Do you know that a recruiter skims your resume for just 7 seconds! When you want to land a job in IT, your resume makes the first impression. If you dream of landing a job in top tech companies like Cisco, Microsoft, Juniper Networks, Wipro, Infosys, HCL, Google, etc., then you must be familiar with the term ATS-aligned resume.

Now, many of you must be familiar with what an ATS-aligned resume is! For some of you who don’t know, it refers to Applicant Tracking System (ATS). This system leverages the power of AI to look for exact keywords in your resume. 

In this guide, you’re going to get a free resume template for IT freshers as well as Network Engineers. We’ll also discuss how you can increase your chances of getting your dream job by crafting your resume a certain way, the exact tech resume template you can steal and finally, what are the do’s and don’t’s for framing your resume.

Why Do You Need the Right Resume Template for IT?

The IT industry is extremely competitive. There are often hundreds of thousands of candidates vying for the same job role. According to a recent report by LinkedIn, each IT job in India receives around 90-120 applications in 2025. From that number, about 15–20% progress to interviews. Out of these candidates, only 2–4% get hired for the job role.

Therefore, your resume makes or breaks your chances of getting your dream job.

Our sample resume for IT professionals can help you target your dream roles. If you’re applying for technical roles, your resume must highlight the following traits:

• Technical expertise 

• Certifications (like CCNA, AWS, or Microsoft).

• Practical projects and achievements.

• Soft skills like teamwork and problem-solving.

There are over 201,000 free resume template downloads available online. However, it is really important to choose the one that is crafted specifically for your job role in IT. If you’re a Network Engineer, we’ve got you covered.

What are the Types of Resume Based on Your Experience?

One of the most important things to understand is that you must find inspiration from the IT resumes available rather than copying any one of them. Some of the most popular resume formats are as follows:

• Chronological resume

It is a great format for professionals who have years of experience. Especially if you have more than 6 years of experience in the industry, your resume can go up to 2 pages. In such cases, it is important to mention the chronology of every place/industry you’ve worked in.

If you’re a fresher, this format is not for you.

• Functional resume

This type of resume format is perfect for professionals who are changing their career into a new field. In this type of resume, it is important to focus on skills rather than experience.

• Combination resume

If you’re a mid-level IT professional, i.e., you have 2-4 years of experience in the IT industry, you can blend skills with work experience.

Which is the Best Resume for IT Freshers?

We’ve specifically created a free resume template for IT freshers who are just starting out their career as a Network Engineer. This is the best resume for IT freshers. To make it easy for you, we have divided the sample resume template in sections so that you can understand each one of them.

1. Start with your Professional/Career Summary
   
   

   

First of all, you must mention your location, email and LinkedIn on the top. If you have even a year of experience in the industry, it is important to summarize your experience. If you don’t, you can introduce yourself and then mention your skills.

2. Showcase your Technical Skills
   
   

   

In the next section, showcase your technical skills. It is important that you divide your skills based on the job role. For example, if you’re applying for the role of a Cybersecurity Engineer, you must showcase which SIEM tools you’re handy with and the operating systems you’ve worked with.

3. Showcase your Work Experience

Next up, showcase your work experience in a chronological order. You must showcase your latest work experience at the top followed by the older one below it. In this section, it is extremely important to use power verbs like ‘managed’, ‘supported’, ‘monitored’, ‘configured’, ‘created’, etc.

Follow the ‘XYZ Method’ which is a powerful framework for creating an impactful and solid work experience section. It follows the following structure:

“Accomplished [X] as measured by [Y], by doing [Z]”

You can check this in the resume given above in the image. For example, “monitored network performance using SolarWinds, reducing downtime incidents by 25%.”

If you’re a fresher, you can skip this section and replace it with project experience.

4. Exhibit Educational Background + Project Experience

After showcasing your work experience, you can show your project experience and/or educational background. Showcase all the hands-on projects you have worked on. You can also post those projects on GitHub or LinkedIn.

5. Certifications are a Must
   
   

   

According to The Wire, a recent survey shows that nearly 85% of employers actively look for certified candidates. According to LinkedIn Learning reports from 2023–2025, about 76% of HR professionals report that certifications are a direct factor in their hiring decisions.

Therefore, you definitely increase your chances to get hired by adding the certification section in your resume.

Want to download this exact resume template? You can download it from here.

What are the Do’s and Don’ts for a Tech Resume?

Systems for tracking applicants (ATS).  Resumes that don't match the requirements are rejected by ATS software, which searches resumes for keywords.

 A quality template for a tech resume should contain:

• A simple, uncluttered design.

• sections for projects, certifications, and technical skills.

• Links to personal portfolios, LinkedIn profiles, or GitHub should be included.

• Long paragraphs should be replaced with easily readable bullet points.

 Using the appropriate tech resume template guarantees that your resume stays professional and recruiter-friendly, regardless of your job title—software developer, network engineer, or IT administrator.

Don'ts: 

For technical opportunities, avoid using ostentatious templates with images or graphics as they may divert recruiters and mislead applicant tracking systems.

• Don't be unclear; instead, be specific and direct.

• Bulk untailored applications should be avoided; customized resumes work considerably better.

Bottom Line

It is important to create a straightforward, ATS-optimized CV that reflects the job description: action verbs, quantified experience, a clear technical skill set and certifications, a strong professional summary, and relevant projects.  As a live document, the resume should be updated and customized for each application.

FAQs:

1. What is an ATS-aligned resume and why does it matter?

An ATS-aligned resume is formatted and keyword-optimized for Applicant Tracking Systems so recruiters see qualified candidates. Without it, your resume may be filtered out.

2. Which format should I use as an IT fresher or mid-level pro?

Freshers: combination/skills-focused with projects. Mid-level (2–4 yrs): combination. Senior (6+ yrs): chronological.

3. What sections are essential on a tech resume?

Contact, short summary, categorized technical skills, experience (quantified), projects/links, education, certifications.

4. How do I make my resume ATS-friendly and recruiter-ready?

Use simple headings, avoid images/tables, include job keywords, use bullet points, and submit requested file types.

5. What top mistakes should I avoid in my resume?

Avoid flashy graphics, generic untailored resumes, vague statements without metrics, and missing certifications or project links.