Overview
Systems administration is the backbone of IT infrastructure. Junior sysadmin roles require someone who can manage servers, configure networks, maintain Active Directory, and respond to outages with a clear head. Employers at this level value certifications (CompTIA A+, Network+, or Linux+), home lab experience, and any exposure to real production environments.
This resume belongs to Megan Rowley, a Computer Networks and Systems Administration graduate from the University of Sunderland. She completed a placement year at the NHS Business Services Authority, managing Windows and Linux servers across a 2,000 user estate. She holds CompTIA A+ and Network+ certifications and runs a home lab with 4 virtual servers. Her resume works because it describes infrastructure responsibilities with server counts, user numbers, and uptime figures.
What Makes This Resume Work
The NHS placement provides real infrastructure experience. Managing servers in an organisation with 2,000 users and strict data handling requirements (NHS Data Security and Protection Toolkit) gives Megan credibility that lab environments alone cannot provide.
CompTIA certifications are listed together for impact. A+ and Network+ appearing alongside each other signals a solid foundation in both hardware/software support and networking fundamentals. These are the two most requested certifications for junior sysadmin roles in the UK.
The home lab demonstrates genuine enthusiasm. Running 4 virtual servers on Proxmox, experimenting with Ansible automation and Docker containers, shows Megan spends time outside of work building practical skills. Hiring managers love this.
Server and user counts provide scale. Managing 45 Windows servers and 12 Linux servers across a 2,000 user estate tells the reader exactly what scope of infrastructure Megan has handled.
Key Takeaways
Junior sysadmin resumes must specify the operating systems, server counts, and user base sizes you have supported. Name your certifications (CompTIA A+, Network+, Linux+) and the tools you use (Active Directory, Group Policy, Ansible, Docker). If you run a home lab, describe it with the same specificity as your work experience. Uptime figures, ticket resolution rates, and automation scripts are all valuable metrics to include.
