Cisco Network Engineer Resume Guide

Cisco Network Engineers design, implement, and maintain computer networks for organizations. They configure routers, switches and other network devices to ensure efficient data transmission between computers within a local or wide area network (WAN). Additionally they troubleshoot any issues that arise with the hardware or software of the system in order to keep it running smoothly.

Your expertise in Cisco network engineering is unparalleled, and employers need to know it. To make sure they understand the full extent of your skillset, you must write a resume that accurately reflects your talents.

This guide will walk you through the entire process of creating a top-notch resume. We first show you a complete example and then break down what each resume section should look like.

The guide is divided into sections for your convenience. You can read it from beginning to end or use the table of contents below to jump to a specific part.

Full Resume Example Summary Experience Skills Education Certifications Contact Info Cover Letter Templates

Cisco Network Engineer Resume Sample

Lesley Powlowski
Cisco Network Engineer

[email protected]
098-283-0447
linkedin.com/in/lesley-powlowski

Summary

Passionate Cisco network engineer with 6+ years of experience in planning, designing and implementing enterprise-level networks. At XYZ Corporation, designed a secure networking system for their data center that was implemented on time and within budget. Led the implementation team to ensure efficient deployment of Cisco technologies such as routing protocols (OSPF, EIGRP), switching (STP), wireless access points (WAPs) etc. Experienced in troubleshooting complex network issues using Wireshark/Tcpdump & other tools.

Experience

Cisco Network Engineer, Employer A
Hollywood, Jan 2018 – Present

Programmed and maintained Cisco network routers, switches and firewalls for 500+ users; upgraded system performance by 20% while reducing security risks.
Prepared and implemented comprehensive disaster recovery plans to provide full data redundancy in the event of an emergency; decreased downtime from 8 hours to 3 hours per incident.
Diligently monitored daily backups and ensured that all hardware components were functioning properly, resulting in a 98% uptime rate over 6 months with no major outages or malfunctions.
Represented company at industry conferences and technical training seminars on best practices for Cisco router configuration & maintenance; received positive feedback from attendees on informative presentations delivered each time (94%).
Reorganized existing LAN/WAN architecture according to business requirements, consolidating redundant systems into one central location which saved $7,500 annually in server costs alone.

Cisco Network Engineer, Employer B
Amarillo, Mar 2012 – Dec 2017

Mentored junior engineers in Cisco network engineering, leading to a 25% improvement in team productivity.
Streamlined the installation of multiple servers and routers on two separate networks, reducing setup time by 20 hours overall.
Designed complex LAN/WAN architectures for 10+ clients according to their needs; achieved 94% customer satisfaction rate with timely delivery of services & projects within budget constraints.
Installed and configured various security protocols such as IPSEC VPNs, Firewalls and SSL certificates across multiple sites; improved system safety measures by 75%.
Accurately monitored network performance using advanced monitoring tools such as Wireshark & SolarWinds NPM; identified potential issues before they caused any disruption or downtime (0 outages).

Skills

Routing Protocols (OSPF, BGP, EIGRP)
Network Troubleshooting
Firewalls (Cisco ASA, Palo Alto)
Network Security
Network Design
Wireless Networking
Network Monitoring
VPNs
Network Automation

Education

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
Educational Institution XYZ
Nov 2011

Certifications

Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)
Cisco Systems
May 2017

Related Resume Examples

All Examples

1. Summary / Objective

The summary/objective at the top of your resume is like a trailer – it provides the hiring manager with essential bits of information and, if written correctly, should compel them to read on. This is where you can showcase your best qualities; for example, you could mention how many years’ experience in Cisco networking you have, any certifications or qualifications that demonstrate your expertise in this field, and the success stories from past projects that highlight your problem-solving skills.

Below are some resume summary examples:

Committed Cisco network engineer with 5+ years of experience delivering quality solutions that ensure efficient and secure data transfers. Proven record in designing, configuring, and troubleshooting large-scale networks for a variety of industries. Skilled at managing time-sensitive projects to completion on schedule without compromising the quality of work. Seeking to join ABC Tech as their next Cisco Network Engineer where I can utilize my expertise to optimize IT infrastructure performance.

Accomplished Cisco Network Engineer with 8+ years of experience designing, implementing and troubleshooting LAN/WAN networks. Skilled in configuring Cisco routers, switches, firewalls and load balancers. Proven track record of installing hardware components to maximize network performance while minimizing downtime. Seeking a position as a Network Engineer at ABC Corporation to leverage my knowledge of networking protocols and technologies for the benefit of the company.

Well-rounded Cisco Network Engineer with 8+ years of experience in the IT industry. Skilled in configuring and troubleshooting routers, switches, and Cisco ASA Firewalls to maintain optimal network performance levels for clients. At XYZ Inc., successfully designed a WAN architecture that improved customer satisfaction by 40%. Looking to join ABC Solutions as a Senior Network Engineer where I can utilize my skillset to help build world-class networks.

Diligent Network Engineer with 8+ years of experience in designing, implementing and troubleshooting complex Cisco networks. Adept at creating detailed network diagrams that accurately reflect the current state of a system for easy maintenance. At XYZ Corporation, identified an issue leading to significant latency reduction by 25%. Eager to join ABC Tech as a Network Engineer and help build secure and reliable IT infrastructure solutions.

Proficient Cisco Network Engineer with 8+ years of experience in designing, configuring and maintaining Cisco networks. Skilled at troubleshooting complex problems as well as developing creative solutions to network issues. At XYZ Corp., successfully implemented a new highly secure network architecture that led to an increase in productivity by 15%. Experienced with various networking technologies such as VoIP, MPLS, BGP and IPsec VPNs.

Talented Cisco Network Engineer with 8+ years of experience in designing, deploying and troubleshooting complex network infrastructures. Proven track record of providing reliable solutions to ensure the availability and performance of mission-critical applications across multiple platforms. Seeking a position at ABC Company where I can utilize my expertise in configuring advanced Cisco routers, switches, firewalls and wireless systems.

Determined Cisco Network Engineer with 5+ years of experience in designing, implementing and troubleshooting Cisco networks. Expertise in switching protocols (VLANs, STP, HSRP), routing protocols (BGP, EIGRP) and network security (firewalls). At XYZ Corporation I designed a high-availability network for their new data center resulting in improved uptime by 30%. Certified CCNA & CCNP.

Driven Cisco Network Engineer with 5+ years of experience in designing and deploying reliable, secure networks for medium-sized businesses. Specializes in Cisco routers, switches & firewalls. At XYZ, delivered a high availability network solution that improved uptime by 30%. Received commendations from the IT department for quickly resolving complex networking issues.

2. Experience / Employment

Next comes the work history section, which should be written in reverse chronological order. This means your most recent job is listed at the top.

Stick to bullet points when describing what you did and achieved; this makes it easier for the reader to digest what you have to say quickly. You want to take some time to think about the details of what you did, as well as any quantifiable results obtained from your work.

For example, instead of saying “Configured Cisco routers,” you could say, “Successfully configured over 100 Cisco routers with a variety of protocols including EIGRP and OSPF for improved network performance.”

To write effective bullet points, begin with a strong verb or adverb. Industry specific verbs to use are:

Configured
Monitored
Troubleshot
Implemented
Optimized
Resolved
Analyzed
Installed
Upgraded
Tested
Documented
Managed
Programmed
Designed
Administered

Other general verbs you can use are:

Achieved
Advised
Assessed
Compiled
Coordinated
Demonstrated
Developed
Expedited
Facilitated
Formulated
Improved
Introduced
Mentored
Participated
Prepared
Presented
Reduced
Reorganized
Represented
Revised
Spearheaded
Streamlined
Structured
Utilized

Below are some example bullet points:

Participated in the design, implementation and maintenance of enterprise-scale Cisco networks for 10+ clients across 3 countries; streamlined network performance by 15% due to optimization efforts.
Formulated detailed plans for deployment of new technologies such as VoIP systems and WAN/LAN infrastructures while ensuring adherence to industry standards & customer requirements.
Actively monitored 25+ switches, routers, firewalls and other hardware components using advanced tools like PRTG Network Monitor & SolarWinds Orion NPM; identified potential issues quickly before they became critical problems or caused outages.
Introduced cost-effective solutions that allowed customers to leverage existing infrastructure without requiring additional equipment or resources; saved them an average of $2500 per project in operational expenses over a 6 month period.
Improved reliability & uptime of core network services (such as DNS/DHCP) through systematic troubleshooting processes based on best practices from CCNA Routing & Switching certification coursework materials.

Configured and maintained Cisco routers, switches and firewalls across 30 customer networks while ensuring secure data transmissions; reduced downtime by 15%.
Presented comprehensive network designs to senior management, facilitating the approval of two projects with a total budget of $1 million dollars.
Facilitated seamless communication between multiple sites in different states over a WAN connection; improved system performance by 20%.
Substantially increased LAN speed for 50+ users within an enterprise-level environment through implementing advanced routing protocols such as EIGRP & OSPFv3.
Spearheaded the design and implementation of various VoIP solutions within customer infrastructures that resulted in cost savings up to 40%.

Troubleshot and resolved over 500 Cisco network issues within tight deadlines, reducing technical support tickets by 25%.
Successfully implemented 200+ server upgrades and updates across multiple sites to facilitate the expansion of company infrastructure.
Expedited a complex router configuration project in 4 days, saving the organization $30,000 worth of labor costs.
Utilized knowledge of TCP/IP protocols to diagnose & repair wide-area networks consisting of 10 remote offices & more than 600 users worldwide; improved system performance by 20% overall and 32% for critical applications.
Revised existing firewall policies on 2 separate occasions according to industry best practices and regulations; increased security posture score from 72% to 95%.

Analyzed and troubleshot complex Cisco network infrastructure while monitoring performance and security, resulting in a 5% increase in system availability.
Reduced downtime by 35%, after successfully identifying and resolving all technical issues related to routers, switches, firewalls and wireless access points.
Administered over 200 end-user devices connected within the corporate LAN/WAN networks; efficiently managed user profiles across multiple platforms including Windows 7/8/10, Linux & macOS systems plus various mobile OSs (iOS & Android).
Optimized data flow throughput for 10+ local area networks utilizing Layer 2/Layer 3 protocols such as TCP/IP and EIGRP; improved overall network performance by 25%.
Meticulously documented all IT assets with detailed inventories of hardware components installed onsite or remotely monitored from the Network Operations Center (NOC).

Resolved complex network issues by troubleshooting, diagnosing and configuring Cisco hardware systems for over 500 clients; decreased downtime incidents by 25% in the past year.
Effectively designed and managed WAN/LAN networks according to customer requirements, ensuring high-performance connectivity across multiple locations without any disruption or lag time.
Structured complex network architectures using Catalyst switches & routers with various protocols (IPv4/IPv6) to achieve maximum speed & security; improved data transfer rate by 20%.
Monitored system performance on a daily basis while modifying configurations as needed based on usage patterns and identified vulnerabilities; reduced potential security threats by 75%.
Achieved complete customer satisfaction through excellent technical support services that kept their networks running smoothly at all times resulting in higher repeat business rates of 80%.

Advised 70+ end users on the installation, configuration and maintenance of Cisco routers, switches and firewalls; reduced network downtime by 30%.
Documented a comprehensive set of IT policies to ensure that all new & existing systems met company security standards; improved overall compliance rate from 65% to 98%.
Resourcefully developed automated software tools for monitoring system performance, diagnosing problems in real-time and generating reports with minimal manual input.
Coordinated large-scale networks involving more than 200 devices across multiple sites; saved over $15K in operational costs through increased efficiency & scalability measures taken.
Developed custom scripts using Python programming language to automate routine tasks such as patch management & inventory tracking thereby reducing human error by 35%.

Assessed customer requirements, designed and configured complex Cisco network systems to meet customer specifications while ensuring optimal performance; decreased installation time by 25% on average.
Demonstrated expertise in deploying routing protocols such as EIGRP, OSPF and BGP for WAN networks composed of routers, switches and firewalls; increased bandwidth efficiency by 15%.
Compiled comprehensive technical documentation detailing the configuration parameters used for each setup in order to facilitate future troubleshooting procedures or upgrades.
Tested all deployed solutions against relevant industry standards (IEEE 802x), successfully resolving any issues within 3 hours of detection; improved network uptime from 98% to 99%.
Independently managed the complete lifecycle of multiple projects ranging from initial planning stages through implementation up until final user acceptance testing with minimal supervision; completed 4+ major corporate deployments ahead of schedule in 2020 alone.

Competently managed and maintained a network of 150+ Cisco routers, switches and access points; improved overall system performance by 40%.
Implemented advanced routing protocols such as BGP, OSPF & EIGRP to mitigate latency issues in the LAN/WAN and reduce packet loss rates by 24%.
Upgraded existing firewalls with next-generation security protocols to ensure robust data protection while streamlining troubleshooting processes; reduced firewall downtime from 2 hours to 15 minutes per incident.
Developed comprehensive maintenance plans for all components within the local area networks, eliminating errors due to manual configuration changes that saved up $5,000 annually on labor costs related to reconfiguration of equipment.

3. Skills

Two organizations that have advertised for a position with the same title may be searching for individuals whose skills are quite different. For instance, one may be looking for someone who is proficient in Cisco routing and switching, while the other may require expertise with Juniper networks.

Therefore, you should always tailor your skills section to each job that you are applying for – this will ensure that applicant tracking systems pick up on all of the relevant keywords. It is also important to elaborate on these skills further in other resume sections such as the summary or experience section.

Some key skill areas a cisco network engineer might include are: configuring routers and switches; setting up LANs/WANs; troubleshooting network issues; creating security policies; monitoring performance metrics; installing hardware components etc.

Below is a list of common skills & terms:

Firewalls (Cisco ASA, Palo Alto)
Network Automation
Network Design
Network Monitoring
Network Security
Network Troubleshooting
Network Virtualization (VXLAN, SD-WAN)
Routing Protocols (OSPF, BGP, EIGRP)
VPNs
Wireless Networking

4. Education

Adding an education section to your resume as a Cisco network engineer will depend on how far along you are in your career. If you just graduated and have no prior experience, mention your education below the resume objective. However, if you already have some work experience to showcase, it might not be necessary to include an education section at all.

If including an education section is appropriate for this role, try mentioning relevant courses and subjects that relate to the job description of a Cisco network engineer.

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
Educational Institution XYZ
Nov 2011

5. Certifications

Certifications demonstrate to employers that you have the necessary skills and knowledge for a given role. It is important to include any certifications relevant to the job you are applying for in your resume, as it will show potential employers that you are qualified and knowledgeable about the industry.

Having certifications can also demonstrate commitment and dedication towards professional development, which could give hiring managers an extra incentive when considering your application.

Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)
Cisco Systems
May 2017

6. Contact Info

Your name should be the first thing a reader sees when viewing your resume, so ensure its positioning is prominent. Your phone number should be written in the most commonly used format in your country/city/state, and your email address should be professional.

You can also choose to include a link to your LinkedIn profile, personal website, or other online platforms relevant to your industry.

Finally, name your resume file appropriately to help hiring managers; for Lesley Powlowski, this would be Lesley-Powlowski-resume.pdf or Lesley-Powlowski-resume.docx.

7. Cover Letter

Attaching a cover letter to your resume is a great way to make an impression on potential employers. It gives you the opportunity to explain why you’re interested in the role and how your experience and skills will be beneficial for them.

Cover letters should usually have 2-4 paragraphs that are separate from what’s mentioned in a resume. They are designed to provide more detail, highlight key points about yourself and demonstrate why you would be an ideal candidate for the job position.

Below is an example cover letter:

Dear Sylvan,

I am writing to apply for the Cisco Network Engineer position at [company name]. With my experience in designing, implementing, and troubleshooting large-scale enterprise networks, I am confident I would make a valuable addition to your team.

In my current role as Lead Network Engineer at [company name], I oversee the design and implementation of network solutions for our global client base. My projects have ranged from small office LANs to multi-site WANs connecting thousands of users. In all cases, I have strived to provide reliable and efficient solutions that meet or exceed customer expectations.

One of my recent projects was particularly challenging due to its size and complexity. The project involved deploying a MPLS network connecting 30 sites across 15 countries. To successfully complete the project on time and within budget, I led a team of engineers in identifying potential risks and developing mitigation strategies. Thanks to our efforts, the project was successfully completed with minimal disruptions.

I believe my skills and experience would be an asset to your organization. If given the opportunity, I will work hard to contribute to the success of your team. Thank you for your time and consideration; I look forward to speaking with you soon about this opportunity.

Sincerely,

Lesley