How to Write a Network Engineer Resume

Key takeaways

An impressive network engineer resume includes your contact information, education, relevant experience, as well as network engineering skills and certifications.

• Certifications for network-engineering-related topics, from well-known providers like Juniper Networks, AWS, and Cisco, show your professional expertise, develop your skill set, and make you more marketable to potential employers who see them on your resume [1].

• Include experience you've had with computer networks, networking equipment, maintenance, and troubleshooting issues in your resume.

• You can align your skills with those listed in the job description you're applying for, such as network monitoring and cybersecurity fundamentals.

Explore what you can include in your resume to help secure a network engineering position. Or, if you're looking to build job-ready skills, consider enrolling in the Akamai Network Engineering Professional Certificate. You'll have the opportunity to develop a working knowledge of network security management principles, learn and implement networking technologies such as TCP/IP and DNS to ensure efficient data transmission, build basic SQL commands for effective data management and data analysis, and master up-to-date practical skills and knowledge that network operation engineers use in their daily roles.

Network engineer resume fundamentals

Network engineers are responsible for developing and monitoring computer networks for companies and organizations, allowing computers to communicate with each other through network systems.

Network engineering jobs can include daily responsibilities such as installing and configuring network equipment, reviewing and updating data security systems, troubleshooting networking issues, and monitoring computer systems.

Follow these seven steps to learn how to present your network engineering skills in a resume to attract the attention of hiring managers.

Step 1: Create a network engineer resume template

You can choose from three resume formats when deciding how you want to format your network engineer resume for potential employers:

• Chronological resume: This format emphasizes your work experience in network engineering and starts with your most recent job, followed by other previous experience. It is a good option if you have previous work experience.

• Functional resume: A functional resume highlights your acquired skills and strengths rather than your previous work experience. Consider this option if you are starting in the networking engineering field and want to emphasize the skills you’ve learned more than previous experience.

• Combination resume: This format combines aspects of both the chronological and functional resumes by highlighting the skills you’ve developed in previous network engineering roles. Consider using a combination resume when you've had various types of jobs and want to highlight the relevant skills you've gained from each, you want to condense many years of professional experience, or you want to highlight impressive achievements from various positions. 

Step 2: Add your contact information

Include your contact information at the top of your resume so potential employers can reach you. Include information such as your name, email address, and phone number. Add suffixes after your name if you've earned relevant credentials, such as CCNP for the Cisco Certified Network Professional. Update your LinkedIn profile and include a link to it. Be sure to check the listing of the job you're applying for to see if the employer requires additional contact information.

Step 3: Write your resume summary

A resume summary is a quick way to introduce yourself to a potential employer. It’s a good idea to use this space to highlight the years of experience you have as a network engineer, your particular skills, or what kind of positions you’re looking for.

The focus of your resume summary will vary depending on how much experience you have in the field. If you've previously worked in the networking field, you can focus on the skills you have or the industries you’ve worked in, and if you have no previous network engineering experience, you can focus on your education or certifications in order to earn a job as a network engineer.

Step 4: Showcase your network engineer skills

Network engineering requires specific skill sets that can vary depending on your experience, so it’s important to include a variety of workplace skills.

One issue of note is that network engineers and network administrators have similar functions, so you may want to use this space to differentiate yourself from an administrator role by focusing on your work configuring and developing networks rather than maintaining them, which is an experience more suited for a network administrator position.

Some of the skills you can focus on include:

• Networking fundamentals: Know the basics of routing, switching, and networking, as well as protocols like TCP/IP.

• Network design: Understand how to design and implement networks based on your knowledge of networking infrastructure, hardware, and design principles.

• Cybersecurity fundamentals: You will want a good grasp of network security issues, including firewalls, VPNs, and other network security fundamentals.

• Network monitoring: It’s important to know how to monitor traffic and performance for networks, knowing how to respond to issues to minimize the amount of time a network may not be running optimally.

Workplace skills are also important for a network engineer, including strong communication, project management, and problem-solving.

Step 5: Include your professional experience

Your previous experience in network engineering is an important part of your potential success in a new position. Hiring managers want to know what you’ve accomplished in your career and what you’ll bring to the new position. 

You will want to include the names of your previous employers and the dates you worked there. Your resume will also include your accomplishments and responsibilities in each position.

For network engineers specifically, you may want to focus on your work with computer networks, as well as networking equipment, maintenance, and troubleshooting issues.

Step 6: Feature your certifications

Certifications can show potential employers you have the education needed to do the job effectively, and a desire to continue learning. Add a section in your resume for certifications you’ve earned to build your knowledge of network engineering and make yourself stand out from other applicants. 

Some certifications you may want to pursue include:

• AWS Certified Advanced Networking - Specialty

• CompTIA A+

• Cisco Certified Field Technician (CCT)

• Juniper JNCIA-Junos

• Microsoft Certified: Azure Network Engineer Associate

Certifications for network-engineering-related topics are good for your resume and your career because they show your professional expertise, develop your skill set, and make you more marketable to potential employers who see them on your resume.

Step 7: Include your education

Potential employers want to know about your education, whether you’re looking at an entry-level position or a position that requires previous work experience. Include information like the school you graduated from, as well as your degree and major. You can include the year you graduated, but it’s not necessary, especially if you prefer not to highlight your age, have over a decade of experience, or have a large gap between your graduation date and when you started your career. 

For a network engineering position, 62 percent of network engineers have a bachelor’s degree, while 21 percent have an associate degree, and 10 percent have a master’s degree. The top majors include electrical engineering, computer science, computer information systems, and business, according to Zippia [2].

Summary of tips for your network engineer resume

• Find a template for your resume that makes it easy to read.

• Show relevant information such as education, experience, certifications, and how to reach you.

• Choose the format that best suits your skills, such as chronological, functional, or a combination of both.

• Review your skills to ensure they match the keywords for the job description.

Read more: 11 Common Network Engineer Interview Questions and How to Prepare

Explore free network engineering career resources

Discover fresh insights into your career or learn about trends in your industry by subscribing to our LinkedIn newsletter, Career Chat. Then, check out these free resources for your network engineering career:

• Earn a certification: CCNA vs. Network+: Which Certification Wins?

• Hear from a peer: Meet the Engineer Strengthening His Leadership Skills

• Watch on YouTube: What Is a Three-Way Handshake in Networking?

With Coursera Plus, you can learn and earn credentials at your own pace from over 350 leading companies and universities. With a monthly or annual subscription, you’ll gain access to over 10,000 programs—just check the course page to confirm your selection is included.

Build job-ready skills with Coursera Plus

Start 7-day free trial

• 
• 
• 
• 

Start 7-day free trial