How to Write a Strong CCNA Resume in 8 Steps (With Template)

By Indeed Editorial Team

Published 20 June 2022

The Indeed Editorial Team comprises a diverse and talented team of writers, researchers and subject matter experts equipped with Indeed's data and insights to deliver useful tips to help guide your career journey.

The Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) certification endorses an IT technician's competence to work with medium-sized switched and routed computer networks. Listing a CCNA certification on your resume can confirm your networking expertise to an employer. Learning what to include on your resume and how to organise and display the information may help you make a positive first impression on a hiring manager. In this article, we discuss what a CCNA is, provide steps for writing a CCNA resume and include a template and example to guide you.

What is a CCNA?

A CCNA is a second-level IT certification for professional technicians who specialise in computer networks. The certification covers the ability to install, set up, configure, troubleshoot and operate a PC network. It also covers creating and authenticating connections to a wide area network (WAN). CCNA certifications are valid for three years, after which recertification is possible through retaking the exam or achieving a higher certification. The CCNA course content covers topics such as:

networking fundamentals
network access
IP connectivity
IP services
security fundamentals
automation and programmability

As a CCNA certified IT professional, you may opt to specialise in one of seven technology paths. Including your speciality on your resume can increase your chances of selection for an interview in your specific field. The seven technology paths are:

routing and switching
network design
network security
service provider
storage networking
voice
wireless

How to write a CCNA resume

Consider the following steps to help you compose and format an effective CCNA resume that highlights your suitability as a candidate:

1. Analyse the job listing

Job listings typically list the technical skills and experiences employers require from candidates and the job responsibilities associated with the position. Evaluating the job listing before writing your resume can offer valuable insights into an employer's expectations. Take note of the keywords the job listing contains and incorporate them on your resume. Crafting your resume to suit each CCNA position you apply for offers you the opportunity to highlight the specific skills that the employer is looking for.

2. Choose the ideal resume format

There are three commonly used resume formats to choose from to suit your networking experience, skills and qualifications:

Chronological: A chronological resume highlights work experience, usually listed in reverse-chronological order with your most recent or current position listed first.
Functional: A functional resume focuses on skills and is ideal if you don't yet have relevant professional experience.
Combination: A combination resume highlights both skills and experience, which is highly suitable for a CCNA candidate, as you can elaborate on your technical skills, certification and work history.

3. Include contact information

Include your name and surname at the top of your resume in a larger, bold font to make it easily recognisable. Below your name, insert your contact number and email address to ensure that an employer can contact you about the position. You may want to add your city and state, but not your full street address. Adding your contact information at the top of your resume separates it from the technical information that follows and makes it easy to find.

4. Write a resume summary

A resume summary is a two to three sentence summary that highlights your key skills, notable experiences or achievements as a CCNA professional and how your expertise may benefit the organisation. Your CCNA credentials can feature in your summary, alongside keywords from the job listing that align with your top attributes. A compelling resume summary encourages the hiring manager to continue reading the rest of your resume.

5. Include a list of relevant skills

An IT department typically looks for soft and hard skills in a network professional. Use the job listing requirements to help you decide which skills to highlight, as this helps align your capabilities with what the employer is looking for. With a highly technical position such as this, the employer may test you to check your abilities, so make sure your resume contains accurate information about your capabilities. Hard or technical skills that are typically associated with a CCNA certified network professional can include:

network security
routing and switching protocols
virtual networking
LAN/WAN technology
network design
familiarity with service providers

Soft skills refer to personal traits in a professional context. Some of the soft skills that an employer may look for in a candidate for a networking position include:

verbal and written communication
active listening
problem solving
teamwork
time management

6. Add your IT and CCNA experience

To add to your professional experience, list your previous jobs in reverse-chronological order, with the most recent position at the top. For each role, include the job title, company or organisation, city and state and employment dates. Below that, describe your key duties or significant responsibilities in three to five bullet points. Aim to highlight responsibilities from each position that relate to the job you're applying for and show your suitability as a candidate.

7. Detail your educational background and certifications

List the degrees you've earned and the institutions you earned them from, with the most recent at the top. List certifications or other technical training in this section of your resume. Include the date of issue for each certification as some certifications expire after a certain amount of time. The CCNA certification is valid for three years from the date of issue.

8. Proofread your resume

Reviewing your application before submitting can ensure you find any spelling or grammar errors. Submitting an error-free resume helps highlight your attention to detail and excellent communication skills, which are both essential qualities for CCNA professionals. Other ways to check for errors include:

reading your resume out loud to check the flow and readability
ask a friend or IT colleague to read your resume and offer feedback
use online grammar and spelling checkers to highlight mistakes you may have missed

What jobs can you apply for with a CCNA certified resume?

With a CCNA certification on your resume, you can apply for positions such as:

entry-level network engineer
help desk technician
network administrator
network support technician

Resume template for a CCNA

You can use this resume template as a guide to help you create your own:

[First and last name], [Degree or certification]

[Contact number] | [Email address] | [City], [State]

Professional Summary

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

Experience

[Job title] | [Employment dates]

[Company name] | [City], [State]

[Strong verb] + duties performed (more detail) + reason, outcome or quantified results
[Job duty]
[Job duty]
[Job duty]
[Job duty]

[Job title] | [Employment dates]

[Company name] | [City], [State]

[Strong verb] + duties performed (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]

Resume example for a CCNA position

This is an example of a resume for a CCNA position you can use for ideas when you write yours:

Nicholae Jamison, Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)

(057) 893 8457 | njamison@email.com | Cranbourne, Victoria

Professional Summary

Systematic and organised Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) with two years of experience in network administration. Efficient at setting up and managing LAN/WAN networking infrastructure and troubleshooting network issues. Proven record of working effectively in fast-paced, deadline-oriented environments.

Experience

Systems administrator | 2020–Current

Office & More Corporation | Perth, Western Australia

manage network environments and operations for 2,000+ on-site and remote users
collaborate with the IT team to design, build and establish the IT architecture
improve network to align with industry standards and enable 98% uptime
install security patches for servers and networked devices
solve technical problems and conduct frequent risk analyses

Network administrator| 2018–2019

Broken Candy Shop | Perth | Western Australia

oversaw 200+ workstations and servers
performed regular security checks on servers and workstations
resolved connectivity, firewall and file-sharing related issues