Resume Writing Tips for Faculty & System Administrator

Introduction

In academia and IT, your expertise and impact often extend beyond daily tasks; your resume must capture not only what you do but how well you do it. Faculty members are expected to combine research, teaching, and service, while system administrators juggle technical proficiency with problem-solving and system optimization. A well-written resume bridges your experiences with the employer’s expectations, highlighting your leadership, analytical abilities, and measurable achievements. This guide provides strategies and examples to help you build a compelling resume that resonates with hiring managers and applicant tracking systems (ATS).

1. Resume Summary

Your resume summary is your elevator pitch—the first impression that sets the tone. It should succinctly encapsulate your professional identity, key strengths, and the value you bring to the role. For faculty, focus on your academic expertise, teaching philosophy, and research contributions. For system administrators, highlight your technical skills, system management experience, and problem-solving abilities.

Example: "Experienced System Administrator with over 7 years managing scalable network infrastructures, proficient in cloud solutions and cybersecurity protocols, committed to optimizing system performance and enhancing user experience."

2. Key Skills

Key skills are critical both for human readers and ATS scans. Include a mix of hard and soft skills that are relevant and tailored to the specific role. Use exact keywords from job descriptions.

• For Faculty: Curriculum Development, Academic Research, Student Mentoring, Grant Writing, Public Speaking, Educational Technology, Data Analysis, Collaborative Projects, Peer Review, Conference Presentation.
• For System Administrators: Network Security, Windows/Linux Administration, Cloud Platforms (AWS/Azure), Virtualization (VMware), Scripting (Python/Bash), Backup and Recovery, Troubleshooting, Active Directory, Firewall Management, IT Compliance.

3. Achievements vs. Responsibilities

Focus on achievements rather than just listing responsibilities. Achievements demonstrate your impact and effectiveness, making your resume memorable. Quantify outcomes wherever possible.

Instead of "Responsible for managing network infrastructure," write "Reduced network downtime by 30% through proactive monitoring and system upgrades."

4. Tailor to Job

Customize your resume for each application. Analyze job descriptions carefully, identify keywords and required skills, and weave them naturally into your resume. Tailoring shows genuine interest and increases ATS ranking.

5. Tools

• Linux/Unix OS
• Windows Server
• AWS Cloud
• Microsoft Azure
• VMware ESXi
• Docker/Kubernetes
• Active Directory
• Cisco Networking
• Nagios/Zabbix Monitoring
• Jira Service Desk

6. Metrics

• Percentage reduction in system downtime or network latency
• Number of students mentored or classes taught
• Growth in research grant funding or publication citations
• System upgrades completed within budget and time
• Helpdesk ticket resolution rate improvement

7. Education

• List your highest degrees first, including institution and graduation year
• For faculty, include thesis title or dissertation, relevant honors, and certifications

8. Format

• Use clear, professional fonts and consistent formatting
• Stick primarily to reverse chronological order for work experience

9. Concise

Keep your resume to two pages for detailed roles like faculty or system administration. Use bullet points for clarity and avoid dense paragraphs.

10. Bonus

• Include relevant certifications (e.g., CompTIA Security+, Cisco CCNA, Certified Data Professional)
• Highlight leadership roles like committee memberships or project management

Examples

• Designed and implemented a scalable VPN solution that increased remote access reliability by 45% over 12 months.
• Secured a $100,000 research grant for interdisciplinary study, resulting in 3 peer-reviewed journal publications.

Conclusion

Crafting a standout resume as a faculty member or system administrator requires precision, a focus on measurable achievements, and the integration of leadership and analytical skills. By tailoring your content to the specific role, highlighting your impact, and leveraging tools and metrics, your resume will tell a powerful story of professional growth and expertise. A great resume not only opens the door for interviews but positions you as the strategic contributor organizations seek.