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Systems administrator skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025
5 min read
Quoted experts
Austin McCoy,
Michael McLaughlin
Systems administrator example skills

One of the most important hard skills a systems administrator can possess is ample experience setting up and maintaining Windows and Linux systems because these are frequently used in work settings. It's also important for systems administrators to have the hard skill of experience accurately troubleshooting problems.


When it comes to soft skills, systems administrators should have strong problem-solving skills above all else. Systems administrators need to manage multiple systems at once, so great multitasking skills are also crucial. In certain industries, strong customer service skills are highly in-demand for systems administrators.

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical systems administrator skills. We ranked the top skills for systems administrators based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 7.4% of systems administrator resumes contained linux as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a systems administrator needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 systems 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 systems administrators use linux:
  • Provide technical guidance and documentation to less-experienced technicians for business continuance planning on our Red Hat Linux systems.
  • Performed maintenance of Linux servers as part of daily operations for supporting internet service customers.

2. 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 systems administrators use troubleshoot:
  • Use my advanced technical and problem solving competencies to troubleshoot and resolve production-impacting outages including web content replication issues.
  • Maintained communication with end-users and supervisors to troubleshoot hardware/software issues and maximize system operations and fine tune equipment performance.

3. Windows Server

Here's how systems administrators use windows server:
  • Provide Windows Server management services and the security administration on managed system with implementation & maintenance of the action solution.
  • Worked on setting up environments using Windows Server like SQA/UAT/Simulation/Disaster Recovery and Performance from scratch to support various applications.

4. Database

A database is a collection of data and information which makes it easy to view, access, and manage. Databases save a lot of time and can store huge amounts of data. Databases make sorting data easier and stores it in certain fields which narrows the searching criteria. A database usually contains tables, graphs, and columns to display data.

Here's how systems administrators use database:
  • Started up/Configured/Administered asset management database.
  • Provided technical support for database environments, including installation, configuration, administering, and upgrades of SQL Server database servers.

5. Technical Support

Technical support or tech support are the services provided by any hardware or software company to users. They help in solving the technical difficulties the customers face with their products or services. Moreover, the tech support employees maintain, manage, and repair the IT faults. They are also responsible for resolving the network problems, installing and configuring hardware and software.

Here's how systems administrators use technical support:
  • Provided technical support for PKI to include certificate issuance, certification revocation, PIV activation and other ID management initiatives.
  • Provide technical support to users, applications, and utility developers on requirements for integration into the operating environment.

6. PowerShell

Here's how systems administrators use powershell:
  • Developed custom PowerShell scripts to implement BitLocker both remotely, and during operating system deployments using System Center Configuration Manager.
  • Design and implement PowerShell 3.0 scripts to automate wide variety of server/infrastructure tasks, strengthening departmental audit capabilities.

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7. 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 systems administrators use os:
  • Analyzed network packet information and computer OS system data to identify and characterize anomalies on networks.
  • Designed, developed and automated system image process including application and OS standardization and packaging.

8. 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 systems administrators use dns:
  • Utilized Linux servers to provide back-up internal DNS functionality.
  • Categorized Dynamic DNS related tickets.

9. 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 systems administrators use unix:
  • Worked as Unix Administrator in IT infrastructure environment providing server administration, application administration and automation solutions to support business objectives.
  • Performed a variety of hardware set-ups and software installations/configurations, including the day-to-day administration of UNIX operating system and related services.

10. SAN

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

Here's how systems administrators use san:
  • Redesigned entire SAN environment to provide redundancy and performance enhancements.
  • Implemented and managed full-meshed SAN infrastructure.

11. Java

Java is a widely-known programming language that was invented in 1995 and is owned by Oracle. It is a server-side language that was created to let app developers "write once, run anywhere". It is easy and simple to learn and use and is powerful, fast, and secure. This object-oriented programming language lets the code be reused that automatically lowers the development cost. Java is specially used for android apps, web and application servers, games, database connections, etc. This programming language is closely related to C++ making it easier for the users to switch between the two.

Here's how systems administrators use java:
  • Saved company many hours of manual testing and developing by engineering Java applications to automate tedious tasks.
  • Utilized Jenkins to deploy and support Java based applications into the production environment.

12. Tcp Ip

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

13. SCCM

Here's how systems administrators use sccm:
  • Managed System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM) 2007 environment including application deployments, imaging processes and security patch deployments.
  • Configured, administered and troubleshot Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM) servers and associated peripheral devices.

14. Computer System

Here's how systems administrators use computer system:
  • Maintain, analyze system components and make recommendations regarding computer system security, monitor network, computer and disk utilization.
  • Coordinate technical vulnerability testing on all networks via computer test bed to verify no vulnerabilities or threats to computer systems.

15. Azure

Here's how systems administrators use azure:
  • Experience with Microsoft Active Directory user account administration, Windows Server installation and configuration, and Azure.
  • Configured and deployed Azure directory connector into an active directory environment consisting of 600 users.
top-skills

What skills help Systems Administrators find jobs?

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

What skills stand out on systems 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 soft skills should all systems administrators possess?

Michael McLaughlin

Faculty, Brigham Young University - Idaho

The ability to work well with people.

What systems 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 systems 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.

What hard/technical skills are most important for systems administrators?

Guido Lang Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Computer Information Systems, Quinnipiac University

- Python
- SQL
- Excel
Do you want to know more?
Read more about what experts have to say about systems administrator

List of systems administrator skills to add to your resume

Systems administrator skills

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

  • Linux
  • Troubleshoot
  • Windows Server
  • Database
  • Technical Support
  • PowerShell
  • OS
  • DNS
  • Unix
  • SAN
  • Java
  • Tcp Ip
  • SCCM
  • Computer System
  • Azure
  • Switches
  • SQL Server
  • DHCP
  • PC
  • Microsoft Windows
  • Disaster Recovery
  • TCP/IP
  • User Accounts
  • Virtualization
  • SharePoint
  • System Performance
  • Citrix
  • Red Hat
  • Workstations
  • Disk
  • Desktop Support
  • Amazon Web Services
  • Lan Wan
  • Web Servers
  • Technical Issues
  • VPN
  • LDAP
  • Vmware Esxi
  • Lan
  • Perl
  • IIS
  • Provisioning
  • Cloud Computing
  • Remedy
  • FTP
  • RHEL
  • Microsoft Exchange
  • VoIP
  • Network Infrastructure

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.

Updated January 8, 2025

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