Keeping your CV updated with the myriad of ever-evolving technologies and methodologies can be quite challenging in the IT support field. Our comprehensive guide offers tailored advice to refine your CV, ensuring it showcases your skills and experiences effectively to potential employers.
- Applying best practices from real-world examples to ensure your profile always meets recruiters' expectations;
- What to include in your work experience section, apart from your past roles and responsibilities?
- Why are both hard and soft skills important for your application?
- How do you need to format your CV to pass the Applicant Tracker Software (ATS) assessment?
If you're writing your CV for a niche it support role, make sure to get some inspiration from professionals:
How complex should the format of your it support CV be?
Perhaps, you decided to use a fancy font and plenty of colours to ensure your it support CV stands out amongst the pile of other candidate profiles. Alas - this may confuse recruiters. By keeping your format simple and organising your information coherently, you'll ultimately make a better impression. What matters most is your experience, while your CV format should act as complementary thing by:- Presenting the information in a reverse chronological order with the most recent of your jobs first. This is done so that your career history stays organised and is aligned to the role;
- Making it easy for recruiters to get in touch with you by including your contact details in the CV header. Regarding the design of your CV header, include plenty of white space and icons to draw attention to your information. If you're applying for roles in the UK, don't include a photo, as this is considered a bad practice;
- Organising your most important CV sections with consistent colours, plenty of white space, and appropriate margins (2.54 cm). Remember that your CV design should always aim at legibility and to spotlight your key information;
- Writing no more than two pages of your relevant experience. For candidates who are just starting out in the field, we recommend to have an one-page CV.
One more thing about your CV format - you may be worried if your double column CV is Applicant Tracker System (ATS) complaint. In our recent study, we discovered that both single and double-column CVs are ATS-friendly . Most ATSes out there can also read all serif and sans serif fonts. We suggest you go with modern, yet simple, fonts (e.g. Rubik, Lato, Raleway) instead of the classic Times New Roman. You'll want your application to stand out, and many candidates still go for the classics. Finally, you'll have to export your CV. If you're wondering if you should select Doc or PDF, we always advise going with PDF. Your CV in PDF will stay intact and opens easily on every OS, including Mac OS.
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Be mindful of white space; too much can make the CV look sparse, too little can make it look cluttered. Strive for a balance that makes the document easy on the eyes.
The top sections on a it support CV
- Technical Skills are essential to demonstrate the practical IT knowledge and tools the applicant can handle, such as operating systems, networking, hardware, or software expertise.
- Certifications and Training showcase relevant IT certifications and training such as CompTIA A+, Cisco certifications, or Microsoft Certified IT Professional which are highly valued in IT support roles.
- Work Experience details past job roles and responsibilities, emphasizing IT support tasks such as troubleshooting, customer service, and technical assistance.
- Education and Qualifications highlight formal education that provides a foundation in IT principles, including degrees or diplomas in computer science, IT, or related fields.
- Problem-Solving Examples offer concrete instances of how the candidate has resolved technical issues, emphasizing their analytical skills and effectiveness in an IT support context.
What recruiters value on your CV:
- Highlight your technical proficiencies, including familiarity with helpdesk software, knowledge of operating systems (such as Windows, macOS, Linux), and your ability to troubleshoot hardware and software problems.
- Emphasise your customer service skills by providing examples of how you've supported users, resolved issues efficiently, and maintained high satisfaction rates in your previous IT support roles.
- Detail any relevant certifications, such as CompTIA A+, ITIL, or Microsoft Certified Professional, that demonstrate your commitment to the IT support field and your expertise in best practices.
- Outline your experience in creating and maintaining documentation, as being able to provide clear written instructions is crucial for effective IT support.
- Showcase your problem-solving skills by describing complex technical issues you've resolved and how your interventions improved system reliability or user productivity.
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Our checklist for the must-have information in your it support CV header
Right at the very top of your it support CV is where you'd find the header section or the space for your contact details, headline, and professional photo. Wondering how to present your the name of the city you live in and the country abbreviation as your address;
- are tailored to the role you're applying for by integrating key job skills and requirements;
- showcase what your unique value is, most often in the form of your most noteworthy accomplishment;
- select your relevant qualifications, skills, or current role to pass the Applicant Tracker System (ATS) assessment. Still not sure how to write your CV headline? Our examples below showcase best practices on creating effective headlines:
Examples of good CV headlines for it support:
- IT Support Analyst | Network Troubleshooting | Microsoft Certified | 5+ Years in User Assistance
- Senior IT Technician | System Administration & Security | CompTIA A+ | 10 Years Expertise
- Junior Helpdesk Support Assistant | Customer-Focused Solutions | ITIL Foundation | Passion for Tech Innovation
- Lead Technical Support Engineer | Cloud Services Specialist | Cisco CCNA | 7 Years Advanced Support
- IT Support Manager | Strategic IT Planning | Cybersecurity Enthusiast | Prince2 Practitioner | 12+ Years
- Helpdesk Coordinator | SaaS & CRM Support | Agile Methodologies | Zendesk Certified | Progressive 8-Year Career
Choosing your opening statement: a it support CV summary or objective
At the top one third of your CV, you have the chance to make a more personable impression on recruiters by selecting between:
- Summary - or those three to five sentences that you use to show your greatest achievements. Use the CV summary if you happen to have plenty of relevant experience and wish to highlight your greatest successes;
- Objective - provides you with up to five sentences to state your professional aims and mission in the company you're applying for
CV summaries for a it support job:
- Diligent IT Support Specialist with over 7 years of experience in high-pressure tech atmospheres, adept at managing server infrastructures and data-centre operations across Unix, Linux, and Windows platforms. Triumphed in reducing system downtime by 20% through proactive maintenance and incident response.
- Results-driven professional with a decade of experience in customer-facing IT roles, significant expertise in managing a variety of software systems and networks. Achieved a record 95% satisfaction rate from client feedback by delivering exceptional technical support and training.
- Dynamic marketing manager seeking an IT Support career transition, bringing strong analytical skills, an MBA in Technology Management, and a keen ability to troubleshoot complex problems. Successfully transformed the digital marketing process, increasing conversion rates by 15% through data-driven strategies.
- Former logistics coordinator eager to leverage 5 years of organisational and problem-solving skills in a technical support environment. Quick learner with a strong work ethic and a passion for developing IT solutions that enhance operational efficiency. Led a project to revolutionise inventory tracking, improving accuracy by 25%.
- As a recent computer science graduate, my objective is to apply my knowledge of hardware and software troubleshooting to deliver outstanding support services. Eager to hone my technical abilities while contributing to the success of a dynamic IT team.
- Aiming to embark on an IT Support career that utilises my extensive communication and interpersonal skills acquired during my time as a sales coordinator. Committed to developing my technical acumen and striving for excellence in every customer interaction.
The best formula for your it support CV experience section
The CV experience section is the space where many candidates go wrong by merely listing their work history and duties. Don't do that. Instead, use the job description to better understand what matters most for the role and integrate these keywords across your CV. Thus, you should focus on:
- showcasing your accomplishments to hint that you're results-oriented;
- highlighting your skill set by integrating job keywords, technologies, and transferrable skills in your experience bullets;
- listing your roles in reverse chronological order, starting with the latest and most senior, to hint at how you have grown your career;
- featuring metrics, in the form of percentage, numbers, etc. to make your success more tangible.
When writing each experience bullet, start with a strong, actionable verb, then follow it up with a skill, accomplishment, or metric. Use these professional examples to perfect your CV experience section:
Best practices for your CV's work experience section
- Provided timely and effective support to end-users by resolving technical issues, achieving a 95% customer satisfaction rate over a period of 6 months.
- Managed ticketing system with an average resolution time of under 4 hours, ensuring efficient tracking and closure of IT support cases.
- Supported the roll-out of new software applications, training over 100 employees and contributing to a 30% increase in productivity department-wide.
- Maintained a comprehensive inventory of hardware and software assets, reducing system downtime by proactively identifying and replacing aging equipment.
- Implemented robust cybersecurity measures, significantly decreasing the incidence of security breaches by 40% in one fiscal year.
- Contributed to the development of IT support documentation and knowledge base articles, reducing repeat issue tickets by 25%.
- Enhanced system performance through regular maintenance and updates, leading to a 20% reduction in reported system crashes.
- Collaborated with the IT team to deploy a network upgrade that resulted in a 15% improvement in network reliability and speed.
- Acted as the first point of contact for technical assistance, effectively prioritising and escalating issues to senior IT staff when necessary.
- Provided comprehensive IT support for over 200 employees, reducing ticket response time by 20% by implementing a prioritisation strategy.
- Managed successful rollout of company-wide upgrade to Windows 10, training staff and ensuring a seamless transition with minimal downtime.
- Led a project to increase network security, resulting in a 30% reduction in external vulnerabilities as verified by subsequent penetration testing.
- Provided end-user technical support, effectively solving 95% of issues within the first point of contact, ensuring high levels of user satisfaction.
- Streamlined software patching process, which reduced system vulnerabilities by 40% and improved compliance with IT security policies.
- Championed the adoption of a helpdesk ticketing system, improving tracking and resolution of IT incidents by 25%.
- Managed IT equipment procurement and inventory, negotiating with suppliers to reduce costs by 15% while maintaining quality standards.
- Spearheaded a BYOD policy implementation, promoting productivity by allowing employees the flexibility to use their devices securely.
- Developed and conducted monthly IT training workshops for staff, increasing overall tech proficiency and reducing dependency on support teams.
- Overhauled the company's outdated network infrastructure, upgrading to a modern setup that increased data throughput by 200%.
- Implemented a remote support system that allowed for off-site troubleshooting, cutting down resolution times by 35% and enhancing worker productivity.
- Designed and maintained the company’s internal knowledge base, reducing repeat IT inquiries by encouraging self-help among employees.
- Directed the IT support for a major cloud migration project, ensuring 99.9% system availability throughout the transition.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to deploy a custom CRM platform, leading to a 25% improvement in sales team efficiency.
- Initiated a comprehensive cybersecurity training program that increased staff awareness and reduced phishing incidents by 50%.
- Coordinated the IT component of office relocations for 500+ staff, ensuring zero downtime in core business operations.
- Developed and implemented a disaster recovery plan that was instrumental in restoring critical data within 4 hours during a major cyber incident.
- Optimized the use of virtualization technologies to consolidate servers, achieving a cost reduction in hardware maintenance by 30%.
- Designed, configured, and maintained a multi-site VPN network, enhancing communication between offices and remote workers securely.
- Automated regular system backups and implemented stringent data integrity checks, leading to a 100% recovery success rate of critical business data.
- Acted as the primary liaison between the support team and software developers to resolve complex application issues, shortening the average fix time by 40%.
- Deployed mobile device management (MDM) solutions across 1,000+ company-owned smartphones and tablets to secure corporate data and enable remote management.
- Trained new IT support hires, developing a comprehensive training program that improved team competency levels by 70%.
- Restructured the service desk process, adopting ITIL best practices which increased the efficiency of incident management by 40%.
Lacking professional expertise: how to write your CV to highlight your best talents
Don't count on your lucky stars when you're applying for a role, where you happen to have less (or almost none) professional experience. Recruiters sometimes do hire inexperienced candidates if they're able to present their unique value from the get-go. So, instead of opting for the traditional, CV experience section:
- List any applicable expertise you happen to have - no matter if it's a part-time job, internship, or volunteer work. This would hint to recruiters that your profile is relevant;
- Focus your CV on your transferrable skills or talents you've obtained thanks to your whole life and work experience. In effect, you'll be spotlighting your value as a candidate;
- Separate more space for your applicable academic background and certificates to show you have the technical know-how;
- Ensure that within your objective, you've defined why you'll like the job and how you'll be the perfect match for it. Always ensure you've tailored your CV to individual applications.
Looking for more good examples for your first job? We'll show you how other candidates, with less professional experience, have created their job-winning CVs.
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Include examples of how you adapted to new tools, environments, or work cultures, showing your flexibility.
Hard skills and soft skills to showcase your unique skill set on your it support CV
Did you know that your CV will mostly likely be assessed by recruiters based on skill alignment? And that means that the way you feature your key skills across different CV sections will play a crucial role in landing you that first interview. We recommend you add your:
- technical capabilities or hard skills in your CV experience, certificates, projects, etc. Use your past accomplishments to prove your technical capabilities. List up to a dozen different software or hardware in your dedicated skills section to match the job keywords;
- personal and communication skills or soft skills in your CV strengths, achievements, summary/ objective, etc. Soft skills are a bit more difficult to prove. How do you define your aptitude in active listening? So, instead of just listing the skill name, include a tangible metric to show your success.
On a final note, when you're in a hurry to create your profile, you may misspell a particular technology or soft skill. That's why we suggest you copy and paste the particular skill name (or keyword), directly from the job advert. This would also help you to pass any initial Applicant Tracker System (ATS) tests.
Top skills for your it support CV:
Technical Support
Network Troubleshooting
Hardware Installation
Software Configuration
System Diagnostics
Helpdesk Software
Data Backup and Recovery
Security Protocols
Cloud Services
Mobile Device Management
Problem-Solving
Communication
Customer Service
Patience
Adaptability
Time Management
Teamwork
Critical Thinking
Attention to Detail
Stress Management
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Use mini case studies or success stories in your CV to demonstrate how your skills have positively impacted previous roles or projects.
Education and more professional qualifications to include in your it support CV
If you want to showcase to recruiters that you're further qualified for the role, ensure you've included your relevant university diplomas. Within your education section:
- Describe your degree with your university name(-s) and start-graduation dates;
- List any awards you've received, if you deem they would be impressive or are relevant to the industry;
- Include your projects and publications, if you need to further showcase how you've used your technical know-how;
- Avoid listing your A-level marks, as your potential employers care to learn more about your university background.
Apart from your higher education, ensure that you've curated your relevant certificates or courses by listing the:
- name of the certificate or course;
- name of the institution within which you received your training;
- the date(-s) when you obtained your accreditation.
In the next section, discover some of the most relevant certificates for your it support CV:
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If you have received professional endorsements or recommendations for certain skills, especially on platforms like LinkedIn, mention these to add credibility.
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Key takeaways
Impressing recruiters with your experience, skill set, and values starts with your professional it support CV. Write concisely and always aim to answer job requirements with what you've achieved; furthermore:
- Select a simple design that complements your experience and ensures your profile is presentable;
- Include an opening statement that either spotlights your key achievements (summary) or showcases your career ambitions (objective);
- Curate your experience bullets, so that each one commences with a strong, action verb and is followed up by your skill and accomplishment;
- List your hard and soft skills all across different sections of your CV to ensure your application meets the requirements;
- Dedicate space to your relevant higher education diplomas and your certificates to show recruiters you have the necessary industry background.
