Skills
Network Technician Skills & Tools
The technical skills, people skills and tools employers look for in network technicians, and how to build and show them.
Network Technicians need technical skills such as tcp/ip networking, switch and router configuration, and wireless networking, plus people skills like problem solving and communication. They also use tools such as Switches, routers and firewalls and Cable testers and toners.
Technical (hard) skills
- TCP/IP networking
- Switch and router configuration
- Wireless networking
- Cabling and testing
- Network monitoring
- Troubleshooting
People (soft) skills
- Problem solving
- Communication
- Patience
- Teamwork
Tools, equipment and technology
- Switches, routers and firewalls
- Cable testers and toners
- Network monitoring tools
- Command-line tools such as ping and traceroute
- Wireless analyzers
- Ticketing systems
Skills in action: common tasks
These step-by-step guides show how network technicians put their skills to work:
- How to troubleshoot a user who can’t connect
- How to terminate and test a network cable
- How to configure a VLAN on a switch
How to show these skills on a resume
- Lead your skills section with the technical skills from the job posting, for example, “TCP/IP networking” and “Switch and router configuration.”
- Prove soft skills with results: instead of listing “problem solving,” describe a situation where you used it.
- List credentials such as CompTIA Network+ near the top, with the issuing organization and date.
- Use the employer’s vocabulary. Our network technician glossary covers the terms hiring managers expect.
How to build these skills
Formal training, supervised practice and certification are the most direct routes. Our Network Technician training introduces each of these skills with plain-language lessons, procedures and a final knowledge check: a strong foundation before hands-on training or your first day.