DevOps Professional resume examples & templates

As a DevOps professional you may have mastered the sweet spot between software development and IT operations. However, you’re more than the ultimate mediator and overseer. You’re a master of innovation, maintenance, and making sure the associated workflows will run according to plan. So, what about when it comes to penning down these skills and writing your own resume?

When it comes to celebrating your own accomplishments, it’s easy to fall short. We get it. In this resume guide, we want to help you to express your value as a DevOps professional with confidence. However, if you still need that extra push, then you can always check out Resume.io’s other free resources and resume examples covering 250+ professions. You’re sure to find the inspiration needed to write a DevOps resume example that will turn heads! 

The resume guide, along with the corresponding resume example will cover the following topics:

• What does a DevOps professional do?
• How to write a DevOps resume (tips and tricks)
• The best format for a DevOps resume
• Advice on each section of your resume (summary, work history, education, skills)
• Professional resume layout and design hints.

What does a DevOps professional do?

A DevOps engineer is the component that unites IT operations with the business they belong to. Usually, this will involve overseeing the life cycle of a software, as well as streamlining the software and the operations teams’ efforts. You are required to be equal parts innovator and pragmatist. 

It’s not easy to successfully straddle the border between what are usually two very different skill sets. You possess the creativity to push the introduction of new features in a software while having the accumen to prioritize stability and program maintenance. It can be a tricky balance to respect, however every great DevOps professional will have skills at both ends of the spectrum.

How to write a DevOps resume

When it comes to writing a compelling DevOps resume, you first want to make sure you cover the basics. Your resume should contain the following elements:

• The resume header
• The resume summary (aka profile or personal statement)
• The employment history section
• The resume skills section
• The education section

Now that you understand the sections needed, it’s time to consider how you will complete them. Start by reading carefully through the job ad. What word choice does it use to talk about the sector and role? What skills and responsibilities does it highlight? These are all keywords that you can use to make sure you and the hiring manager are speaking the same language.

This will also help you to consider the tone you use. If you are applying for a DevOps role in a corporate tech company, you’re unlikely to use the same language as if you were applying for a DevOps role in a creative media company. What is most likely to engage the hiring manager at the place you’re applying to?  A resume that’s sober and to the point? One that’s light and creative? Or one that’s somewhere in-between?

Choosing the best resume format for a DevOps professional 

The reverse chronological format is preferred for a DevOps resume. That means that the main focus of your resume will be your employment history, which - as the name suggests - will be listed in reverse chronological order.

There are other options, such as the functional resume format. This can be selected if you’re near the start of your career and don’t have much professional experience yet. If that sounds like you, then check out our student resume example. 

There are lots of ways to show off the skills you’ve acquired. However, your priority should be to make sure that the only surprise the hiring manager gets is what a great fit you would be for the job. That also means meeting their expectations when it comes to resume format, so stick to reverse chronological where possible.

Resume summary example

The resume summary is a rare opportunity to write something about yourself in a freeform way. DevOps professionals might thrive on technical details, but this is an art as much as it is a science. So put some thought into the things you want to highlight for the hiring manager. 

The summary sits at the top of the page underneath your name. The best-written resume summaries - also known as profiles - will feel like they’re well placed within the story that the rest of your resume builds. However, they shouldn’t feel repetitive. You’ve got just two or three sentences, so make the most of every word! Look at our resume sample content below for inspiration.

Employment history sample

Now you’re ready to deploy the main focus of your DevOps resume. In a nutshell, the employment history section needs to list your previous employment and some highlights from your time there. This may sound simple, but much like coding, sometimes it’s the simplest content that is the hardest to get right.

Remember to include the name of your previous employer, as well as the location and the dates worked there. This vital information will serve as a subheading. Underneath, create a bullet point list of your top accomplishments and contributions there. Aim to use active verbs to build these descriptions.  Saying that you “built and maintained infrastructures” paints a clearer picture for the hiring manager than simply “made infrastructures”.

Nine times out of ten, this section will be the main focus of your DevOps resume. Since you’re probably using the reverse chronological first, your oldest example of employment should sit at the bottom with the most recent at the top. For some resume example content you can take inspiration from, check out our software developer resume sample, IT manager resume sample, or cyber security resume sample.

Resume skills example

Your concoction of skills is what makes you indispensable as a DevOps professional. So, what’s the best way to communicate this through your CV? First of all, get clear on the difference between hard and soft skills. Hard skills are learned behaviors or expertise, such as how to use a specific platform, tool, or software. On the other hand, soft skills are more about attitude and how you carry out a task.

As a DevOps professional, a lot of your value is placed on your hard skills. You should make sure you highlight any tools or coding languages you are familiar with, especially if they are highlighted in the job ad. 

However, a big part of your value comes from how you can bring those teams together that specializing in each stage of the project’s life cycle. The leadership and communication skills necessary for that are key soft skills employers are looking for. Therefore, it’s important to highlight your soft skills in your CV, too. Our resume sample content below will help you to get the balance right!

DevOps resume education example

Assuming that your DevOps resume is adopting the reverse chronological format, this section will be straightforward. You should list your most recent education at the top of the section, and work backward. If you have a master’s degree or higher, you may choose to leave off your high school information.

Each education example should include the institution name, the dates attended, and the location. If you have any specific certifications or courses that make you stand out, you can list them here or even create a separate section.

Resume layout and design

Your DevOps resume needs to have a clear visual presentation if you want the hiring manager to take its content seriously. You have one page to impress and get invited for that interview, so don’t overlook the visuals of your resume.

You want to communicate that you can be trusted with expensive projects, so a clean and simple resume design is preferred. If visual design is not your forte, you can always browse our range of professionally-designed resume templates. 

DevOps Professional text-only resume example

Key takeaways for a DevOps resume

Now that you have mastered the style and content of a top-performing DevOps resume, there’s nothing holding you back. As you head out into your job hunt, don’t forget some of the key takeaways from this resume guide:

1. Your professional summary should set the tone for your professional profile and language that’ll best engage your hiring manager.
2. Use active verb choices to paint a vivid picture of your top accomplishments in the employment history section and beyond.
3. You sit at the sweet spot that balances innovation and pragmatics - make sure this is reflected in your choice of hard and soft skills.
4. Create a professional story through your resume which the written content builds and the visual style supports.