How To Write an IT Resume (With Template and Example)

IT (information technology) professionals have the specialized training and expertise required to handle computer systems. They assist businesses to sustain their computer infrastructure and solve problems for customers dealing with technology. When looking for an IT job, emphasize your key skills, experience, and certifications to make an excellent impression during interviews. In this article, we explain how to create an effective IT resume, discuss what these professionals do, explore important resume skills for IT professionals, and share a template and example to help you prepare your own.

How to create an IT resume in 7 steps

Here are seven steps you can take to prepare an excellent IT resume for a new job:

1. Decide on the resume format

When preparing an IT resume, the first step is to decide on the best resume format to use. There are two common formats used when writing resumes, chronological format and functional format. You can also use a combination of the two formats. The chronological format lists events in the order they occur, while the functional format emphasizes skills.

For an experienced IT professional, it is advisable to use a reverse-chronological format. This format highlights your current IT duties and experience, followed by academic qualifications and skills. You first list the most recent positions and experiences followed by previous positions. For those people without work experience in IT, use the functional format. In this format, you start by listing the skills you have which are related to information technology, followed by academic qualifications.

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2. Create resume header

After choosing your resume format, you can start filling out the resume template. Begin with the resume header, which contains your full name, location, phone number, and email address. Make your name stand out from the other details by increasing the font or using bold letters. Contact information enables the hiring manager to reach you for an interview or other clarification they might need from you.

Related: What To Put in a Resume

3. Write resume summary

Write your career summary under the resume header. A summary statement is a brief introduction, showing your past IT successes, relevant skills, and job history. Your resume summary enables the IT manager to understand your quality and develop further interest in your job application quickly. Get the attention of the manager by personalizing the summary statement and using numbers to illustrate your achievements. If you don't yet have IT experience, you can use a career objective in place of a resume summary.

Related: A Guide to Writing a Resume Summary With Samples

4. Describe your IT experience

In this part, show where you have worked before, starting with the most recent role. Write your job title, the name of the company, and the period you worked there. Also, include your job responsibilities and the skills you used to complete them. In this section, you can add your proudest achievements and support your assertions with figures to improve the convincing power of your resume.

If you achieved any recognition or awards in your previous positions, include them in this part. Remember to pick the most relevant IT tasks you accomplished that match the requirements of the job you're seeking. If you don't yet have any IT experience, outline any relevant skills and responsibilities that are transferrable to the role. You may consider volunteer work or internship programs.

Related: 4 Steps To Highlight Your Achievements on a Resume

5. List your academic qualifications

Employers prefer education qualifications to be added to the resume for IT jobs. Indicate all your academic credentials starting with the latest. Show the schools you attended, the period you were there, and the grades you attained if they're impressive. If you have a degree or another post-secondary qualification, it may not be necessary to include your high school education in the resume.

6. Specify relevant certifications

Professional IT certifications show the hiring manager that you're reliable, dedicated, and capable of performing IT duties. If you have any relevant certifications, list them in this section. State the name of the certification, the certifying body, and the year obtained.

Related: 11 Popular IT Certifications to Advance in Your Career

7. Feature your skills and abilities

The skills you indicate in your resume help the recruiting manager gauge your suitability for the job. List down the hard skills and the soft skills you have which apply to your desired role. Hard skills are technical abilities like software development, while soft skills are life-earned qualities like communication.

Related: How To List Your Certifications on a Resume

What do IT professionals do?

IT professionals assemble, set up, test, repair, and service computer hardware and software systems. There are several categories of IT experts, including IT technicians, network engineers, technical support experts, and computer programmers. They perform different duties according to their specialization. Here are some typical responsibilities of IT professionals you can include in your resume:

• handle communication with customers

• refer difficult support requests to appropriate staff for action

• analyze support problems and find a suitable solution

• prepare and maintain records of IT support problems and their resolution process

• complete the duties allocated on time

• ensure the safety and privacy of both the company and customer documents

• report system failure to the management

• fix, configure, and service computer hardware and software

• help develop and improve IT systems

• evaluate potential risks or technical hitches and come up with suitable measures to mitigate them.

• conduct training to new staff and new users on IT-related topics

• suggest ways to improve existing processes to enhance system dependability, safety, integrity and performance

• perform duties in compliance with the safety and quality requirements

Related: 14 Professions to Consider for Holders of IT Degrees

Key IT professional skills in a resume

Here are important skills to include in your resume when applying for an IT job:

• Communication skills: IT professionals perform duties including training other members of staff and explaining technical topics to customers. You require excellent verbal and written communication to help you express yourself clearly.

• Organization skills: Careers in IT are dynamic and involve handling different projects at the same time. You need the ability to plan your time and daily tasks properly, to ensure you attend to all tasks within the time frame.

• Analytical skills: One responsibility of IT experts is to identify technology problems and resolve them. Being analytical enables you to identify problems and find solutions to them.

• Creativity: Technology jobs involve the improvement of procedures and products. High creativity enables you to come up with unique ideas to develop new processes and new IT products.

• Project management: IT experts work on many projects at the same time. This requires the ability to make plans and set and achieve goals while working with others to finish the projects on time.

• Problem-solving: IT experts come across various problems during their normal duties. Problem-solving skills help you to find solutions for these problems.

• Coding skills: The ability to write codes is one of the basic skills employers look for when recruiting IT professionals. To excel in the IT field, you require practical knowledge of coding languages and programming.

• Computer skills: IT professionals use computers in their daily duties. Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office is essential.

• Database skills: Many types of IT professionals require database skills to perform their duties. To succeed in IT roles, you need the knowledge to perform database-linked roles like database administration and database management.

Related:

• How to Include Technology Skills on Your Resume

• Project Management Skills for a Resume (With How to Improve)

A sample resume for an IT specialist

Here is a sample of a resume for an IT specialist that you can modify for your use:

Peter Jackson
Toronto, Ontario
250-444-444
Peter.jackson@me.com

Professional Summary

Reliable and result-oriented IT specialist with 4+ years of experience in a leading technology firm. Rated highly in troubleshooting systems, database programming, and software installation and completed CompTIA A+ certification. Looking for an opportunity to leverage my technical skills and aptitude to advance my career as the next IT specialist for SmartGuru Group.

Work history

IT specialist

Superfoods, Toronto, Ontario, June 2017- October 2020

• Maintained 300+ company computers and accessories to reduce costs by 15%

• Helped clients in identifying software and hardware problems

• Trained new employees on technical procedures

• Enhanced network abilities by 20% through designing effective connectivity and network configurations.

• Headed periodic hardware and software upgrades in the company

Key achievement: Identified new equipment ordering solution. Reduced costs of equipment by 15%.

IT support specialist

Xylo Web, Toronto, Ontario, Jan 2015–May 2017

• Installed and configured computer hardware and software and other computer accessories

• Achieved 10% above the average customer satisfaction. Used empathy and listening skills to ensure quality customer service

• Attended to customer issues and resolved them in a timely manner

• Ensured smooth running of 200+ computer windows and network

Education

• B.Sc. Computer Science
  The University of Whistler
  2014

Key skills

• system administration

• network configuration

• software installation

• troubleshooting

• customer service

• technical support

Certifications

• 2018, MS Server

• 2017, CompTIA A+

With this IT resume template and example, applying for your next IT role should be seamless.

Please note that none of the companies, institutions or organizations mentioned in this article are affiliated with Indeed. The model shown is for illustration purposes only, and may require additional formatting to meet accepted standards.