumes for keywords used in the job posting. The better the match, the higher up the list a given resume shows up.
Ingeniously simple.
That’s the reason why your network engineer resume job description section must fall back on the language and phrases you see in the job ad.
But this is just the beginning.
After all, it’s not the ATS that invites you to an interview. It’s the recruiter.
So—
If you thought simple copy-pasting will land you a job... you were mistaken.
Your network engineer resume job description must make an impression on the recruiter. So, make sure to:
- Describe your experience using resume action words
- Try to present your experience in terms of achievements, not responsibilities. Achievements are your responsibilities backed up with numbers.
In an ideal world, all your network engineer resume bullets should be quantified with percentages or numbers.
But the truth is, it might be pretty hard to put a number everywhere.
Fret not.
Here’s what you can do:
Identify up to three specific achievements and place them in a separate key achievements subsection under your responsibilities.
Senior Network Engineer Resume—Achievements
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Key achievements:
|
And finally.
Here’s a wrong example of a network engineer resume job description to show you what to avoid:
| wrong |
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2015-2018 NetWorkz, Los Angeles, CA Network Engineer
Responsible for:
|
A network engineer resume job description like that will effectively block your chances.
In other words, you’ll create a condition with no available paths to complete the recruitment circuit.
What about the experience section on an entry-level network engineer resume?
There’s only one rule:
You shouldn’t leave the experience section empty.
This is what you can consider including in an entry-level network engineer resume.
- Internships.
All your internships count. They show you’re determined, willing to learn, and serious about your future career. And they make your jr network engineer resume look professional.
- Freelancing and volunteering.
Did you assist a friend with implementing a LAN at their small company? Do you help your family configure their wireless networks, set up routers, and firewalls? Include such experience in your entry-level network engineer resume. Show your willingness to act.
Fuzzy about making your entry-level network engineer resume? Here’s a guide just for you: First Resume with No Work Experience
Still not sure how to present your experience in the most effective way? Learn how to nail it each and every time with our guide: Job Description Bullets that *Kill*
4
Put Network Engineer Skills on a Resume
You’re about to learn two things.
Thing one:
You’ve already included some of the most important network engineer skills on your resume in the objective and job description.
Thing two:
You’ll learn how to give your key skills even more prominence on your network engineer resume.
Ready?
OK, take another look at your network engineer job description resume section. If we strip it down to the very essence, we’ll end up with the following list:
- Network routing and switching protocols
- Firewalls and firewall rule contexts
- Network components and services virtualization
- Network automation
- Converged systems
- Product and service knowledge
- Cybersecurity
Pretty impressive.
And—
As you see, the skills the employer is after are part and parcel of your network engineer job description.
How’s it possible?
Well, your job description is based on the job listing the employer originally posted.
But it doesn’t end here—
Here’s how to give your network engineer skills even more visibility.
Take a long hard look at the job ad again. See if the employer lists a set of specific technical or soft skills required of the candidates.
Identified them?
Great job.
Now—
If you have those skills, list them in a key skills section on your network engineer resume.
Pro Tip: Don’t list more than 10 skills. Pick out the ones you’re great at, and leave out the ones you only have a basic grasp of entirely. This way you’ll avoid the so-called presenter’s paradox.
Take a look at the list below to help you identify your best skills:
Network Engineer Resume Skills
- Application flows
- Networks components and services virtualization
- CCNP
- Cybersecurity
- SD-WAN
- Network automation
- DNS
- Teamwork
- Cooperation
- Problem-solving
- Organization
- Internet of Things (IoT)
- Analytical thinking
- Oral communication
- Written communication
- Hyperconverged systems
- Negotiation
- Adaptability
- OSPF
- Troubleshooting
- BGP
- Facilitating
- FLETC
- Giving feedback
- Nexus Operating System (NX-OS)
- Mentoring
- Cisco Routers
- Motivation
- Cisco Technologies
- Supervising
- VMware NSX
- Time management skills
- F5 BigIP
- Interpersonal skills
- Cisco Security
- Perseverance
- EIGRP
- Resilience
- Cisco Wireless
- Prioritizing
Make sure the network engineer skills you put on your resume have the most impact by:
- Sprinkling them across your entire network engineer resume. Mention them in your network engineer objective or summary, job description, and key skills sections.
- Keeping the key skills section neat and organized. List a maximum of 10 skills. Stick to the ones you excel at.
- Presenting the relevant skills. Your list of skills cannot be just there. Double-check the job posting to be 100% sure you’re offering what the employer looks for.
Not sure about listing your technical skills on a network engineer resume? We have a guide just for you: Technical Skills List: Examples for Resumes Employers Want.
5
Mention Your Education
To land a network engineering position you need to have a proper educational background and the necessary network engineer qualifications.
The question is—
How to present all these on your network engineer resume in the most effective way?
Here’s the thing:
It all depends on how much professional experience you have.
You present your education in a different way on a network engineer resume with 5 years of experience than on an entry-level resume.
Take a look at the network engineer resume examples below:
Junior Network Engineer Resume Sample—Education
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2013 University of Southern California (USC), Los Angeles Master of Science (MS), Electrical Engineering (Computer Networks) GPA: 3.9
Relevant coursework:
|
An entry-level network engineer resume must offer a more detailed look at your education. Make sure to include:
- Graduation date
- School name
- Degree earned
- GPA (if above 3.5)
- Relevant coursework
- Other relevant extracurricular activities
On a network engineer 5 years experience resume, the education section can be less detailed because the focus naturally shifts towards your professional experience. It’s perfectly enough to stick to listing:
- Graduation date
- School name
- Degree earned
Senior Network Engineer Resume—Education
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2013 University of Southern California (USC), Los Angeles Master of Science (MS), Electrical Engineering (Computer Networks) |
And one more thing.
Create a separate section for your network engineer professional qualifications:
Network Engineer Qualifications—Example
- Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP)
- Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)
- Juniper Networks WAN Acceleration (JNSS-WX)
- Juniper Networks Sales Specialist Wireless LAN (JNSS-WLAN)
- VMware Certified Associate (VCA-DBT)
- Cisco Certified Design Associate (CCDA)
- Cisco Certified Design Professional (CCDP)
Need more advice on how to nail the education section of your network engineer resume? Head straight to: How to Put Your Education on a Resume [Tips & Examples]
6
Write a Network Engineer Covering Letter
Writing a cover letter to accompany your network engineer resume may feel like trying to find a place for an ARPANET router in the TCP/IP architecture.
But it shouldn’t.
Cover letters still matter—about 50% of recruiters expect them. And the last thing you want is not to deliver what the recruiter wants.
Remember:
A well-written cover letter is the best proof of your communication skills. And it offers you an additional opportunity to:
Introduce yourself to the recruiter in a personalized way.
To make the most of your network engineer cover letter:
- Keep it short and to-the-point.
- Fill in all the blanks there might be on your network engineer resume.
- Write it in a clear and reader-friendly way.
Now—
All this looks super simple in theory, but the moment you get down to writing your network engineer covering letter, your mind is likely to go blank.
Don’t panic.
Head straight to our guide on how to write a perfect cover letter.
You may also want to check out the following guides:
In fact—
We have a dedicated guide on how to write an engineering cover letter:
Plus, a great cover letter that matches your resume will give you an advantage over other candidates. You can write it in our cover letter builder here. Here's what it may look like:
See more cover letter templates and start writing.
Key Takeaway
Your network engineer resume is something more than a laundry list of your technical skills, qualifications, and education. Here’s how to make yours truly stand out:
- Tailor your network engineer resume to fit the position you’re applying for.
- Start it with a snappy network engineer resume objective or summary.
- Prepare a meaningful and relevant network engineer job description section. Add metrics to your achievements to prove you’re good at what you do.
- Make sure your network engineer resume format is elegant and easily navigable.
Last but not least—
Prepare for the interview.
Are you writing a network engineer resume for the first time? Or perhaps you’re a seasoned network engineering pro eager to help the young guns out? We’d love to hear from you, leave your comment below!
