System Administrator Resume Keywords (2025): 60+ ATS Skills to Land Interviews
ResumeAdapter TeamShare this post
Send this to a friend who’s also job searching.
🚨 Not getting system administrator interviews? Your resume is missing critical IT infrastructure keywords.
In 2025, over 97% of companies use ATS to filter system administrator resumes. Missing terms like "Windows Server," "Active Directory," or "PowerShell" can instantly disqualify you—even with years of IT support experience.
This guide gives you 60+ ATS-approved system administrator keywords, organized by category, with real examples and optimization strategies.
👉 Scan Your System Administrator Resume for Missing Keywords - Free
Why System Administrator Resume Keywords Matter in 2025
The brutal truth: System administrator roles are highly platform-specific and tool-dependent, requiring a unique blend of operating systems, server management, and automation keywords.
Recruiters and ATS systems scan your resume for:
- ✅ Operating systems (Windows Server, Linux, RHEL, Ubuntu, CentOS)
- ✅ Directory services (Active Directory, LDAP, Group Policy, User Management)
- ✅ Scripting languages (PowerShell, Bash, Python, Automation)
- ✅ Server management (Server Administration, Server Monitoring, Server Maintenance, Patch Management)
- ✅ Virtualization (VMware, Hyper-V, Virtual Machines, vSphere)
- ✅ Backup/recovery (Backup Solutions, Disaster Recovery, Data Recovery, Backup Verification)
If your resume doesn't match the job's IT infrastructure vocabulary, it gets filtered out—often before a human ever sees it.
According to LinkedIn's 2024 Global Talent Trends report, over 90% of companies rely on ATS systems to filter system administrator resumes. The Microsoft 2024 IT Skills Report confirms that Windows Server, Active Directory, and automation skills are the primary screening criteria for most organizations.
The System Administrator Keyword Gap Problem
75% of system administrator resumes are rejected by ATS before reaching a recruiter.
The #1 reason? Missing operating systems, Active Directory, and automation keywords.
Example: A system administrator resume missing "Windows Server" or "Active Directory" gets filtered out, even if the candidate has 5 years of IT support experience.
The solution: Use this comprehensive keyword guide to ensure your resume includes every term system administrator recruiters search for. Reference official documentation from Microsoft, Red Hat, and VMware to ensure you're using the correct terminology.
60+ Essential System Administrator Resume Keywords (2025)
Our research across hundreds of system administrator job listings shows that successful resumes must include a blend of:
🪟 Windows Server & Microsoft Technologies
| Category | Keywords |
|---|---|
| Windows Server | Windows Server, Windows Server 2016, Windows Server 2019, Windows Server 2022, Server Administration, Server Management |
| Active Directory | Active Directory, AD, Domain Services, Group Policy, User Management, OU (Organizational Unit), DNS, DHCP, LDAP |
| Microsoft 365 | Microsoft 365, Office 365, Exchange Online, SharePoint, Teams Administration, Azure AD, Intune, Endpoint Manager |
| PowerShell | PowerShell, PowerShell Scripting, PowerShell Automation, PowerShell DSC, Windows Automation |
🐧 Linux & Unix Systems
| Category | Keywords |
|---|---|
| Linux Distributions | Linux, RHEL (Red Hat Enterprise Linux), Ubuntu, CentOS, Debian, SUSE, Linux Administration |
| Linux Tools | Bash, Shell Scripting, Cron, Systemd, YUM, APT, Package Management, Linux Security |
| Unix Systems | Unix, Solaris, AIX, HP-UX, Unix Administration |
💻 Server Management & Infrastructure
| Category | Keywords |
|---|---|
| Server Administration | Server Administration, Server Management, Server Monitoring, Server Maintenance, Server Configuration, Server Deployment |
| Patch Management | Patch Management, Windows Updates, Linux Updates, Security Patches, Update Management, WSUS (Windows Server Update Services) |
| Performance Monitoring | Server Monitoring, Performance Monitoring, System Monitoring, Resource Monitoring, Server Performance Tuning |
| IT Infrastructure | IT Infrastructure, Infrastructure Management, Data Center Operations, Server Hardware, Rack Management |
🔄 Virtualization & Cloud
| Category | Keywords |
|---|---|
| Virtualization Platforms | VMware, vSphere, ESXi, Hyper-V, Virtual Machines, VM Management, Virtualization, Server Virtualization |
| Cloud Platforms | AWS, Azure, GCP, Cloud Administration, Cloud Infrastructure, IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service) |
| Containerization | Docker, Container Management, Kubernetes (basic), Container Orchestration |
💾 Backup & Recovery
| Category | Keywords |
|---|---|
| Backup Solutions | Backup Solutions, Backup Management, Veeam, Backup Exec, Acronis, Windows Backup, Linux Backup |
| Disaster Recovery | Disaster Recovery, DR Planning, Business Continuity, RTO (Recovery Time Objective), RPO (Recovery Point Objective) |
| Data Recovery | Data Recovery, Backup Verification, Backup Testing, Restore Operations |
🔒 Security & Compliance
| Category | Keywords |
|---|---|
| Security Management | Security Management, Security Policies, Access Control, User Permissions, Security Hardening, Security Auditing |
| Compliance | IT Compliance, Security Compliance, Audit Preparation, Security Standards, Compliance Reporting |
| Antivirus & Endpoint | Antivirus Management, Endpoint Protection, Endpoint Security, Malware Protection, Security Updates |
🔧 Automation & Scripting
| Category | Keywords |
|---|---|
| Scripting Languages | PowerShell, Bash, Python, Shell Scripting, Automation Scripts, Script Development |
| Automation Tools | Automation, Infrastructure Automation, Ansible, Puppet, Chef, Configuration Management, Infrastructure as Code (IaC) |
| Task Automation | Task Automation, Scheduled Tasks, Cron Jobs, Automation Workflows |
📊 Monitoring & Management Tools
| Category | Keywords |
|---|---|
| Monitoring Tools | Monitoring Tools, Nagios, Zabbix, PRTG, SolarWinds, SCOM (System Center Operations Manager), Network Monitoring |
| Management Platforms | System Center, SCCM (System Center Configuration Manager), SCOM, WSUS, Remote Management Tools |
| Ticketing Systems | ServiceNow, JIRA Service Management, Remedy, Ticketing Systems, Incident Management, Change Management |
🎓 Certifications (High-Value Keywords)
| Vendor | Certifications |
|---|---|
| Microsoft | Microsoft Certified: Windows Server, Microsoft 365 Certified, Azure Administrator Associate, MCSE (Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert) |
| Red Hat | RHCSA (Red Hat Certified System Administrator), RHCE (Red Hat Certified Engineer), Red Hat Certified Specialist |
| VMware | VCP (VMware Certified Professional), VCA (VMware Certified Associate) |
| General | CompTIA Server+, CompTIA Linux+, ITIL Foundation, AWS Certified SysOps Administrator |
How to Integrate Keywords into Your System Administrator Resume
✅ Strong Example: Keyword-Optimized System Administrator Resume
System Administrator | ABC Corporation
Managed IT infrastructure supporting 2,000+ users across 10 locations
- Administered Windows Server 2019/2022 environment with 50+ servers, achieving 99.9% uptime through proactive monitoring and maintenance
- Managed Active Directory for 2,000+ users, implementing Group Policy and security policies that reduced security incidents by 45%
- Automated routine tasks using PowerShell scripts, reducing manual workload by 30 hours per week and improving efficiency
- Implemented VMware vSphere virtualization infrastructure, consolidating 30 physical servers into 5 hosts and reducing hardware costs by 60%
- Managed backup and disaster recovery using Veeam, achieving 99.9% backup success rate and RTO of 4 hours
- Monitored server performance using SolarWinds and Nagios, proactively resolving 95% of issues before user impact
Why it works:
- ✅ Includes OS keywords: Windows Server 2019/2022, Active Directory
- ✅ Includes automation keywords: PowerShell, Automation
- ✅ Includes virtualization keywords: VMware, vSphere, Virtualization
- ✅ Includes backup keywords: Veeam, Backup, Disaster Recovery
- ✅ Includes monitoring keywords: SolarWinds, Nagios, Server Monitoring
- ✅ Quantifiable results (99.9% uptime, 45% reduction, 60% cost savings)
❌ Weak Example: Missing Critical Keywords
System Administrator | XYZ Company
Helped with computer systems and fixed IT problems
- Worked on servers and computers
- Fixed technical issues
- Helped users with IT problems
- Set up new computers
- Monitored systems
Why it fails:
- ❌ No OS keywords (Windows Server, Linux, Active Directory)
- ❌ No automation keywords (PowerShell, Bash, Automation)
- ❌ No virtualization keywords (VMware, Hyper-V)
- ❌ No backup keywords (Backup Solutions, Disaster Recovery)
- ❌ No specific tools (Veeam, SolarWinds, Nagios)
- ❌ Vague descriptions without quantifiable results
- ❌ Generic language that doesn't match ATS filters
Keyword Integration Strategy
Step 1: Match Job Description Keywords
Before applying, identify:
- OS requirements (Windows Server, Linux, or both?)
- Directory service requirements (Active Directory, LDAP?)
- Automation requirements (PowerShell, Bash, Python?)
- Virtualization requirements (VMware, Hyper-V?)
- Certification requirements (Microsoft Certified, RHCSA?)
Step 2: Prioritize Keywords by Frequency
High-priority keywords (appear in 80%+ of job descriptions):
- Windows Server, Active Directory, Linux, PowerShell, Server Management, Backup/Recovery
Medium-priority keywords (appear in 50-80% of job descriptions):
- VMware, Hyper-V, Monitoring, Patch Management, Automation, Scripting
Specialized keywords (appear in 20-50% of job descriptions):
- Ansible, Puppet, Cloud Administration, Container Management, Security Hardening
Step 3: Add Keywords Naturally
✅ DO:
- Use keywords in context: "Administered Windows Server 2019 environment"
- Include OS + tool: "Managed Active Directory with Group Policy"
- Show automation: "Automated tasks using PowerShell scripts"
❌ DON'T:
- Keyword stuff: "System Administrator with Windows Server Linux Active Directory PowerShell experience"
- List without context: "Skills: Windows Server, Linux, Active Directory, PowerShell"
- Use outdated terms: "Computer maintenance" (use "Server Management")
Step 4: Include Certifications
If you have certifications, add them:
- Certifications: Microsoft Certified: Windows Server, RHCSA, CompTIA Server+
- Or in education section: "Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA) - 2024"
Step 5: Validate Your Resume
Use our free ATS scanner to check if your resume includes the right keywords:
👉 Scan Your System Administrator Resume for Missing Keywords - Free
Related Articles
Internal Guides
- Complete Resume Keywords List Hub - Browse all role-specific keyword guides
- Network Engineer Resume Keywords - Network infrastructure and routing keywords
- Cloud Engineer Resume Keywords - Cloud infrastructure and architecture keywords
- DevOps Engineer Resume Keywords - Infrastructure automation and CI/CD keywords
- Database Administrator Resume Keywords - Database management and optimization keywords
System Administration Resources
- LinkedIn System Administrator Jobs - Search system administrator positions
- Indeed System Administrator Career Guide - System administrator salary and career insights
- Glassdoor System Administrator Insights - System administrator salary data and company reviews
- Microsoft Learn - Official Microsoft training and certification resources
- Red Hat Learning - Official Red Hat training and certification resources
- VMware Learning - Official VMware training and certification resources
- CompTIA Certifications - Industry-standard IT certifications
- ResumeWorded System Administrator Resume Examples - System administrator resume examples and templates
- Jobscan System Administrator Resume Optimization - ATS optimization tool for system administrator resumes
FAQ
What are the most important system administrator resume keywords?
The most critical keywords include Windows Server, Linux, Active Directory, PowerShell, Bash, Server Management, Backup/Recovery, Monitoring, Virtualization, and IT Infrastructure. These appear in over 90% of system administrator job descriptions.
How many system administrator keywords should I include?
Include 25-35 highly relevant keywords that match the job description. Focus on operating systems, server management tools, scripting languages, and infrastructure technologies you've actually used.
Should I include both Windows and Linux keywords?
Yes. System administrators should list both Windows Server and Linux (RHEL, Ubuntu, CentOS) to show comprehensive server management expertise, as most environments use both.
Do I need to mention automation and scripting keywords?
Absolutely. Keywords like PowerShell, Bash, Python, Automation, and Infrastructure as Code are essential and appear in most modern system administrator job descriptions.
Can I include IT certifications like Microsoft Certified or Red Hat Certified?
Yes. Certifications like Microsoft Certified: Windows Server, Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA), CompTIA Server+, and AWS Certified SysOps Administrator are valuable keywords.
Ready to optimize your system administrator resume? Use our free ATS scanner to identify missing keywords and get an instant ATS compatibility score.
👉 Scan Your System Administrator Resume for Missing Keywords - Free