How To Write A Linux Administrator Resume (With Example)

Updated 16 March 2023

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A Linux administrator is an information technology (IT) professional who installs, updates and maintains Linux operating systems. Often working within the IT department of organisations, these professionals can use various programming languages to monitor and maintain technical system security, efficiencies and user performances. If you are interested in applying for a Linux administrator role, learning more about how to create an effective resume can increase your chances of getting hired.

In this article, we describe how to write a Linux administrator resume and provide a template, an example and tips to help you write yours successfully for your job application process.

How To Write A Linux Administrator Resume?

These seven steps can help you understand how to write a Linux administrator resume:

1. Add an effective header

To begin your resume, add a clear and effective header to the top of your document that details your contact information. This can include your full name, phone number, professional email address, location and professional website or job profile. Including this information can make it easier for a hiring manager to contact you if they have questions or want to set up an interview. It can also help a hiring manager easily file and locate your document if necessary for organisational procedures.

2. Write a professional summary

Your professional summary can detail the qualifications that you think best demonstrate your fit for the new role. Write a two-to-three sentence statement describing any relevant previous experiences, education, certifications, skills or achievements that you find exemplary. As this statement may be one of the first impressions a hiring manager receives, try to make your statement clear and informative.

3. Describe your job experience

A work experience section can include your professional experiences. List two or three of your most relevant previous roles, beginning with your most recent or current role. As you list each position, include your job title, the start and end dates of your role, the company names and locations. If you choose to list a position that you currently hold, use the word current rather than end date.

After listing each position, you can add a few bullet points that describe your duties and impacts within each role. Use strong, actionable verbs like installed or "monitored" to articulate your responsibilities clearly. Add past tense verbs for previous roles and present tense verbs for a current position. These bullet points can also include specific, quantifiable data surrounding your impacts. For example, you can describe the number of security checks you ran per week or the percentage that system speed and efficiency increased after an optimisation.

4. List skills

Your skills section can briefly list three or four relevant and impressive Linux administrator skills. This can include hard, industry skills like specific programming languages or software and soft, general skills like problem-solving or creativity. If the job description document includes any specific skill requirements that you possess, add them here so that a hiring manager can easily see how you match the profile of their desired candidate.

5. Include your educational journey

List your highest level of educational achievement. For many Linux administrators, this is a bachelor's or a master's degree in areas such as computer science, programming or IT. When you include your educational information, add the name of the degree and the institution. If you graduated within the last three years, include your graduation date.

6. Provide certifications

If you have any certifications within your field, you can list them along with the name of the assigning institution and the year you received each designation. Linux administrators may receive certification in the Linux operating system or for other programming languages and platforms. While these designations may be optional for many positions, they can help you advance your skills and demonstrate your dedication to your field.

7. Proofread your document

Before submitting your resume, proofread it to make sure there are no repetitions or grammatical or language errors. You can look over your document several times and read it out loud to see if it reads and sounds correct. You can also ask trusted friends or peers in a similar field for feedback on areas of improvement. As Linux administrators may use attention to detail within their role, a clean resume can show a hiring manager you know about your organisation and attention to detail skills.

Linux Administrator Resume Template

You can refer to this template to help you draft your own document if you have three or more years of experience:

[First name] [Last name], [Degree or certification if applicable]
[Phone number] | [Professional email address] | [Location] | [Professional profile]

Professional Summary

[Two to three sentences that highlight years of experience, relevant skills, education or certifications and achievements as a professional.]

Work Experience

(For the most recent role, list 5 experience items. For previous roles, list 3.)

[Job Title], [Employment dates]
[Company Name], [Location]

(Strong verb) + what you did (more detail) + reason, outcome or quantified results.
[Job duty]
[Job duty]
[Job duty]
[Job duty]

[Job Title], [Employment dates]
[Company Name], [Location]

(Strong verb) + what you did (more detail) + reason, outcome or quantified results.
[Job duty]
[Job duty]

Skills

Option 1

Option 2

Education

Option 1

[Degree and major], [Name of school or university]

Option 2

[Degree and major] | [Name of school or university]

[City], [State]

Optional

[Certification name], [Host organisation] - [Year completed or expiration date]

Example Linux Administrator Resume

Here is a sample resume that you can review to understand how to describe your own qualifications:

Ram Tupe
22 9145 6792 | rtupe@email.com | Mumbai, Maharashtra | rtupe@jobs.profile.com

Professional Summary

Detail-oriented Linux Administrator with over six years of experience working within the Linux operating system. Comfortable working in independent and team settings to instal, maintain and optimise Linux programs.

Work Experience

Linux Team Lead, May 2019–Current
East Langford Technologies | Mumbai, Maharashtra

Manage Linux operating systems
Lead a team of 15 Linux administrators and programmers
Troubleshoot software to minimise any security threats or performance issues
Optimise operating systems to improve efficiency by 11% within a year
Create file systems to store system data

Linux Administrator, May 2016–May 2019
Westfield Tech | Mumbai, Maharashtra

Designed Linux systems to increase company productivity
Tested technical equipment and software for effectiveness
Maintained complex, multifunction systems and devices

Skills

Programming | Linux development and installation | Leadership | Problem-solving| Collaboration

Education

Bachelor of Science in computer science
Jimville Technical University

Certifications

CompTIA Linux+ Certification, CompTia - 2019
Red Hat Certified Engineer, Red Hat - 2017

Tips For Creating A Linux Administrator Resume

These tips can help you describe your qualifications:

Read the job description

Before beginning your resume, read over the job description document several times to understand what an employer is looking for in a potential candidate. Note any skills or requirements that they underline or highlight. Within your resume, you can include these important keywords to show that you are a good fit for the new role. Some sections where you can add these requirements include your professional summary and work experience and skills areas.

Match the resume to the position

While you may include similar information on each resume you write, try to create slightly different versions of each document for new roles. This can help you prioritise the skills and experiences that a new organisation looks for in a candidate. For example, if a position requires the use of a certain programming language, focus on positions and experiences that demonstrate your skills in that area.

Use the proper format

Try to select simple and professional formatting options for your resume document. You can locate a resume template online or create one of your own. As you write the content of your document, you can use a standardised, 12-point font size with a traditionally accepted font like Times New Roman. As you proofread, you can also check for any formatting errors that make the resume appear inconsistent or incorrect. A good way to do this is to print out your document to see how it may look to a hiring manager.

Seek guidance from industry professionals.

While you can ask for feedback from family or friends, you can also seek guidance from those within your field. If you have a mentor or trusted colleague, ask to see their resume so that you can model yours from it. As you read over their document, note any keywords or phrases that appear frequently. You can also ask your mentor for any tips about the job search process.