Writing a CV for your first network or security job

Junior job adverts often ask for experience, which feels impossible when you're just starting. The trick is to show evidence of skill, not just a list of courses.

Lead with a short, specific summary

Two or three lines: what you know, what you've built and what role you want. For example: "Entry-level network engineer with hands-on VLAN, routing and firewall lab experience, looking for a NOC or support role."

Turn labs into projects

Write each lab like a work project: the goal, what you configured and the result. "Designed a 4-VLAN office network with inter-VLAN routing and ACLs restricting guest access" says far more than "knowledge of VLANs".

Count support work

Helping users, fixing printers, setting up laptops and resetting accounts are real IT experience. Describe them with numbers where you honestly can: how many users, devices or tickets.

Keep it clean

• One or two pages, simple layout, no photos or graphics that confuse applicant tracking systems.
• Match words from the job advert where they truly apply to you.
• Put certifications and education after skills and projects if your projects are stronger.
• Add a link to your lab write-ups or a professional profile.

Before you send it

Read it out loud, check every date, and ask someone in the field to look at it. Then prepare to talk through every line, because interviewers will ask "tell me more about this".