What To Include On An IT Resume + IT Skills

Learn about the important requirements, skills, and keywords that should be included in an IT resume.

For resume help from an expert, explore our guide to the best resume writing services.

A well-crafted resume could be the difference between landing a job interview (and eventually a job) and receiving a quick pass over only to end up at the bottom of the resume pile.

If you're looking to enter the IT industry, you need a resume that focuses on your unique experiences and skills that make you an attractive candidate. While similar to other resume types, an IT resume contains information specific to individuals entering an information technology career.

If you want to land your next IT job, check out ZipRecruiter! ZipRecruiter is free, easy to use and you can apply for jobs with one click!

What Is Unique About An IT Resume?

An IT resume highlights your skills and experiences relevant to a career in the information technology field. It features information about previous education and training, certifications, skills, and experiences.

While it's not that much different than other career resumes, the goal with an IT resume is to capture the attention of recruiters and hiring managers looking for qualified candidates in the IT field. Typically, the chronological resume format that highlights your most recent work experience works best for IT resumes, but it can depend on how much experience you have.

As technology changes, the role of IT professionals within businesses continues to evolve. Keeping your resume updated can help you connect better with the right people when applying for open positions.

Related: Highest Paying Tech Jobs

What Should Be Included On An IT Resume?

One of the goals of an IT resume is to showcase your education and work experiences relevant to the tech job you're applying for. To capture a recruit's attention, it should include the following resume sections.

Header

The resume header is where you include your name and other contact information. You want to make it easy for recruiters to get in touch with you. Including your name and information at the top of your resume is one way to do that. Your header should include your name, location, email, and phone number.

Summary 

Another way to get the attention of hiring managers and recruiters is to include a short resume summary towards the top of your resume. There's no need to go into great detail here. A quick three or four-sentence summary highlighting some of your career and education experiences will give the company an idea of who you are.

Work Experience

List your work experience starting with your most recent experiences and working backward.

Only include relevant experiences that will reinforce your expertise in the IT field. Include any jobs, internships, and other experiences that help your cause. If you don't have much experience, include other work experiences that highlight transferable skills useful in an IT job.

With each position, list several bullet points detailing primary duties and work achievements.

Education

The education section of your resume is specifically designed to highlight formal education experiences. Start with the highest college degree earned and work backward. List the college or university name, location (city, state), the years attended, and the degree earned. You can also include your major related to the IT field.

For current students, list the same education information but include your anticipated graduation date instead. If this section is lacking, you can list internships or other educational experiences here instead of in the work experience section.

If you received academic achievements in school, you could include those as well. Also, list any relevant clubs, organizations, or associations that could help your cause.

Skills

Including a skills section on your resume isn't always necessary but could be helpful depending on your skillset and the job opening. If you include a skills section, try to include both hard and soft skills. This section doesn't need to be extensive. Keep it to the ten most relevant skills for the job opening.

Certifications 

List any IT certifications relevant to the open position in a separate certifications section. When listing certifications, include the certification title, the issuing organization, the certification date, and the expiration date (if it has one).

For more information, check out our guide on how to include certifications on your resume.

What Should Be Left Off An IT Resume?

There's no need to include everything on your resume. Limit your resume to information related to the IT career field and relevant to the position. If your resume is lacking , you can include other transferable skills and experiences, but try to limit this whenever possible.

Including a photo used to be popular when submitting a resume, but it's no longer necessary or recommended. In terms of contact information, you can include your address if you want, but your location (city, state) is good enough for your resume. Prospective employers won't need your address until the onboarding process if you're hired.

Important Job Skills For IT Resumes

An IT resume should include a skills section that dives into hard skills directly related to the IT field. It should also include soft skills or transferable skills that benefit the employer.  and would be useful in the open position. The specific skills listed could depend on the job you are applying for within the company.

Here are some of the skills you might include on an IT resume.

Hard Skills 

• Adobe Creative Suite
• Back-End Development
• Backup management
• Cloud Management
• Computer Hardware Knowledge
• Computer Software Knowledge
• Data Privacy
• Data Synchronization
• Database Administration
• Debugging
• Front-End Development
• Internet Applications
• Internet Security
• Java
• LAN technology
• LINUX
• Microsoft Office
• Network Architecture
• Network Management
• Operating Systems
• Oracle
• Programming Languages
• Project Management
• Protocols
• Quality Control
• Server Maintenance
• Software Installation
• SQL
• Technical Support
• Technical Writing
• Troubleshooting
• UI/UX

Soft Skills

• Adaptability
• Analytical Skills
• Attention to Detail
• Communication
• Communication
• Creativity
• Critical Thinking
• Customer ervice
• Decision Making
• Dependability
• Interpersonal
• Leadership
• Management
• Multitasking
• Organization
• Patience
• Problem Solving
• Teamwork
• Time Management

Once your resume is finished, you can start applying for jobs! Take a look at the best job posting sites to explore where employers are listing openings.

Where To Get Help With Your Resume

Now that you know everything that should be on an IT resume, you may be ready to get started! However, if you still have questions and need extra help, we would recommend working with a resume writing service. Here are some resources:

• Best Resume Writing Services
• Best Executive Resume Writing Services
• Best Federal Resume Writing Services

Frequently Asked Questions 

What skills do you need for IT jobs?

The skills needed for a career in the IT field depend on the position and your specific area of expertise. Skills needed might include hard skills like computer software and hardware knowledge, UX, SQL, operating systems, cloud management, and more. Soft skills include leadership, teamwork, patience, organization, and multitasking.

Which IT skill is most in demand?

Top IT skills currently in demand include cloud management, networking, programming languages, LINUX, UX, quality assurance, cybersecurity, penatration testing, and more.

How can I improve my IT skills?

To improve your IT skills, determine which skills you want to learn or improve and find online and in-person opportunities to learn those skills. This can include an online class, bootcamp, or course. If you want to become certified in a particular skill, look for schools and programs that offer certification.

What IT skills are employers looking for?

Small business owners and corporations look for a variety of IT skills to fill roles within their companies. The specific skills they seek out depend on the company's needs. Some of the IT skills currently in demand include cloud management, networking, technical writing, project management, programming languages, LINUX, cybersecurity, penatration testing, and UX.

The Bottom Line

The first step in landing your next IT job is creating an IT resume that delivers. Create an IT resume that will catch the attention of recruiters and hiring managers. Gather the necessary information and get started on your resume today.

If you're not sure where to start, a resume writing service can help organize your information into a concise yet enticing IT resume that will end up in the right hands. Then, use an online job search site like ZipRecruiter to find and apply for desired jobs within the IT career field.