Cisco network engineer CV example

How to write a CV for a Cisco network engineer

Many people get goosebumps when thinking about CV writing, but it doesn’t have to be scary – with the right guidance, it can even be enjoyable!

Our general advice is to use simple language and short sentences, so recruiters don’t have to search for information or decipher what you mean. On top of that, use the job listing or person specification to guide which skills and experience you should include.

For more on how to write a CV, take a look at the sections below, which cover:

• Adding contact details to your Cisco network engineer CV
• Start your Cisco network engineer CV with a personal statement
• Tackling work experience on a CV for a Cisco network engineer
• Skills worth having on your Cisco network engineer CV
• Outlining education on a Cisco network engineer CV

Adding contact details to your Cisco network engineer CV

It’s all too easy to forget about the simple things, but they often have the most significant impact. For instance, you’d be shocked at how many candidates fail to add their current contact details at the top of their CV. While it might seem like a tiny oversight, it prevents hiring managers from inviting them to the interview stage.

Don’t make your life – or the employer’s – harder than it needs to be. Remember to include the following details:

• Full name
• Location
• Phone number
• Work-appropriate email address

Example of contact section for Cisco network engineer CV

Start your Cisco network engineer CV with a personal statement

First impressions matter, especially when job hunting. You only have a few seconds to catch the reader’s attention, so you must think carefully about every word. How do you shine in a sea of equally experienced candidates? Create a persuasive personal statement that summarises your proudest accomplishments and top talents!

Luckily, the personal statement is formulaic – as such, it’s each to put together. The first sentence introduces who you are, including years of experience. The second sentence underscores what you can achieve, backed by real-world results. Finally, the third and fourth sentences briefly explain your unique skills and specialisms.

What do we mean by real-world results? This is often a showstopping statistic that convinces the employer of your credentials. For example, you might have “resolved long-term technical issues with Cisco hardware, leading to an 89% increase in productivity levels”.

Need more help? Here are some extra tips to tempt the recruiter:

• Write in the third person to sound more professional
• Use positive adjectives such as “dedicated” and “diligent”
• Keep all information relevant to the job advertisement
• Lead with confidence – remove “ifs”, “buts”, and “maybes”
• Double-check for spelling mistakes

Example of personal statement for Cisco network engineer CV

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Tackling work experience on a CV for a Cisco network engineer

The employment history section is fascinating, revealing your strengths and weaknesses, how long you typically stay with a company, and whether you’ve received any promotions or awards. Recruiters often spend the most time here, so it pays to put your talents and achievements on centre stage.

Starting from your current or most recent position, outline:

• Job title
• Employment start and end dates
• Company name and location
• Brief list of responsibilities
• Noteworthy achievements
• Mention that references will be supplied upon request

Like the personal statement, wow the hiring manager with plenty of facts and figures. You might have “upgraded Cisco hardware to increase the system’s responsiveness by 90%” or “trained over 300 employees on how to use Cisco products”. The more detailed you can be, the better – vagueness won’t fill the reader with confidence!

Next, make your Cisco network engineer CV exciting by leading with powerful action verbs – they’re far more convincing than “responsible for”. Some of our favourites include “developed”, “formulated”, and “launched. As for positive adjectives, keep them unique. Instead of “friendly”, you might be “diplomatic”, “supportive”, or “compassionate”.

Lastly, avoid repetition – if you’ve mentioned “troubleshooting” underneath one role, talk about “training” in another. It’s a good idea to outline as many duties as possible to show the recruiter the extent of your capabilities.

Example of work experience for a Cisco network engineer CV

Skills worth having on your Cisco network engineer CV

The CV skills section is crucial because it proves you have the knowledge to hit the ground running. Plus, it reveals a little more of your personality – how else will the hiring manager decide if you’d be a good fit for the company?

Combine job-specific hard skills such as “completing network performance checks” and “creating Cisco networks” with transferable soft skills like “rapport building” and “detail-oriented”. Hard skills are acquired on the job or through formal education, while soft skills are inherent – it’s much trickier to learn how to be “highly organised”. We recommend adding 12 talents in total, split between the two.

Most candidates make the mistake of only including technical abilities. While tempting, remember you also must convince the employer that you’ll effortlessly blend in with the existing team. It doesn’t matter how practical you are if you don’t get on with your coworkers! Need some more ideas? Use the following lists to spark your creativity:

Outlining education on a Cisco network engineer CV

The most successful Cisco network engineers have underpinned their work experience with extracurricular training and education. Not only do formal qualifications show a passion for the field, but they confirm you have the basic knowledge and tools to handle – and hopefully excel in –the position.

What does it take to cinch the top spot? Most employers prefer applicants with a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Network Administration, or IT. Additionally, you’ll need a CCIE or CCE certification from Cisco.

When outlining your education, include:

• Name of school, college, university, or other awarding body
• Study start and end dates
• Course title
• Qualification level – e.g. Bachelor’s degree or A level
• Qualification result

As education is so significant, you might like to place your core qualifications underneath the personal statement – this will quickly reassure recruiters that you have the right credentials for the role. Furthermore, you can talk about any professional affiliations here.

Example of education for a Cisco network engineer CV