Network Engineer Resume Example, Skills, & Writing Tips

$100 an hour. Yes, top network engineers make that.

But employers don’t just hand it out to any candidate. You have to fit the job like a fieldbus connector.

And you do! You just have to show it in your network engineering resume.

In this guide:

A network engineer resume sample better than most.
How to make a great network engineer job description for resumes.
How to write a resume for network engineer jobs that zaps your downtime.
Why you can’t just list network engineer skills (and what to do instead).

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Network Engineer Resume Sample You Can Copy and Use

Aaron Kuzio

Network Engineer

Personal Info

Phone: 414-617-2634

E-mail: [email protected]

linkedin.com/in/aaronzkuzio

twitter.com/aaronzkuzio

Summary

Smart network administrator with 6+ years experience. Seeking to use proven Cisco skills to serve clients at Sullivan IT Global. At Williams-Seile IT, designed and installed networks of 100+ Cisco devices for 150+ clients. Slashed completion times 20% with solid project management skills. Cisco CCNP certified.

Experience

Network Engineer

Williams-Seile IT

2016–2019

Planned, designed, and installed networks for 150+ clients with 100–200 Cisco devices per job. Ensured redundance, scalability, and security on all networks.
Modified vendor software to automate 30% of time spent on requirements-gathering.
Created and configured 700+ VPNs for corporate and employee use.
Used strong project management skills to slash delivery times by 20%.

Network Engineer

Big Lakes Medical Clinics

2014–2016

Created 12 secure networks, both local and wide-area.
Planned, designed, configured, and installed enterprise-level networks with 25% lower security risk than previous network engineer.
Performed troubleshooting on load-balancing resulting in 30% less downtime.

Freelance Network Engineer

2013–2014

Planned and configured a Windows 2010 network with 7 machines for a local graphic design firm. Completed project 15% under budget.
Upgraded 10 employees in local financial planning firm to Windows 10.

Education

BS Computer Science, Beloit College

2009–2013

Excelled in Cisco classes.
Pursued a passion for security study.
Vice president, cloud computing club.

Certifications

CCNP – Cisco Systems
VMware VCP6-DCV

Cisco Exam Scores

DCUCI Exam – 99%
DCII Exam – 98%

Additional Activities

Member, NaSPA
President of local road cycling club.

Publications

“Scaling Collaboration” appeared in Cisco Blogs.
“10 Backup Best Practices” appeared in Network World.

Conferences

2019 – ICNP, Spoke on a panel about Cisco networking.
2015 – Network and Distributed System Security Symposium.

Hard Skills: Cisco, cloud management, project management, security, Windows

Soft Skills: interpersonal skills, perceptiveness, troubleshooting, critical thinking

Here’s how to write a network engineer resume that works:

1. Choose the Right Network Engineer Resume Format

So many network engineer resumes fail before they start.

Why?

They don’t pay attention to resume formatting.

Use these tips for the right protocol:

Network Engineer Resume Format

Expert Hint: The median network engineer salary is $82,050. The top jobs pay far above the median. Target the top jobs with a well-tailored resume.

2. Write a Network Engineer Resume Objective or Summary

Picture this:

You have six seconds with your dream employer.

Can you convince her to hire you in that tiny time?

In fact you have to.

Most hiring teams spend just that long with each networking engineer resume.

But don’t sweat it.

Six seconds is plenty to hook them with a career objective statement or a summary statement.

Make yours right, and you’ll look like a young Chuck Robbins.

Use:

One adjective (smart, talented)
The words “network engineer”
Years of experience (2+, 6+)
How/whom you’ll help (serve clients at Sullivan IT)
Your coolest network engineer achievements (slashed completion times 20%)

These Cisco network engineer resume examples show the design:

Network Engineer Resume Summary—Example

Good ExampleSmart network administrator with 6+ years experience. Seeking to use proven Cisco skills to serve clients at Sullivan IT Global. At Williams-Seile IT, designed and installed networks of 100+ Cisco devices for 150+ clients. Slashed completion times 20% with solid project management skills. Cisco CCNP certified.Bad ExampleExperienced network engineer, skilled in Cisco networks, cloud management, project management, security, and Windows systems. A true leader and a team player, recognized for my ability to pull together disparate disciplines and create the best possible network outcomes.

Now:

Pretend you’re the hiring manager. Which one of those would grab you?

It’s the numbers. It’s the details.

But what if your experience is still in packing peanuts?

In an entry-level network engineer resume, talk about small things you’ve done.

Network Engineer Objective

Good ExampleCapable network engineer with skills in Cisco system engineering and teamwork. Seeking to create robust systems at low cost for Big Lakes Medical Clinics. As freelancer, designed and created a Windows 2010 network with 7 machines, 15% under budget. Member, NaSPA.Bad ExampleInexperienced network engineer, seeking full-time position at good IT firm. No network engineering experience yet as a full-time job, but I’m a true team player who knows how to roll up my sleeves and do good work.

Bonus: Save your network engineer resume summary for last. It’s simpler to write that way.

Expert Hint: Certifications matter in an entry-level resume for network engineers. Go for a CompTIA A+, MCSA, VMware, or other certs to stand above the other N00Bs.

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3. Electrify Your Network Engineer Job Description and Skills Section

So many blow this.

But it’s so easy.

Your network resume can’t just say, “I’ve got experience.”

It must say, “I’ve got your experience.”

What do I mean?

Look in the job ad for the right skills to put on a resume. Write them down. They’re your resume keywords.

Now, show times you’ve used them.

Watch these senior network engineer resume samples do it right and wrong:

The job ad wants these network engineer skills: Cisco, automation, VPNs, project management.

Network Engineer Job Description for Resume [Sample]

Good Example

Experience

Network Engineer

Williams-Seile IT

2016–2019

Planned, designed, and installed networks for 150+ clients with 100–200
Cisco

devices per job. Ensured redundance, scalability, and security on all networks.
Modified vendor software to
automate

30% of time spent on requirements-gathering.
Created and configured 700+
VPNs

for corporate and employee use.
Used strong
project management

skills to slash delivery times by 20%.

Bad Example

Planned, designed, and installed secure networks, both local and wide-area.
Performed requirements gathering to develop robust, client-centered systems.
Created enterprise-level networks with lower security risk than previous.
Performed troubleshooting on load-balancing resulting in less downtime.

The point:

The hiring manager who sees the first of those network engineer resume examples will say—

“Wow. She’s a Cisco expert and she’s done a ton of VPNs. Plus, she’s got automation and project management experience.”

The numbers are the icing on the cake.

Next let’s see a job description for an entry-level resume:

The job ad wants these network engineer skills: Windows 2010 networks, upgrading, efficiency, teamwork.

Entry-Level Network Engineer Resume Job Description [Sample]

Good Example

Freelance Network Engineer, 2019

Planned and configured a
Windows 2010 network

with 7 machines for a local graphic design firm. Completed project 15% under budget.
Upgraded

10 employees in local financial planning firm to Windows 10.

Team Member

Pizza Hut

2016–2019

Employee of the month 3x for
efficiency

and

teamwork

.

Bad Example

Freelance Network Engineer, 2019

Worked as freelance network engineer for two clients.
Planned and developed systems and networks.

Waiter

Pizza Hut

2016–2019

Worked over 40 hours a week as waiter.
Provided excellent customer service.
Stocked cups, silverware, and salad bar.

Worlds apart.

But both the same applicant.

Use these network engineer resume skills to start:

Network Engineer Resume Skills

Hard Skills

Routing and Switching
Network Components
Firewalls
Services Virtualization
Security Efficiency
Converged Systems
Product Knowledge
Troubleshooting
VPNs

Soft Skills

Interpersonal Skills
Collaboration
Communication Skills
Critical Thinking
Problem Solving
Organization
Attention to Detail
Presentation

Expert Hint: Just starting with no experience? You may need to start on the help desk or as a network admin assistant. Those look great on networking engineer resumes.

4. Turn Boring Education to a Reason to Hire You

Most network engineers need at least a bachelor’s degree.

But—

You can’t just say you have it.

Your resume’s education section is a place to show more skills.

Watch how this network engineer resume sample does it:

Network Engineer Resume Example—Education

Good Example

Education

BS Computer Science, Beloit College

2009–2013

Excelled in Cisco classes.
Pursued a passion for security study.
Vice president, cloud computing club.

Nice.

If the job ad wants Cisco, security, and cloud computing, you just turbocharged your resume.

Expert Hint: Want your CCNA certification? Get help from the Todd Lammle books and Wendell Odom’s test guides. If you pass, put it on your network engineering resume.

5. Add “Bonus” Sections to Your Network Engineer Resume

“He’s got the right experience, but is he good to work with?”

Prove you are.

Do it with added sections in your network resume.

Try a couple of these:

Association memberships (NaSPA)
Conferences
Certifications (CompTIA, CCNP, etc.)
Projects
Volunteer work
Freelancing
Groups, clubs
High test scores
Awards, honors
Publications
Additional activities
Exercise

These network engineer resume examples show how:

Network Engineer Resume—Extra Sections

Good Example

Certifications

CCNP – Cisco Systems
VMware VCP6-DCV

Cisco Exam Scores

DCUCI Exam – 99%
DCII Exam – 98%

Additional Activities

Member, NaSPA
President of local road cycling club.

Publications

“Scaling Collaboration” appeared in Cisco Blogs.
“10 Backup Best Practices” appeared in Network World.

Conferences

2019 – ICNP, Spoke on a panel about Cisco networking.
2015 – Network and Distributed System Security Symposium.

Bad Example

Additional Activities

Swimming
Ski joring

Wow.

Nothing against ski joring. What a conversation-starter!

But that first network engineer resume example is Juniper-worthy.

Expert Hint: Include a cover letter. Your job search will almost automate itself if you show passion and job fit in your network engineer cover letter. Learn how to write a cover letter from our guide.

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Key Points

For a network engineer resume that clicks:

Use the network engineer resume template up top. It routes all your best achievements to the front.
Pack your resume sections with accomplishments that fit the job needs.
Pick resume keywords from the hiring ad online.
Add some “bonus” sections to show the network engineering force is strong in you.

Got questions on how to write great resumes for network engineer jobs? Not sure how to show network engineer on a resume? Leave a comment. We’ll be happy to reply!