Achieving the right balance between technical jargon and accessibility on your CV can be a significant challenge in your quest to showcase your expertise as a network engineer. Our guide offers you tailored advice to fine-tune your language, ensuring it strikes the perfect note with recruiters and highlights your proficiency.
- Answer job requirements with your network engineer CV and experience;
- Curate your academic background and certificates, following industry-leading CV examples;
- Select from +10 niche skills to match the ideal candidate profile
- Write a more succinct experience section that consists of all the right details.
Do you need more specific insights into writing your network engineer CV? Our guides focus on unique insights for each individual role:
Structuring your network engineer CV layout: four factors to keep in mind
There are plenty of best practices out there for your CV layout and design. At the end of the day, a clear format and concise CV message should be your top priority. Use your CV design to enhance separate sections, bringing them to the forefront of recruiters' attention. At the same time, you can write content that:- Follows the reverse chronological order in the experience section by first listing your most recent jobs;
- Incorporates your contact information in the header, but do skip out on the CV photo for roles in the UK;
- Is spotlighted in the most important sections of your CV, e.g. the summary or objective, experience, education, etc. to show just how you meet the job requirements;
- Is no longer than two-pages. Often, the one-page format can be optimal for your network engineer CV.
Before submitting your CV, you may wonder whether to export it in Doc or PDF. With the PDF format, your information and layout stay intact. This is quite useful when your CV is assessed by the Applicant Tracker System (or the ATS) . The ATS is a software that scans your profile for all relevant information and can easily understand latest study on the ATS , which looks at your CV columns, design, and so much more.
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For certain fields, consider including infographics or visual elements to represent skills or achievements, but ensure they are simple, professional, and enhance rather than clutter the information.
The top sections on a network engineer CV
- Professional Summary highlights expertise and experience.
- Technical Skills section showcases network technologies knowledge.
- Work Experience details relevant job history and achievements.
- Certifications prove formal qualifications and technical competency.
- Education Background includes degrees relevant to network engineering.
What recruiters value on your CV:
- Highlight your understanding of network infrastructure by detailing your experience with routers, switches, firewalls, and load balancers, focusing on both the design and troubleshooting aspects.
- Showcase certifications like CCNA, CCNP, or CompTIA Network+ to establish credibility and demonstrate your commitment to the professional standards in network engineering.
- Emphasise your hands-on experience with network protocols such as TCP/IP, BGP, OSPF, and EIGRP, and explain how you've applied these protocols in complex network topologies.
- Outline your proficiency in network automation by mentioning the use of scripting languages such as Python and configuration management tools like Ansible, which are becoming increasingly crucial in modern network operations.
- Document any experience with cloud services such as AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud, focusing on projects related to network connectivity, security, and performance within cloud environments.
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How to present your contact details and job keywords in your network engineer CV header
Located at the top of your network engineer CV, the header presents recruiters with your key personal information, headline, and professional photo. When creating your CV header, include your:
- Contact details - avoid listing your work email or telephone number and, also, email addresses that sound unprofessional (e.g. koolKittyCat$3@gmail.com is definitely a big no);
- Headline - it should be relevant, concise, and specific to the role you're applying for, integrating keywords and action verbs;
- Photo - instead of including a photograph from your family reunion, select one that shows you in a more professional light. It's also good to note that in some countries (e.g. the UK and US), it's best to avoid photos on your CV as they may serve as bias.
What do other industry professionals include in their CV header? Make sure to check out the next bit of your guide to see real-life examples:
Examples of good CV headlines for network engineer:
- Network Engineer | CCNP Certified | Cybersecurity Enthusiast | 5 Years in IT Infrastructure Management
- Senior Network Architect | MPLS Expert | ITIL Foundation | 10+ Years' Progressive Experience
- Junior Network Administrator | LAN/WAN Specialist | Recent CompTIA Network+ Graduate | Passion for Cloud Solutions
- Lead Network Operations Analyst | Cisco Environments | Focus on Scalability | 15 Years in Industry
- Network Solutions Engineer | Virtualisation Pro | CCIE Security | Innovative Connectivity Strategist | 8 Years
- Systems & Network Engineer | Disaster Recovery Planning | AWS Certified | Proven Track Record | 6 Years Experience
Opting between a network engineer CV summary or objective
Within the top one third of your network engineer CV, you have the opportunity to briefly summarise your best achievements or present your professional goals and dreams. Those two functions are met by either the CV summary or the objective.
- The summary is three-to-five sentences long and should narrate your best successes, while answering key requirements for the role. Select up to three skills which you can feature in your summary. Always aim to present what the actual outcomes were of using your particular skill set. The summary is an excellent choice for more experienced professionals.
- The objective is more focused on showcasing your unique value as a candidate and defining your dreams and ambitions. Think about highlighting how this current opportunity would answer your career vision. Also, about how you could help your potential employers grow. The objective matches the needs of less experienced candidates, who need to prove their skill set and, in particular, their soft skills.
Still not sure about how to write your CV opening statement? Use some best industry examples as inspiration:
CV summaries for a network engineer job:
- Accomplished Network Engineer with over 10 years of experience in designing, implementing, and troubleshooting complex networks for large organisations. Expertise in Cisco routers, switches, and firewalls. Successfully reduced network outages by 30% for a Fortune 500 company through strategic enhancements.
- Dedicated IT Professional transitioning into Network Engineering with a strong foundation in software development and system administration, bringing 5 years of tech experience. Proficient in Python and Linux environments, with a commitment to achieving CCNA certification to further enhance network management skills.
- Dynamic Systems Analyst, pivoting to a Network Engineer career, leveraging 6 years of experience with enterprise data systems, SQL database management, and a recent focus on network security protocols. Actively seeking to apply analytical skills to a more focused technical networking role.
- Senior Network Engineer, with 15+ years steering complex network projects, holding multiple Cisco certifications, and proficient in multivendor environments. Recognised for designing a secure and resilient network infrastructure for a leading e-commerce platform that supported a 200% traffic surge.
- Aspiring Network Engineer, eager to build foundational expertise in network design, analysis, and security. Keen to apply academic skills from a Master's in Computer Science and recent CCENT certification to real-world applications and contribute to the development of cutting-edge network solutions.
- Recent graduate in Network Systems with a passion for cybersecurity seeking to apply theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience gained through university labs and a 6-month internship. Aim to develop skills in network automation and management with a focus on protecting digital assets against emerging threats.
Narrating the details of your network engineer CV experience section
Perhaps you've heard it time and time again, but, how you present your experience is what matters the most. Your CV experience section - that details your work history alongside your accomplishments - is the space to spotlight your unqiue expertise and talents. So, avoid solely listing your responsibilities, but instead:
- adverts' keywords and integrate those in your experience section;
- Use your CV to detail how you've been promoted in the past by including experience in the reverse chronological order.
Before you start writing your network engineer CV experience section, dive into some industry-leading examples on how to structure your bullets.
Best practices for your CV's work experience section
- Designed and implemented secure network infrastructures using Cisco, Juniper, and HP equipment to support organisational needs, minimising downtime and maximising performance.
- Configured and maintained network hardware including routers, switches, and firewalls, ensuring robust security and compliance with industry standards.
- Utilised network monitoring tools such as SolarWinds, Nagios, and Wireshark to proactively identify and resolve network issues, reducing the mean time to repair by 30%.
- Developed network documentation and topology maps to provide clear understanding of network designs for cross-functional teams and management.
- Led troubleshooting and problem-solving efforts during network outages, coordinating with vendors and IT teams to restore services swiftly.
- Coordinated with project managers on new site deployments, successfully rolling out network infrastructure in line with project timelines and company standards.
- Implemented network security measures, including VPNs, access control lists (ACLs), and intrusion detection systems (IDS) to safeguard sensitive data.
- Planned and executed network upgrades and migrations without service interruption, using change management protocols to maintain operational stability.
- Collaborated with cyber security teams to conduct network audits and vulnerability assessments, recommending enhancements to fortify network defences.
- Designed and implemented a secure multi-site LAN/WAN environment for a leading financial firm, ensuring high availability and redundancy.
- Successfully led the migration of data centre infrastructure to a hybrid cloud model, cutting operational costs by 20%.
- Coordinated with cross-functional teams to roll out VoIP solutions across 10+ locations, enhancing communication capabilities company-wide.
- Spearheaded the deployment of a Cisco-based network infrastructure, resulting in a 30% increase in network performance.
- Developed comprehensive network security policies, and conducted training for 100+ staff members on cybersecurity best practices.
- Optimised network configurations that allowed for a seamless introduction of BYOD policies, increasing employee satisfaction and productivity.
- Managed a team responsible for the maintenance and troubleshooting of a complex WAN infrastructure connecting over 50 international branches.
- Architected a scalable network design using MPLS technology that improved data transfer efficiency between branches by 40%.
- Conducted network performance analyses periodically and proposed enhancements, which reduced downtimes by 15% annually.
- Executed the rollout of an enterprise-grade firewall and intrusion detection system, bolstering the network's resilience to cyber-attacks.
- Led a successful pilot program integrating IoT devices into the existing network, enhancing operational efficiency in manufacturing processes.
- Created detailed network documentation and topology maps, significantly reducing the incident response time.
- Implemented a network monitoring solution that provided real-time insights into network traffic, reducing unidentified traffic by 25%.
- Championed the upgrade of network infrastructure to support 10Gbps connectivity across the organization, facilitating high-speed data access.
- Developed disaster recovery plans that ensured 99.99% uptime, preserving business continuity during critical periods.
- Orchestrated the end-to-end network lifecycle management for over 200 switches and routers, ensuring optimal network performance.
- Implemented a new routing protocol strategy using OSPF, which resulted in a 35% improvement in network convergence times.
- Collaborated with external vendors to secure networking equipment at competitive prices, saving the company an average of 10% on annual procurement costs.
- Drove the design and deployment of a WAN optimization project that increased application performance by over 50% for remote users.
- Led a cross-functional team in a large-scale SD-WAN implementation, enhancing network agility and reducing reliance on traditional MPLS connections.
- Evaluated and integrated network management tools that provided comprehensive visibility into network health and performance metrics.
- Instrumental in designing a network traffic load balancing system that evenly distributed service demands, dramatically reducing instances of bottlenecks.
- Managed critical network upgrade projects in tight timeframes, which included successfully replacing legacy switches without disrupting business operations.
- Routinely collaborated with the cybersecurity team to ensure that network architecture aligned with stringent industry security standards.
How to ensure your network engineer CV stands out when you have no experience
This part of our step-by-step guide will help you substitute your experience section by helping you spotlight your skill set. First off, your ability to land your first job will depend on the time you take to assess precisely how you match the job requirements. Whether that's via your relevant education and courses, skill set, or any potential extracurricular activities. Next:
- Systematise your CV so that it spotlights your most relevant experience (whether that's your education or volunteer work) towards the top;
- Focus recruiters' attention to your transferrable skill set and in particular how your personality would be the perfect fit for the role;
- Consider how your current background has helped you build your technological understanding - whether you've created projects in your free time or as part of your uni degree;
- Ensure you've expanded on your teamwork capabilities with any relevant internships, part-time roles, or projects you've participated in the past.
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Include examples of how you adapted to new tools, environments, or work cultures, showing your flexibility.
Key network engineer CV skills: what are hard skills and soft skills
Let's kick off with the basics. You know that you have to include key job requirements or skills across your CV. For starters, take individual skills from the job description and copy-paste them into your CV, when relevant. Doing so, you'll ensure you have the correct skill spelling and also pass the Applicant Tracker System (ATS) assessment. There are two types of skills you'll need to include on your CV:
- Hard skills - technical abilities that are best defined by your certificates, education, and experience. You could also use the dedicated skills section to list between ten and twelve technologies you're apt at using that match the job requirements.
- Soft skills - your personal traits and interpersonal communication skills that are a bit harder to quantify. Use various CV sections, e.g. summary, strengths, experience, to shine a spotlight on your workspace achievements, thanks to using particular soft skills.
Remember that your job-winning CV should balance both your hard and soft skills to prove your technical background, while spotlighting your personality.
Top skills for your network engineer CV:
Network Design and Implementation
Routing Protocols (BGP, OSPF, EIGRP)
Switching (VLAN, STP)
Network Security (Firewalls, IDS/IPS)
WAN Technologies (MPLS, VPLS, VPN)
IP Addressing and Subnetting
Network Troubleshooting and Diagnostics
Wireless Networking Standards
Network Management Tools (SolarWinds, Nagios)
Cloud Networking (AWS, Azure Networking Services)
Analytical Thinking
Problem-Solving
Communication
Teamwork
Adaptability
Continuous Learning
Time Management
Attention to Detail
Project Management
Customer Service
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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 network engineer 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 network engineer CV:
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If there's a noticeable gap in your skillset for the role you're applying for, mention any steps you're taking to acquire these skills, such as online courses or self-study.
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Key takeaways
Your successful job application depends on how you well you have aligned your network engineer CV to the job description and portrayed your best skills and traits. Make sure to:
- Select your CV format, so that it ensures your experience is easy to read and understand;
- Include your professional contact details and a link to your portfolio, so that recruiters can easily get in touch with you and preview your work;
- Write a CV summary if you happen to have more relevant professional experience. Meanwhile, use the objective to showcase your career dreams and ambitions;
- In your CV experience section bullets, back up your individual skills and responsibilities with tangible achievements;
- Have a healthy balance between hard and soft skills to answer the job requirements and hint at your unique professional value.
