IT CV examples

Writing a CV can be hard: an IT CV is your chance to showcase your technical expertise, adaptability, and ability to solve problems before anyone even realises they exist.

This step-by-step guide will show you how to write a good CV that captures your skills and certifications, helping you stand out in the ever-evolving world of IT.

Your CV structure needs to be as well-organised as the systems you manage. A clear and logical structure ensures recruiters can quickly understand your skills and experience without needing to debug your layout.

Here’s how to structure your IT CV:

• Name and personal info  – Place these contact details right at the top for easy access. Adding a picture of yourself is entirely optional but rarely necessary.
• Profile – Kick off with a concise summary of your technical expertise and career highlights.
• Core skills – Then, quickly note your key IT abilities, from network administration to troubleshooting. This is a small but vital section in your CV.
• Work experience – Showcase your professional history in reverse chronological order, detailing your key contributions.
• Education – Share your academic qualifications and relevant certifications.
• Additional info – You’ve also got the option to outline any hobbies and interests that reflect problem-solving or a passion for technology, as well as relevant awards.

Your CV format should be as sleek and functional as the systems you maintain. Keep it clean, easy to read, and professional to ensure recruiters can focus on your expertise. Even the most qualified of candidates will miss out of formatting mistakes hold them back

Here’s how to format your IT CV effectively:

• Bullet points – Use concise lines to break down responsibilities and achievements.
• Divide sections – Organise your CV with clear headings and consistent formatting.
• Use a clean font – Choose a professional font that’s easy to read and accessible across devices.
• Keep it the right length – 2 pages are ideal. This length gives you room to showcase your skills without boring the busy reader.

Your CV profile is your elevator pitch – except instead of a quick chat in a lift, you’re convincing the recruiter you’re the go-to person for fixing printers and protecting networks from the latest ransomware. It should immediately show recruiters why you’re the best fit for the role.

Here are some tips on what to put in your IT CV profile:

• Where you’ve worked – Make sure to note the industries or companies you’ve supported with IT services.
• Your top qualifications – Highlight relevant certifications like CompTIA, CCNA, or ITIL.
• Technical expertise – Ensure you clearly state which tools, systems, and platforms you’ve made good use of in the past.
• Programming languages you know – Coding skills would likely come in handy in an IT role, so state which languages you’ve mastered.
• Projects you’ve delivered – Quickly mention significant upgrades, migrations, or rollouts you’ve managed.
• Stakeholders you’ve supported – Mention departments or teams you’ve worked with to solve IT issues.

Your CV skills section is the command centre of your CV – it should immediately show a recruiter that you have the technical expertise to handle complex IT environments. Tailor this section to the job by emphasising the tools, platforms, or practices most relevant to the role.

Your work experience section is where you prove your ability to solve problems and keep systems running smoothly. Focus on the impact of your contributions and how they’ve benefited the organisations you’ve supported.

Even if your experience is more helpdesk tickets than enterprise-level migrations, every role proves you’ve got the skills to keep systems running and users happy (or at least less confused). 

List them in reverse chronological order, with more detail for the more pertinent ones.

• Outline – Provide a brief description of the company, your role, and the scope of your IT responsibilities.
• Responsibilities – Highlight key tasks, such as network troubleshooting, system upgrades, or user training.
• Achievements – Include measurable outcomes, like reducing downtime or increasing system performance. Throw in some figures whenever you’re able.

The education section is critical for showcasing your foundational knowledge and technical expertise.

Include degrees in IT, computer science, or related fields, as well as certifications that demonstrate your skills. For those newer to the field, focus on coursework or personal projects that show your potential.

Always list qualifications in reverse chronological order, starting with the most recent.