IT Managers have expertise in managing technology, processes and teams. Similarly, a great IT Manager resume is organized, well-structured, and outlined with evidence of leadership skills. In this guide, we'll review 10 impressive IT Manager resumes to help you position yourself for success in 2023.
You can use the examples above as a starting point to help you brainstorm tasks, accomplishments for your work experience section.
Focus on technology expertise:
As an IT Manager, the bulk of your resume should showcase the technology-specific skills and expertise you can bring to the position. Be sure to call out your experience with hardware and software, as well as programming and networking.
Highlight project successes:
Explain the complete range of IT projects you’ve managed, and emphasize the most successful or impactful initiatives your team achieved. For each project, include key metrics that demonstrate the reach and effect of your success.
Demonstrate problem-solving capabilities:
IT Managers must be able to identify problems, diagnose solutions, and execute on strategies that guarantee results. Emphasize how you’ve demonstrated those capabilities in past projects and how you can leverage those skills for the job you’re applying for.
Showcase planning and organizational skills:
IT Managers must have strong organizational and planning abilities to ensure technology systems and projects stay on track. Highlight your experience with time and budget management, negotiations with vendors, and overseeing team workflow.
Stay up to date on the industry:
Mention any relevant certifications and/or industry qualifications, such as certifications from IT vendors and other relevant tech organizations. Demonstrate that you stay on top of the latest developments in the IT world.
Here are the essential sections that should exist in a it manager resume:
Additionally, if you're eager to make an impression and gain an edge over other it manager candidates, you may want to consider adding in these sections:
Let's start with resume headlines.
IT Manager with 4+ Years of Experience in Data Infrastructure
Forward-thinking IT Manager Skilled in Process Improvement
Good headlines provide details as to the position, work experience, and specific skills held by the person applying. The first example highlights the person's specific job title of IT Manager and four years of experience in the field of data infrastructure. The second example emphasizes the IT Manager's ability to think ahead and ensure process improvement.
Accomplished Expert in IT
Experienced and Skilled IT Manager
On the other hand, bad headlines lack detail and showcase generic skills, such as the first example which simply states
Accomplished Expert in IT. The second example does provide the job title, but omits details regarding the IT Manager's experience and skillset.
Resume summaries are an important section for IT Managers to include on a resume because it's an opportunity to encapsulate the most important skills, experience, and accomplishments in their career, related to the individual role they are applying for. Resume summaries are one of the most read sections of a resume and are an effective way to make a case for yourself as a great fit for the position. For IT Managers, a resume summary is particularly important because it should emphasize the technical and managerial skills required for the role.
Here are some tips for how you can you leverage your summary most effectively:
Why these are strong:
Why these are weak:
Recent IT graduate seeking to leverage my knowledge of database programming and system administration to join a cutting-edge IT team and drive forward innovative and successful DevOps projects.
Aspiring IT Manager keen to use my enthusiasm and problem-solving skills to develop and maintain cost-effective IT systems in support of a team’s success.
Why these are strong:
Looking for an IT Manager job in order to freshen up my resume and build more years of experience.
Eager to improve the current IT structure and upgrade technology to streamline the process.
Why these are weak:
Led a team of 10 developers in the design, development, and implementation of a custom software solution, resulting in a 30% increase in efficiency for the company.
Successfully managed a budget of $2 million for an IT infrastructure upgrade project, which included hardware, software, and cloud services, resulting in improved system reliability and better data security.
Developed and implemented an IT service desk system that streamlined the company's support processes, reducing downtime and increasing employee productivity.
Oversaw the migration of the company's entire IT infrastructure to the cloud, resulting in cost savings and improved scalability and accessibility.
Developed and implemented IT policies and procedures that were aligned with industry standards and regulations, resulting in improved data security and compliance.
Led a team in the development of an enterprise-wide data analytics system that provided real-time insights for the executive team, resulting in better decision-making and improved business outcomes.
Why these are strong:
Led a project to develop a new software system for the company, but it was delivered months late and over budget
Failed to communicate effectively with the development team, leading to misunderstandings and rework
Did not establish clear project goals and timelines, which caused confusion and delays
Managed a team of IT professionals, but turnover was high and morale was low
Did not provide adequate training or support for team members, resulting in poor performance and frequent errors
Failed to recognize and address employee concerns, leading to low job satisfaction and productivity
Why these are weak:
Dear Hiring Manager,
I am excited to apply for the IT Manager position at [Company Name], and I believe my experience and skills make me an ideal candidate for this role.
My track record in IT management speaks for itself. I have led the design and implementation of new IT infrastructures, resulting in a 20% increase in system uptime and a 15% reduction in IT costs. Additionally, I have successfully managed multiple IT projects, resulting in a 25% increase in project completion rate and a 20% increase in project success rate.
As a collaborative team player, I have a proven track record of working with cross-functional teams to deliver on-time and on-budget projects and initiatives. I have also developed and executed IT strategies that have resulted in a 15% increase in system performance and security.
My attention to detail has been instrumental in my success in managing IT projects, resulting in a 25% decrease in errors. I have also provided support to senior IT managers, making a positive impact on the company's overall performance.
I am confident in my ability to make significant contributions to your team, and I am excited about the opportunity to bring my expertise and experience to your organization.
Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the opportunity to discuss my qualifications further.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
A cover letter is a valuable tool for any job seeker, and this is especially true for IT managers. IT management is a highly competitive field, and a cover letter can help you stand out from other applicants. It can showcase your communication skills, highlight your relevant experience, and demonstrate your enthusiasm for the position.
While a resume provides a summary of your skills and experience, a cover letter allows you to personalize your application and connect with the hiring manager on a deeper level. It's an opportunity to tell your story, explain why you're passionate about IT management, and show how you can add value to the organization.
Here are some of the key reasons for pairing your IT manager resume with a cover letter:
We understand that writing a cover letter may seem daunting, but it doesn't have to be. Remember that the cover letter is an extension of your resume, so you can use the same format and content as your resume. It's also a chance to address any gaps or questions that the hiring manager may have after reading your resume.
Tips for aligning your cover letter with your resume:
The ideal length for an IT Manager's resume should be between one and two pages. Aim for one page if the applicant has less than 10 years of relevant work experience, or two pages if they have more. Keep the content to-the-point and relevant to the specific job you are applying for so that the prospective employer can glean all important details quickly. And be sure to proofread [thoroughly] to ensure that everything is clear, accurate and free of errors.
For a compelling IT Manager resume format, focus on delivering a well-structured layout. Include a clear header, professional summary, and relevant sections such as skills, education, and experience. Make sure each section is presented in a consistent, easily readable format. Whenever possible, utilize keywords to emphasize achievements and create an eye-catching resume.
IT Managers should be sure to include several important hard skills in their resumes. Examples include technical skills like coding, and database management; project and time management abilities; and interpersonal skills like communication, collaboration and problem-solving. Technical Skills: These are essential skills that those in the IT industry need in order to improve systems, develop applications, and troubleshoot problems. Examples include information systems, programming and coding, database management, networking systems, cloud computing, and desktop support. Project and Time Management: IT Managers are responsible for managing projects and overseeing deadlines. They need to be able to manage multiple tasks and be able to prioritize which tasks are most important. Interpersonal Skills: IT Managers are in constant communication with clients and colleagues. As such, they need to have excellent interpersonal skills. These include communication, collaboration, problem-solving, team-work, and leadership abilities. By including these hard skills in their resumes, IT Managers can showcase all the abilities they bring to the table and effectively show why they are the best candidate for the job.
If you have no experience as a IT Manager, start your resume with a brief but descriptive summary highlighting your technical skills and your education. Include any internships and volunteer experience you may have had, relevant technical training, or any certifications you have earned. Focus on transferable skills acquired outside of your professional experience to highlight your experience in IT management. Finally, include your contact information so employers can easily find and reach out to you.