As information technology (IT) professionals, you find solutions in the digital world for individuals and companies across the globe. Your resume will be unique to you and your specific occupation, but it should demonstrate an ability to harness all of that specialized knowledge into tangible outcomes. This guide will provide tips and IT resume examples to help you craft a document highlighting the best of your tech career.
Key takeaways:
When crafting an IT resume, a clean and modern template will keep the attention on your professional accomplishments. Ensure your template includes the following sections:
At the top of your resume, include all of your best contact information. Start with your name in bold letters, followed by your phone number, email address, and location. It’s also a smart move to include URLs to your LinkedIn profile and Git repositories if you have any.
Your Name
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]
City, State Abbreviation Zip Code
LinkedIn | Portfolio
The profile section of your resume should share your job title and years of experience, along with a few of your specializations, to grab the reader’s attention. Think of it as your “elevator pitch” or what makes you a viable job candidate. This could include hardware expertise, programming languages, or proficiency with relevant software.
For example, if you’ve led a cybersecurity team to safeguard company data, you could mention that here. Or, perhaps you’ve successfully integrated blockchain technology to improve transaction security. Including information like this will help convey who you are and offer compelling evidence as to why you’re qualified for the job.
Chief Technology Officer with a master’s degree in business administration and nearly a decade of executive-level leadership experience in health information technology (HIT). Prioritizes patient care through the deployment of technology. Currently leading the IT strategy for eight facilities. Passionate about team development through a culture of accountability.
Reliable help desk technician and IT undergraduate with almost two years of experience in high-volume ticket environments. Background in video management systems and computer support. Delivers technical solutions to improve system reliability through consistent client communication. Team collaborator who works well under tight deadlines.
The bulk of your IT resume will likely be taken up by your job history. For each entry, include the job title, company name and location, and years worked. Follow that with a bulleted list to describe your achievements, using numbers when you can to quantify your contributions. Focus on what you’ve accomplished instead of only listing daily job duties.
IT positions are often project-based, requiring you to work with other tech professionals and even across departments. Include a few details about your ability to collaborate on a team or even your capacity to lead one if you’re at the senior level.
Chief Information Technology Officer, Community Health Center Network, San Francisco, CA
March 2020 – present
Help Desk Technician I, Absolute Computer Solutions, Newark, NJ
March 2022 – April 2023
You’ve heard the old adage of “show, don’t tell” when it comes to describing something, and that’s precisely why using numbers and data on your resume is effective. Helping potential employers envision what your impact will be on their bottom line can improve your chances of being called for an interview. Here’s an example of how you can do this on your IT resume:
In such a technical field, hiring managers use ATS to look for specific keywords within a resume. To ensure your IT resume connects with the unique needs and expectations of potential employers, it’s best to tailor your document for every job you apply for. This starts with studying each job description before writing your resume.
Highlight the skills, programming languages, software, systems, and interpersonal qualities the employer mentions in the job ad. As you match up your own qualifications, use those keywords throughout your resume. For example, if an ad mentions “familiarity with agile and scrum methodologies,” include that phrase somewhere within the document.
If you’re an entry-level IT job seeker, you may not have much relevant job experience to include on your resume. However, it’s perfectly acceptable to list past jobs, internships, volunteer work, and academic projects during which you developed skills transferable to the IT field.
For example, if you worked in your college’s computer lab or set up a computer network for a family’s business, those types of experiences are worth mentioning. You can also describe miscellaneous non-IT jobs you’ve had, such as working retail. Jobs outside of the tech industry can still effectively demonstrate other abilities and soft skills.
As an IT professional, your education section is more than just a formality — it’s a chance to validate your technical expertise and display a foundation of knowledge. Beginning with your highest degree, provide some details on where you earned it and when. Prioritize any academic background that’s specific to the IT field.
Certifications are another way to show you’re well-prepared to handle the complexities of an IT job. For example, someone trying to make their way into a help desk position could benefit from a CompTIA A+ certification. While these credentials may not guarantee you a job, they certainly help you stand out from the competition.
Template:
[Degree Name]
[School Name], [City, State Abbreviation] | [Graduation Year]
Example:
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Computer Science
University of Maryland, College Park, MD | September 2012 – June 2016
Template:
[Certification Name], [Awarding Organization], [Completion Year]
Examples:
Certified Information Security Manager, Information Systems Audit and Control Association, 2021
For IT positions, your key skills section will be especially important. Whether you’re a video game designer or database architect, you possess a unique set of abilities that companies depend on. Scan the job description carefully, and be sure to include those specific skills you have that may be required for the position. Here’s a quick list of common keywords you’ll likely encounter as you write your IT resume:
Key Skills and Proficiencies | |
---|---|
Application development | Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning |
Attention to detail | Cybersecurity |
Data analysis | Leadership |
Networking | Organization |
Programming languages | Project management |
Scripting | System administration |
Systems architecture | Teamwork |
Using strong action verbs in your IT resume will help you stand out from other job seekers. The right word choice can better illustrate what you’ve accomplished and what hiring managers can expect. They allow you to say more while using fewer words, creating more space to elaborate on your tech career. Some dynamic verbs to consider using for your resume include:
Action Verbs | |
---|---|
Automated | Debugged |
Deployed | Developed |
Executed | Implemented |
Monitored | Optimized |
Programmed | Secured |
Streamlined | Troubleshot |
As you search for the perfect resume template, prioritize readability over cosmetic appeal. Yes, it should be aesthetically pleasing, but it must also be easy for hiring managers to navigate. There’s no doubt that a colorful, graphic-heavy resume is eye-catching. However, simplicity is best, especially in the IT industry. Potential employers are most concerned with your experience in the field and the value you can bring to their company.
Steven Martin
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]
City, State Abbreviation zip code
LinkedIn | Portfolio
Reliable help desk technician and IT undergraduate with almost two years of experience in high-volume ticket environments. Background in video management systems and computer support. Delivers technical solutions to improve system reliability through consistent client communication. Team collaborator who works well under tight deadlines.
Help Desk Technician, Yorktel, New York, NY
June 2023 – present
Help Desk Technician I, Absolute Computer Solutions, Newark, NJ
March 2022 – April 2023
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Information Technology, Expected: 2024
New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ
The job outlook for computer and IT is bright, with employment projected to grow faster than average over the next decade. However, competition is still tough as the industry recovers from overhiring during the COVID-19 pandemic. You’ll need a resume that aligns with every potential job by understanding what employers need.
Let’s say you’re applying for a job as a database administrator, and the company needs someone who has extensive experience with SQL and database optimization. In that case, you would emphasize projects and roles where you did this, using keywords and skills from the job description. Show how you’ve succeeded in the past by using the skills they’re looking for.
As we’ve discussed throughout this guide, IT professionals rely heavily on their unique skills every day. The resume that would represent those technical and interpersonal abilities well is a combination format. This layout incorporates themes from both functional and chronological resume styles, providing a balance of skills and a progressive work history.
To submit a well-rounded application, include a customized cover letter. Resumes are full of bullet points, quick takeaways, and metrics. These data points aren’t the best at telling hiring managers who you are on a personal level. A cover letter gives you the chance to share a more detailed narrative of your journey in IT and why you’re the best tech professional for the job.
ResumeTemplates offers free, HR approved resume templates to help you create a professional resume in minutes. Choose from several template options and even pre-populate a resume from your profile.