Network Engineer Resume Examples, Skills, and Keywords

Tip # 1: Begin with a Strong Summary

A resume objective is the opening paragraph of your resume. It’s also your first and possibly last chance to make an impression on a hiring manager. Use it wisely.

‌Good network engineer resume samples begin with a strong resume objective that explains how the applicant will solve the hiring manager’s problem. Mention how long you’ve been in the field, your primary duties, and any relevant skills or certifications. After reading your objective, the hiring manager should have a basic understanding of the skills you offer and why you’re a great candidate.

‌Keep your opening paragraph short and to the point. Two to three sentences are more than enough to summarize your experience and include relevant network engineer resume keywords.

Tip # 2: List Common Skills for Network Engineers

Network engineering requires a broad range of technical skills across both software and hardware. Hiring managers look for specific skills, programming languages, and other qualifications when sorting through applicants. Listing your relevant knowledge and skills in a single place makes it easy for them to scan your resume and find what they’re looking for.

You should also customize your resume for every job application. Job posts will include the skills that the company wants out of a network engineer. Adding these skills to your resume can help you stand out among the applicant pool.

Tip # 3: Use Action Words

Don’t be vague in your resume. You have the space of a page to explain your career and skillset. Be specific and focus on active voice instead of passive voice.

For example, instead of saying you “took part” in a project, explain what you did. Did you “lead” the project, or “manage” elements and “implement” procedures? Using these specific verbs instead of generic words gives hiring managers a better idea of what you have actually accomplished.

Avoid generic terms like:

• Make
• Talk
• Take part
• Arrive
• Appear
• Guide
• Responsible for

Instead, use action verbs that are relevant to network engineering, like:

• Update
• Lead
• Consult
• Supervise
• Implement
• Configure
• Document
• Identify
• Design
• Research
• Train
• Teach

Tip # 4: Reference Hard Numbers

Hard numbers support your claims in a way that appeals to engineers. Many elements of network engineering measure success in data and statistics. Just like action verbs are more interesting than generic words, hard numbers are more useful than general statements.

‌For example, you can say that you designed a network and managed an extensive client database, or you could be more specific. “Designed a 500 node network” and “Managed a 10,000+ client database” are both more accurate and more attractive to hiring teams.

‌Putting hard numbers to your successes allows the hiring manager to compare apples to apples.

Tip # 5: Make Your Professional Experience Clear

When you’re applying to network engineering positions, humility isn’t a virtue. Hiring managers want to choose the best possible candidate. When you downplay your accomplishments and experience, you make yourself seems less appealing and give other job applicants an advantage.

‌Instead, explain your experience in clean, quantifiable language. List your position titles, the companies for which you worked, and the dates you worked there. Then list your responsibilities and achievements according to their relevance to your job application.

If you aren’t sure what’s worth including, put yourself in a manager’s shoes. What would make your life easier if you were running a business? Ask yourself:

• Did you save money for a company?
• Did you reduce downtime?
• ‌Did you develop new and more efficient systems?

Highlight any of these accomplishments and include quantifiable data when you can. An applicant who’s saved a previous employer thousands of dollars is an exciting prospect. When you can explain how you’ve actively helped your past employers, you have a strong argument for why you’re worth hiring.