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Senior system administrator skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025
5 min read
Quoted experts
Austin McCoy,
Dr. Ariful Azad Ph.D.
Senior system administrator example skills
Below we've compiled a list of the most critical senior system administrator skills. We ranked the top skills for senior system administrators based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 7.4% of senior system administrator resumes contained linux as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a senior system administrator needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 senior system administrator skills for your resume and career

1. Linux

Linux is a Unix-like operating system. Just like Windows, Mac OS, and IOS, Linux is an operating system used by millions across the globe. Android itself is powered by the Linux operating system. Linux manages all the hardware resources that are associated with your computer. The software is famous because of the protection it grants from viruses, malware, and crashes. The Linux operating system is entirely free and is an open-source software meaning it can be altered by those equipped with the knowledge to code.

Here's how senior system administrators use linux:
  • Coordinated work with developers and database administrators to deploy and monitor HA environment applications utilizing VERITAS Cluster Services and Linux Cluster.
  • Developed, installed, documented, automated and supported RedHat Satellite/Spacewalk/Cobbler server deployment environment for CentOS Linux servers.

2. Windows Server

Here's how senior system administrators use windows server:
  • Demonstrated knowledge of deploying and maintaining Windows Server environment comprised of servers running both commercial and internally developed software.
  • Monitored network performance of Microsoft Windows servers and Cisco routers for maximum infrastructure availability reliability, and sustainability.

3. Troubleshoot

Troubleshooting is the process of analyzing and fixing any kind of problem in a system or a machine. Troubleshooting is the detailed yet quick search in the system for the main source of an issue and solving it.

Here's how senior system administrators use troubleshoot:
  • Collaborated with various diverse cross-functional groups to design, implement, maintain and troubleshoot geographically dispersed global ClearCase development infrastructure.
  • Manage web based ticketing system to monitor and troubleshoot reported problems and implement necessary changes to ensure simulations systems availability.

4. System Administration

System administration entails the overall management, organization, and operation of system software and hardware. It also extends to the management of servers, workstations, and working operations concerning them all. System administration aims to ensure all functions covering the systems run smoothly and hitch-free.

Here's how senior system administrators use system administration:
  • Execute basic functions such as System Administration, debugging/software troubleshooting, information assurance scanning, software installation/testing, and software/hardware upgrades.
  • Ensured the rigorous application of information security/information assurance policies, principles, and practices in the delivery of system administration services.

5. PowerShell

Here's how senior system administrators use powershell:
  • Produced technical documentation concerning PowerShell script-focused procedures
  • Implemented PowerShell scripts that automated creation of contacts from Active Directory users and updating of address books -increasing productivity and efficiency.

6. SAN

SAN abbreviation for storage area network is a computer network that provides storage access.

Here's how senior system administrators use san:
  • Designed and integrated centralized SAN solution, increasing application speed and decreasing production database refresh times.
  • Experienced Consultant Managed SAN assessment project and provided on-site technical support for the E-procurement production systems.

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7. Azure

Here's how senior system administrators use azure:
  • Utilized GTM functionality to balance web application traffic between two co-location facilities and Azure hosted applications.
  • Implemented a disk-to-disk-to-cloud backup solution for disaster recovery using Riverbed Whitewater / Microsoft Azure.

8. DOD

Definition of Done (DoD) is a set of deliverables that are needed to devise software. These deliverables are valuable to the system and can be exemplified by writing code, coding comments, unit testing, integration testing, design documents, release notes, and so on.

Here's how senior system administrators use dod:
  • Participated in the planning and implementation of policies and procedures to ensure system provisioning and maintenance consistent with DOD requirements.
  • Redesigned classified network to create dedicated encrypted connectivity system to the DoD classified enclave supporting agency peace and wartime missions.

9. OS

In technical terms, OS stands for "Operating System". It is a software that is used to run programs on the computer. An operating system acts as a link between the user and the hardware components. Windows, macOS, iOS, Linux are examples of an operating system.

Here's how senior system administrators use os:
  • Performed security hardening of server OS and network components for production and staging environment.
  • Maintained uniform security and application deployments across OS and device platforms utilizing Absolute Manage.

10. DNS

Domain Name Systems, or DNS for short, is the internet's system for converting readable language, i.e., google.com, to machine language, i.e, 192.168. For a simple analogy, some call it the phonebook of the internet. Any website has its own IP address, for example, 192.168.160. Understandably this is hard to remember. So what a DNS does is link the domain name, google.com, with its IP address, 192.168.160.

Here's how senior system administrators use dns:
  • Developed wiki to document all major systems including security footage, DNS, mail, web systems, and many others.
  • Provide service management of NIS, DNS, Samba, SSH, Subversion, VNC for development lab and production infrastructure.

11. Desktop

The term desktop commonly refers to the desktop computer also called a personal computer. A PC is named after a desktop as it is placed on or under the desk. A desktop computer consists of different accessories such as CPU, monitor, mouse, keyboard, speakers, etc. The desktop also refers to the graphical user interface that appears on a computer, displaying all the icons on the monitor screen.

Here's how senior system administrators use desktop:
  • Created Documentation for Metrics Cycle Process, Server Security Certificates Renewals, Remote Desktop Connection and Backups Procedures.
  • Researched and piloted desktop publishing interface to reporting database for sector financial control staff.

12. SCCM

Here's how senior system administrators use sccm:
  • Created fully automated server and workstation image deployment environment with Microsoft Deployment Toolkit and SCCM.
  • Modified security group membership in Active Directory to support SCCM operations.

13. Unix

UNIX is a computer operating system that was first created in the 1960s and has been constantly updated since then. The operating system refers to the set of programs that enable a machine to function. It is a multi-user, multi-tasking device that works on computers, laptops, and servers. UNIX systems also have a graphical user interface (GUI), similar to Microsoft Windows, that makes it simple to use.

Here's how senior system administrators use unix:
  • Increased data integrity and availability by migrating software development repositories to centralized UNIX disk-array storage system providing fault-tolerance and single-point backups.
  • Stabilized UNIX environment by reducing system downtime and outages by implementing industry best practice solutions using standard preemptive methodologies.

14. Tcp Ip

Here's how senior system administrators use tcp ip:
  • Network administrator (installation and configuration of TCP IP LANs, switches, Cisco routers, internet servers.

15. SharePoint

Here's how senior system administrators use sharepoint:
  • Created documentation for department SharePoint site, including installation instructions, troubleshooting steps, and email templates for software installations.
  • Maintain system stability, performance monitoring, security, and storage capacity requirements for SharePoint and other Web based applications.
top-skills

What skills help Senior System Administrators find jobs?

Tell us what job you are looking for, we’ll show you what skills employers want.

What skills stand out on senior system administrator resumes?

Austin McCoyAustin McCoy LinkedIn profile

Director of Javelina Engineering Student Success Center, Texas A&M University - Kingsville


-Internship/co-op experience -Research experience
-Good leadership skills and involvement on campus and in the community and activities where the individual works as part of a team.
-Well written resume can tell a lot about the technical writing skill; a resume needs to be clean and comfortable to read; recruiters can find what they are looking for easily.
-Less is sometimes more because students sometimes will put more information on a resume than is pertinent to the position applying for.

What senior system administrator skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?

Dr. Ariful Azad Ph.D.

Director of Graduate Studies for the Dept. of Intelligent Systems Engineering, Assistant Professor of Intelligent Systems Engineering, Indiana University Bloomington

I recommend enhancing skills in data analytics, if a graduate lacks such skills. Revitalizing business practices by analyzing user or inventory data is an integral part of almost all business applications. Hence, skills in data analytics will give a graduate an edge in the changing job market. Data analytics comes in various flavors: from gathering simple statistics to advanced machine learning. Hence, a graduate can always improve their skill from freely available online lectures, online classes such as Coursera, or on-ramp classes offered by many universities.

What type of skills will young senior system administrators need?

Vince BowenVince Bowen LinkedIn profile

Executive Director, Department Chair Energy Systems Technology & Education Center (ESTEC), Idaho State University

How to learn. How to problem-solve. Emotional Intelligence to work in teams and get along with coworkers/customers. Then they need the tech skills.

List of senior system administrator skills to add to your resume

Senior system administrator skills

The most important skills for a senior system administrator resume and required skills for a senior system administrator to have include:

  • Linux
  • Windows Server
  • Troubleshoot
  • System Administration
  • PowerShell
  • SAN
  • Azure
  • DOD
  • OS
  • DNS
  • Desktop
  • SCCM
  • Unix
  • Tcp Ip
  • SharePoint
  • Switches
  • Technical Support
  • Virtualization
  • Disaster Recovery
  • DHCP
  • SQL Server
  • TCP/IP
  • Java
  • Network Infrastructure
  • Red Hat
  • Microsoft Windows
  • User Accounts
  • Citrix
  • NAS
  • NetApp
  • Patch Management
  • Perl
  • RHEL
  • Amazon Web Services
  • Backup Recovery
  • Provisioning
  • Vmware Esxi
  • LDAP
  • Virtual Machines
  • Excellent Interpersonal
  • Virtual Servers
  • Lan Wan
  • Workstations
  • Cisco Ucs
  • EMC
  • Nagios
  • IIS
  • Jenkins

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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