From projecting future IT needs to upgrading today's software, IT managers make sure systems are running smoothly behind the scenes so that a company can operate efficiently. If you've worked in IT for a while, you may be looking to jump up to a management role which allows you to focus on bigger picture ideas and manage a team that handles day-to-day concerns.
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A great IT manager resume is the tool to help you get there. Resume.io has designed this guide, along with our 350+ resume examples, to help you highlight your strengths and leave a hiring manager ready to bring you aboard.
Here's what we will cover in the rest of this guide, along with our IT manager resume sample:
- The duties of an IT manager as it relates to writing your resume
- The essential sections needed to write an effective IT manager resume
- How to create a well-rounded resume summary
- The best layout and design for an IT manager resume sample
What does an IT manager do?
IT managers are responsible for directing, coordinating and maintain the development, implementation, and production activities of various information systems. They help to drive strategy, content creation and program management across multiple work streams. An ideal candidate possesses superior IT technology skills and understands the complexities of multiple IT platforms and software programs.
An IT manager also organizes and directs a team composed of software engineers and analysts (check out the network systems analyst resume example) to make sure IT systems meet the company's needs and business goals.
As an IT manager, you're plugged into one of the most rapidly growing fields. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (U.S.) estimates that the job outlook will grow by 15% over the coming decade – that equals almost 86,000 new jobs that are awaiting your resume!
Check out our other related informational technology resume samples to see how they're structured for more ideas and pointers.
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- IT Project manager resume sample
How to write an IT manager resume
When writing an IT manager resume, you should make sure to include a few key sections found on most resumes. This structure will help hiring managers find the information most relevant to them. Here are the key components:
- The resume header
- The resume summary (aka profile or personal statement)
- The employment history section
- The resume skills section
- The education section
IT managers should be familiar and adept in handling IT support, managing IT projects, and supporting various engineering departments with IT tools and applications.
A winning IT manager resume sample should showcase a motivated attitude and the ability to establish strong and productive relationships with other company members. By using one of Resume.io’s field-tested resumes examples you will be on your way to finding the job you are looking for.
As an IT manager, you're comfortable with all sorts of software and programs – but there's still one that might trip you up. Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) are algorithms that scan resumes for keywords and rank them against the other applicants.
Only a small percentage of candidates are then passed on to the hiring manager for review. That means if you don't incorporate enough job-specific information, your resume may not ever be read by human eyes. Here are some tips to avoid that fate:
- Read the job description closely and make note of any duties, skills or knowledge prioritized by the company.
- Insert those "keywords" into the correct resume sections using common headers like "skills" and "education."
- Create a layout that's organized and easy for both the ATS and the hiring manager to find what they're looking for.
Choosing the best resume format for IT managers
The best format for IT managers is generally the reverse chronological format. This format begins with your most recent (or current) role and works backwards until you've listed all relevant experience.
Don't forget to include key details like the company name, location, dates worked and job title. Underneath each position, you can create bullet points that use action verbs to describe your most impressive duties and accomplishments.
IT is an experience and project-driven field, so the reverse chronological format helps you explain your experience and career trajectory.
However, if you are just starting out in IT, you may consider a hybrid resume format. This format begins with an "experience" section which lists your top skills and specialization areas. You can then continue to create a shorter employment history section just like you would on a more traditional resume.
Keep your resume short and concise!
One of the most commonly asked questions when creating your application is " How long should my resume be?" Now that you're either in or moving into a managerial role, you're likely wondering if it's time to create a longer resume.
As a general rule, if you've been in the field 10 years or less, it's preferable to stick with a one page resume. This increases the chances that a hiring manager will stay interested long enough to read all your experience.
Resume summary example
Your resume summary is the place to showcase your most impressive accomplishments and attributes here. The goal of the summary is to catch a hiring manager's attention and pique their interest enough to make them read the rest of your resume. To that end, remember to use as many powerful action verbs and job specific information as you can. IT Managers have a tremendous amount of responsibility in companies, so highlighting your key attributes, leaderships skills and accomplishments here is crucial. This is also the place to include any key certifications, especially if requested in the job description.
Check out this summary text from our IT manager resume example.
Experienced and professional IT Manager with 10+ years of valuable experience in monitoring project performance to ensure company success. Familiar and adept in working with engineering, industrial engineering, change management, and business transformation systems. Reputation for continually achieving on time and under-budget performance goals. Bringing forth a motivated attitude and the ability to establish strong relationships.
Tailor your summary for the ATS software
The summary is one of the places the ATS focuses on most when scanning your resume for keywords. Make sure to use the exact wording from the job decription. For example, if the posting asks for "5+ years of IT management experience" you should include that exact phrase instead of "7 years of experience."
Employment history sample
Your employment history section showcases the knowledge you've learned along the way. List all positions relevant to the IT Management field, or positions that have transferable duties and/or required skills. IT managers are responsible for handling multiple projects and platforms, so do mention work experiences related to those areas.
Here's the employment history section from our IT manager resume example.
IT Manager at Phylo Biometrics Inc., New York
September 2013 - Present
- Create business requirements and technical and quality assurance specifications.
- Establish and educate others on controls and protocols for projects.
- Increase customer satisfaction by creating solutions for product enhancement.
- Increase team productivity by 40% and monitored procedures and documentation for further productivity.
IT Manager at Equal Inc., New York
September 2010 - September 2013
- Increased revenue by $6M, by implementing integration IT projects and meeting aggressive budget constraints.
- Managed all documentation and drafted weekly project communication reports, which were presented at meetings.
- Created and lead teams across multiple departments to ensure forecasted objectives were met and overall desired outcomes achieved.
- Spoke daily with customer personnel ensuring that contract protocols were satisfied.
Education section example
The education section may carry extra importance depending on what certifications are requested by the employer. Since many IT professionals work their way up without a higher degree, you may list your high school here. However, it's best to leave it off if you hold a bachelor's degree or higher. List any certifications, organizations or training you've completed that shows your commitment to continuing education.
What education do you need to work in IT?
If you want to land a job as an IT manager, your education matters. The BLS reports that most IT professionals have a bachelor's degree or higher. However, keep in mind that there are many ways to get into this field. Don't worry if you only have a high school diploma. Your work experience will also count toward you landing this dream role.
See how to format your education with this excerpt from our IT manager resume sample.
Master of Computer Science, New York University, New York
August 2010 - May 2012
- Graduated with a 4.0 GPA.
Bachelor of Computer Science, Rhodes College, Memphis
August 2006 - May 2010
- Graduated summa cum laude.
CV skills example
The skills section of your CV is the way to show a hiring manager that you've got both the specialized IT project manager knowledge to get the job done as well as the people skills to direct a team.
As you can see on our IT manager resume example, it's important to include a balance of both hard skills and soft skills to show that you're a well rounded candidate who can effectively communicate with other team members.
An outstanding IT Manager CV, such as this example, will include a number of impressive skills that your employer is looking for in a candidate. A hiring manager looking for an IT manager is looking for a strong strategic thinker who thrives with complexity and works well with others. Be sure to include job specific skills.
Here's the skills section from our IT manager resume sample.
- Project Management
- Information Technology
- Web and Mobile Design
- Organizational Skills
- Time Management
- Analytical Thinking Skills
Resume layout and design
Just because IT managers work in a technical field, doesn't mean the layout and design of their resumes should be an afterthought. IT managers should pay attention to create a visually attractive presentation (a good point of reference is our web developer resume sample as well). While your resume doesn't need to be complicated, a splash of color or a bold font can help draw the eye to your header and make your resume more memorable.
If you don't have time to design your resume yourself, you might find that a customizable resume template can make great formatting much easier.
- Opt for a one-page resume whenever possible
- Keep a healthy balance of white space to text
- Align your layout with the company image
- Go overboard with too many colors which could come across as unprofessional
- Use more than two different fonts on the same resume
- Forget to proofread your resume before you submit
Key takeaways for an IT manager resume
- Jobs abound in this rapidly growing field – make sure your IT manager resume is polished so that you can land the perfect role.
- Don't forget about the ATS. By incorporating job description keywords you can increase your chances of making it to the hiring manager's desk.
- The summary section should present your key strengths and qualifications while encouraging the reader to continue for more information.
- Make sure to use action verbs, numbers and statistics to prove your effectiveness in previous roles.
- A good IT manager resume sample can show you how to create a layout and design that conveys professionalism.
