Resume Keywords for Systems Administrator

Sysadmin resumes are screened for OS expertise, infrastructure tools, and uptime/security outcomes. List the environments you ran and the reliability you maintained.

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Hard skills & ATS keywords

Linux/Windows administration · Networking · Virtualization · Backup & disaster recovery · Scripting & automation · Active Directory · Patch management · Security hardening

Tools & software

Linux · Windows Server · VMware · PowerShell · Bash · Ansible · Active Directory · Nagios · Azure/AWS · Group Policy

Soft skills

Troubleshooting · Reliability · Communication · Prioritization

Certifications

CompTIA Server+ · Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA) · Microsoft Certified: Windows Server

Example tailored bullet

✓ Automated patching across 400 servers with Ansible, achieving 99.98% uptime and closing 95% of vulnerabilities within SLA.

How to use these keywords

Spell out the OS and tools the posting names (e.g. "RHCSA", "VMware", "Active Directory") — infrastructure roles filter on specific platforms and certs. Don’t paste the whole list — choose the keywords you genuinely match, weave them into accomplishments with real numbers, and mirror the exact phrasing of the specific posting. Align Resume reads the job description and aligns your resume to it automatically, so the right keywords appear truthfully and you get a match score before you apply.

Frequently asked questions

What are the top resume keywords for a Systems Administrator?
High-value keywords include Linux/Windows administration, Networking, Virtualization, Backup & disaster recovery, Linux, Windows Server, VMware. Use the ones you genuinely have, matching the exact wording in the job posting.

How do I get my Systems Administrator resume past the ATS?
Use a clean single-column layout, mirror the posting’s exact skill and tool names where you qualify, and quantify your results. Spell out the OS and tools the posting names (e.g. "RHCSA", "VMware", "Active Directory") — infrastructure roles filter on specific platforms and certs.

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