Use this template
Add your own experience and make this layout yours.
dev-engineering
Cisco Network Engineer
Resume Example
4.5 / 5
Why This Template Works
This resume format works exceptionally well for ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems) due to its structured approach to listing skills, experience, and education relevant to a Cisco Network Engineer role. The inclusion of specific technical terms such as 'Cisco ASA', 'SD-WAN implementation', and 'CCIE certification' ensures that automated systems can easily identify the candidate's qualifications. Additionally, the use of action verbs like 'designed', 'implemented', and 'monitored' in bullet points for work experience makes the resume more engaging while maintaining clarity for ATS parsers.
Instant Resume Score
Check Your Senior Cisco Network Engineer Resume Score
Upload your resume for an instant ATS score and practical, role-specific improvements.
- No Signup Required
- Private by Default
- Usually under 30 sec
Your resume
One step to your resume score
Add your resume to run a free score and get prioritized fixes.
How to Write This Resume
Expert guidelines and best practices for each section of your resume.
01
Contact
Contact
First Name Last Name City, State, Zip Code Phone Number | Email Address LinkedIn Profile URL | Portfolio URL (Optional)
General Guidelines
Your contact information is the first section recruiters see. Keep it concise and professional. Ensure your email address is appropriate (e.g., [email protected]). Include your LinkedIn profile for a comprehensive view of your professional journey. A portfolio or personal website is recommended for creative, technical, or design roles.
Avoid This
Do not include your full physical address (street number/name) for privacy reasons. Avoid including personal details like marital status, age, photo, or social security number unless specifically required in your country. Don't use unprofessional email addresses.
Real Examples
See clear examples of how to format contact details effectively.
Don't
John Doe 1234 Random St, Apt 56 New York, NY 10001 [email protected] github.com/aliciacode Single, 28 years old
Do
John Doe New York, NY (555) 123-4567 | [email protected] linkedin.com/in/johndoe | github.com/johndoe | johndoe.dev
Quick Tips
- Use a professional email address (firstname.lastname format)
- Ensure your voicemail is set up and professional
- Double-check your phone number and email for typos
- Make your LinkedIn URL custom (linkedin.com/in/yourname)
- Include GitHub link for developer roles
02
Summary
Summary
Professional Title Result-oriented [Role Name] with [Number] years of experience in [Key Skills/Industries]. Proven track record of [Major Achievement]. Skilled in [Key Technologies/Skills]. Committed to delivering [Specific Value] for [Target Industry/Company type].
General Guidelines
A professional summary is your elevator pitch. It should be 3-5 sentences long, summarizing your experience, key skills, and major achievements. Tailor it to the job description by using relevant keywords. Focus on what makes you unique and the value you bring to potential employers.
Avoid This
Avoid generic objectives like 'Looking for a challenging role to grow my skills.' Recruiters want to know what value you bring to them, not what you want from them. Don't use first-person pronouns (I, me, my). Keep it concise and impactful.
Real Examples
Compare a weak objective with a strong professional summary.
Don't
Objective: I am a hard-working individual looking for a Cisco Network Engineer position where I can learn new things and advance my career.
Do
Senior Cisco Network Engineer with 6+ years of experience in designing secure SD-WAN solutions. Reduced unauthorized access attempts by 80% through proactive security policies. Expert in Cisco DNA Center, SD-WAN automation tools, and Python scripting for network optimization.
Quick Tips
- Quantify achievements where possible (e.g., 'Increased revenue by 20%')
- Keep it under 5 lines for readability
- Use strong action verbs to start sentences
- Tailor the summary to match the job description
03
Skills
Skills
Technical Skills - Languages: [List] - Frameworks: [List] - Tools: [List] Soft Skills - [Skill 1], [Skill 2], [Skill 3]
General Guidelines
Group your skills logically (e.g., Languages, Frameworks, Tools). Focus on hard skills relevant to the job. List skills in order of proficiency or relevance. Soft skills are better demonstrated through bullet points in your experience section rather than a bare list.
Avoid This
Do not list skills you are not comfortable using in an interview. Avoid using progress bars or percentages to rate your skills (e.g., "Java: 80%"). Do not include outdated technologies unless specifically required by the job description.
Real Examples
Don't
Python: Intermediate
Do
Python
Don't
Cisco ASA, Cisco DNA Center, SD-WAN solutions (10 years experience)
Do
Cisco ASA, Cisco DNA Center, SD-WAN implementation
Quick Tips
- Focus on listing relevant technologies and tools that align with the job requirements.
- Avoid using generic soft skills like 'team player' or 'good communicator'; instead, highlight specific examples of how these skills were applied in past projects.
- Prioritize technical expertise over vague descriptions. Be concise but comprehensive.
- Ensure your list of hard skills includes current and emerging technologies to demonstrate continuous learning and adaptation.
04
Experience
Experience
Job Title | Company Name | Location Month Year – Month Year - Action Verb + Context + Result (Quantified) - Led [Project] resulting in [Outcome]... - Collaborated with [Team] to implement [Feature]...
General Guidelines
This is the core of your resume. Use reverse-chronological order (most recent first). Start each bullet with a strong action verb. Focus on achievements and impact, not just duties. Use numbers to quantify your impact (dollars, percentages, time saved, users affected). Show progression and increasing responsibility.
Avoid This
Avoid passive language like "Responsible for..." or "Tasked with...." Don't list every single daily task; focus on significant contributions and measurable outcomes. Avoid jargon that recruiters outside your field won't understand.
Real Examples
Practical example showing do's and don'ts for experiences
Don't
Implemented Cisco ASA security measures at Previous Company Inc, San Francisco, CA (2021-2023)
Do
Configured Cisco ASA security measures to block 90% of malicious traffic attempts, enhancing network security at Previous Company Inc, San Francisco, CA (June 2020 - December 2021)
Don't
Worked on critical network outages and ensured business continuity for Previous Company Inc.
Do
Troubleshot and resolved critical network outages, ensuring uninterrupted service for over 10K users at Previous Company Inc (June 2020 - December 2021)
Don't
Led a project team to deploy Cisco SD-WAN solution.
Do
Directed a team of engineers in deploying a Cisco SD-WAN solution that improved WAN performance by 20% across multiple sites at Previous Company Inc, San Francisco, CA (June 2018 - May 2020)
Don't
Responsible for implementing and maintaining network security policies.
Do
Developed and deployed network security policies that reduced unauthorized access attempts by 80% within six months at Tech Company Inc, San Francisco, CA (January 2022 - Present)
Quick Tips
- Highlight your achievements with quantifiable results to demonstrate impact.
- Use action verbs such as 'configured', 'resolved', and 'directed' to start each bullet point for clarity.
- Avoid listing routine tasks; focus on significant projects or solutions you implemented.
- Tailor descriptions to reflect an increasing level of responsibility over time.
05
Education
Education
Degree Name | University Name | Location Month Year – Month Year - Relevant Coursework: [Course 1], [Course 2] - Honors/Awards: [Award Name] - GPA: X.X (if above 3.5)
General Guidelines
List your highest degree first. If you have significant work experience, keep the education section brief. Include your GPA only if it is above 3.5 or if you are a recent graduate. Highlight relevant coursework, academic projects, honors, or leadership roles.
Avoid This
Do not include high school details if you have a college degree. Avoid listing every single course you took; select only the most relevant ones. Don't include graduation dates from decades ago if age discrimination is a concern in your field.
Real Examples
Practical example showing do's and don'ts for educations
Don't
Master of Science in Computer Networking | Portland State University, Oregon September 2014 – May 2017 - Courses: Advanced Routing & Switching, Network Security, SD-WAN Implementation, Database Design, Cloud Computing, Operating Systems, Data Structures and Algorithms
Do
Master of Science in Computer Networking and Security | Portland State University, Oregon September 2014 – May 2017 - Relevant Coursework: Network Security, Advanced Routing & Switching, SD-WAN Implementation
Quick Tips
- List your highest degree first.
- Include only relevant coursework that aligns with your current job role.
- Highlight any academic honors or awards you received if they are significant.
- Keep the education section brief and exclude details of less relevant courses.
06
Projects
Projects
Project Name | Technologies Used - Briefly describe what you built and its purpose - Highlight a specific technical challenge you solved - Link to GitHub or live demo if available
General Guidelines
Projects are excellent for demonstrating practical skills, especially if you lack work experience or are changing careers. Include a link to the GitHub repo or live demo if possible. Focus on projects that show problem-solving skills and relevant technologies for the target role.
Avoid This
Don't include trivial tutorials unless you significantly expanded on them. Avoid projects that are outdated, incomplete, or irrelevant to the role you're applying for. Don't just list technologies—explain what you built and why it matters.
Real Examples
Practical example showing do's and don'ts for projects
Don't
Created a simple SD-WAN lab using Cisco routers in GNS3, no real-world application or modifications made.
Do
Developed an automated script using Python to configure and deploy secure SD-WAN policies across multiple branch offices, reducing manual configuration time by 70%. Utilized Cisco DNA Center for centralized management.
Quick Tips
- Use projects that solve complex network issues with innovative solutions
- Highlight the specific technologies used and their relevance to the field of network security
- Ensure each project demonstrates a unique aspect of your skill set, such as automation or troubleshooting
- Include quantitative outcomes if possible (e.g., reduced configuration time by 70%)
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this role and how to best present it on your resume.
Include routing and switching, Cisco SD-WAN, firewall policy, troubleshooting, network automation, and measurable outcomes such as reduced latency or faster incident recovery.
Match your bullets to the posting by emphasizing the Cisco platforms, protocols, security tools, and business environments the employer names.
Yes. List relevant certifications such as CCNA, CCNP Security, CCNP Enterprise, or CCIE Enterprise Infrastructure when they are active and accurate.
Pair the technical action with scope and result, such as the number of branches supported, users affected, latency reduced, or configuration time saved.
Your Next Interview is Just One Resume Away
Create a professional, optimized resume in minutes. No design skills needed—just proven results.
Double Your Interview Callbacks
Candidates who tailor their resumes to the job description get 2.5x more interviews. Use our AI to auto-tailor your CV for every single application instantly.