Top 12 Infrastructure Manager Skills to Put on Your Resume

In the rapidly evolving field of technology, having a strong set of skills is crucial for infrastructure managers aiming to stand out in the job market. This article delves into the top 12 skills that are essential for infrastructure managers to showcase on their resumes, ensuring they capture the attention of potential employers and excel in their roles.

Infrastructure Manager Skills

1. AWS
2. Azure
3. VMware
4. Cisco
5. PowerShell
6. Python
7. Kubernetes
8. Docker
9. SQL
10. Linux
11. Active Directory
12. Ansible

1. AWS

AWS (Amazon Web Services) is a comprehensive, secure cloud services platform offering compute power, database storage, content delivery, and various other functionalities to help businesses scale and grow.

Why It's Important

AWS (Amazon Web Services) is crucial for an Infrastructure Manager because it provides a scalable, reliable, and cost-effective cloud computing platform, enabling the seamless deployment and management of applications and services with global reach, without the need for upfront hardware investments or long-term commitments.

How to Improve AWS Skills

Improving AWS infrastructure involves optimizing performance, security, cost, and reliability. Here’s a concise guide for an Infrastructure Manager:

1. Performance Optimization: Use AWS Compute Optimizer to analyze and get recommendations for your instances. AWS Compute Optimizer

2. Cost Management: Implement AWS Budgets to monitor and manage costs. AWS Budgets

3. Security Enhancement: Apply AWS Identity and Access Management (IAM) best practices to secure your services. IAM Best Practices

4. Reliability and High Availability: Implement Amazon Route 53 for DNS and traffic management, and use AWS Auto Scaling to adjust resources as needed. Amazon Route 53, AWS Auto Scaling

5. Backup and Disaster Recovery: Utilize AWS Backup for centralized backup across AWS services. AWS Backup

6. Networking Efficiency: Use Amazon CloudFront for content delivery and AWS Direct Connect for a dedicated network connection to AWS. Amazon CloudFront, AWS Direct Connect

7. Regular Audits and Reviews: Conduct regular audits with AWS Trusted Advisor for best practice checks. AWS Trusted Advisor

8. Automation: Leverage AWS CloudFormation for infrastructure as code to automate deployment. AWS CloudFormation

9. Stay Updated: Regularly review the AWS Blog and AWS What’s New page for the latest features and updates. AWS Blog, AWS What’s New

10. Training and Certification: Encourage continuous learning through AWS Training and Certification programs. AWS Training and Certification

By focusing on these areas, you can enhance your AWS infrastructure's efficiency, security, and cost-effectiveness.

How to Display AWS Skills on Your Resume

2. Azure

Azure is Microsoft's cloud computing platform, offering a wide range of services including computing, analytics, storage, and networking, enabling businesses to build, manage, and deploy applications on a global network using their preferred tools and frameworks.

Why It's Important

Azure is important for an Infrastructure Manager because it provides a scalable, secure, and cost-efficient cloud platform for deploying, managing, and scaling applications and infrastructure, enabling digital transformation and business agility.

How to Improve Azure Skills

Improving Azure infrastructure management involves optimizing performance, security, and cost-efficiency. Here are concise strategies tailored for an Infrastructure Manager:

1. Implement Azure Policies and Blueprints - Ensure compliance and standardize resources by implementing Azure Policies and Blueprints.

2. Utilize Azure Monitor and Insights - Proactively monitor service health, performance, and usage patterns by leveraging Azure Monitor and Azure Insights.

3. Optimize Costs with Azure Cost Management - Identify and manage Azure costs effectively with Azure Cost Management tools.

4. Enhance Security with Azure Security Center - Strengthen security posture and protect against threats using Azure Security Center.

5. Automate with Azure Automation and Azure DevOps - Automate deployment, management, and operational tasks with Azure Automation and Azure DevOps.

6. Adopt Azure Site Recovery for Disaster Recovery - Ensure business continuity by setting up disaster recovery plans with Azure Site Recovery.

7. Use Azure Advisor for Best Practices - Get personalized recommendations to optimize Azure deployments with Azure Advisor.

8. Leverage Azure Hybrid Benefit - Maximize savings by applying Azure Hybrid Benefit for your Windows Server and SQL Server workloads on Azure.

Implementing these strategies effectively will enhance the performance, security, and cost-efficiency of your Azure infrastructure.

How to Display Azure Skills on Your Resume

3. VMware

VMware is a leading provider of virtualization and cloud computing software and services, enabling businesses to run, manage, connect, and secure applications across clouds and devices in a common operating environment. For an Infrastructure Manager, it offers tools to create and manage virtual machines, data centers, and networks, optimizing hardware usage and simplifying administration.

Why It's Important

VMware is crucial for an Infrastructure Manager as it enables efficient virtualization of physical servers, significantly reducing hardware costs, enhancing scalability, and improving disaster recovery capabilities.

How to Improve VMware Skills

Improving VMware performance and management as an Infrastructure Manager involves optimizing resources, ensuring security, and staying up-to-date with VMware technologies. Here are concise steps with relevant resources:

1. Resource Optimization: Utilize VMware's vCenter Operations Manager to monitor performance and allocate resources efficiently to prevent over-provisioning and under-utilization.

2. Security Enhancement: Follow VMware's Security Hardening Guides to secure your virtual environment against vulnerabilities.

3. Automation: Implement VMware vRealize Automation to streamline the deployment and management of VMs and services, reducing manual tasks and errors.

4. Update and Patch: Regularly check VMware's Product Patches page to download and apply the latest patches and updates.

5. Training and Certification: Encourage team members to participate in VMware Education Services and Certification programs to upgrade their skills.

6. Network Optimization: Use VMware NSX for network virtualization and security, optimizing traffic flow and protecting data.

7. Performance Benchmarking: Benchmark your VMware environment using tools like VMmark to identify performance issues and improvement areas.

8. Storage Management: Leverage VMware vSAN for highly scalable and performance-optimized storage solutions that are integrated with your VMware environment.

9. Disaster Recovery Plan: Implement VMware Site Recovery Manager for automated disaster recovery planning, ensuring business continuity.

10. Community Engagement: Join VMware Community Forums to share knowledge, solve problems, and stay informed about the latest VMware technologies and best practices.

By focusing on these areas, you can significantly improve your VMware infrastructure's efficiency, reliability, and security.

How to Display VMware Skills on Your Resume

4. Cisco

Cisco is a global technology leader that designs, manufactures, and sells networking equipment, software, and services used to connect and manage digital infrastructure and networks.

Why It's Important

Cisco is crucial for an Infrastructure Manager because it provides robust, reliable networking hardware and software solutions essential for building, managing, and securing an organization's IT infrastructure efficiently and effectively.

How to Improve Cisco Skills

Improving your Cisco infrastructure as an Infrastructure Manager involves several key steps to enhance performance, security, and manageability. Below are concise strategies with relevant resources:

1. Network Assessment: Conduct a thorough assessment of your current network to identify bottlenecks, security vulnerabilities, and areas for improvement. Cisco's Network Assessment services can help.

2. Update and Upgrade: Regularly update IOS software and hardware to patch vulnerabilities and improve performance. Use Cisco Software Central for updates.

3. Implement Network Segmentation: Enhance security and performance by segmenting your network into smaller, manageable parts. Cisco's Best Practices for Network Segmentation provides guidelines.

4. Adopt Automation: Simplify network management and reduce human errors by automating repetitive tasks with Cisco DNA Center.

5. Enhance Security: Strengthen your network's security posture by implementing Cisco's Zero Trust Security framework.

6. Optimize Performance: Use Cisco Application Centric Infrastructure (ACI) to enhance data center performance and flexibility.

7. Employee Training: Regularly train your team on the latest Cisco technologies and best practices. Explore Cisco Learning Network for resources.

8. Leverage Cloud Services: Integrate Cisco cloud solutions for scalability and efficiency. Cisco Cloud Solutions can guide your strategy.

9. Engage with Cisco Support: For complex issues, utilize Cisco Technical Support to resolve problems efficiently.

10. Stay Informed: Keep up with the latest Cisco technologies and industry trends by following the Cisco Blog.

Implementing these strategies will significantly improve your Cisco infrastructure, enhancing its performance, security, and manageability.

How to Display Cisco Skills on Your Resume

5. PowerShell

PowerShell is a powerful scripting language and command-line shell designed for task automation and configuration management, enabling Infrastructure Managers to automate repetitive tasks, manage systems, and access a wide range of administrative functions across diverse environments.

Why It's Important

PowerShell is crucial for an Infrastructure Manager because it enables efficient automation, configuration, and management of diverse IT environments, significantly enhancing operational productivity and ensuring consistent system settings across multiple platforms and devices.

How to Improve PowerShell Skills

Improving your PowerShell skills as an Infrastructure Manager involves mastering advanced scripting, automation techniques, and understanding the PowerShell ecosystem. Here are concise strategies:

1. Learn Advanced Scripting: Dive into advanced PowerShell scripting to automate complex tasks. The PowerShell Documentation is an essential resource.

2. Utilize PowerShell Modules: Leverage modules for Azure, SQL Server, and Active Directory. Explore available modules on the PowerShell Gallery.

3. Practice Desired State Configuration (DSC): Use DSC for configuration management to ensure your infrastructure components are correctly configured. The DSC Book is a great resource.

4. Explore PowerShell Core for Cross-Platform Management: With PowerShell 7 (Core), you can manage Windows, Linux, and macOS systems. Learn more about it on GitHub.

5. Stay Updated with PowerShell Blogs: Follow blogs like the PowerShell Team Blog for the latest updates and tips.

6. Join PowerShell Communities: Engage with communities on Reddit or Stack Overflow to share knowledge and solve challenges.

7. Automate with PowerShell Remoting: Use PowerShell Remoting to execute scripts on remote systems. This Microsoft Guide provides a comprehensive overview.

By focusing on these areas, you'll enhance your PowerShell capabilities, significantly benefiting your role as an Infrastructure Manager.

How to Display PowerShell Skills on Your Resume

6. Python

Python is a high-level, interpreted programming language known for its simplicity and versatility, widely used for automation, scripting, data analysis, and web development, making it a valuable tool for managing and automating IT infrastructure tasks.

Why It's Important

Python is important for an Infrastructure Manager because it provides a powerful, flexible, and readable scripting language for automating infrastructure management tasks, simplifying complex system operations, and integrating various IT systems and tools efficiently.

How to Improve Python Skills

Improving your Python skills, particularly from an Infrastructure Manager's perspective, involves focusing on automation, system management, and understanding cloud services. Here are concise steps to enhance your Python capabilities:

1. Learn Automation: Focus on automating routine tasks. Start with Python's official Automate the Boring Stuff.

2. Understand System Management: Delve into libraries like Fabric for application deployment and system administration tasks.

3. Master Cloud Services APIs: Get familiar with cloud providers' APIs (e.g., AWS Boto3 for AWS) to manage cloud resources efficiently.

4. Explore Infrastructure as Code (IaC): Tools like Terraform can be enhanced with Python to manage infrastructure.

5. Embrace DevOps Tools: Enhance your workflow with DevOps tools, integrating Python scripts when possible, e.g., Ansible.

6. Continuous Learning: Stay updated with the latest in Python and infrastructure management through platforms like Pluralsight and Coursera.

By focusing on these areas, you'll significantly improve your Python skills in an infrastructure management context.

How to Display Python Skills on Your Resume

7. Kubernetes

Kubernetes is an open-source platform designed to automate deploying, scaling, and operating application containers, allowing for efficient management of containerized applications across a cluster of servers, ensuring high availability, and enabling easy scaling and deployment processes.

Why It's Important

Kubernetes is crucial for an Infrastructure Manager as it automates the deployment, scaling, and management of containerized applications, ensuring efficient use of resources and enabling seamless application operations across various environments.

How to Improve Kubernetes Skills

Improving Kubernetes for an Infrastructure Manager involves enhancing performance, security, scalability, and cost-efficiency. Here are concise recommendations with external resources:

1. Optimize Cluster Performance: Use tools like Prometheus for monitoring and Vertical Pod Autoscaler or Horizontal Pod Autoscaler for dynamic resource allocation.

2. Enhance Security: Implement strong access controls with RBAC, regularly scan images for vulnerabilities using tools like Trivy, and isolate workloads using namespaces and network policies.

3. Ensure Efficient Resource Utilization: Use Kubernetes Cluster Autoscaler for auto-scaling cluster resources and KubeCost for monitoring and optimizing costs.

4. Upgrade and Patch Regularly: Follow best practices for upgrading your Kubernetes clusters and applications with minimal downtime. Reference the Kubernetes version and upgrade policies for guidance.

5. Implement Disaster Recovery and Data Management: Use tools like Velero for backup and recovery to enhance business continuity strategies.

6. Streamline CI/CD Pipelines: Incorporate GitOps tools like ArgoCD for managing cluster configurations and applications through git repositories.

7. Educate and Train Your Team: Ensure your team is knowledgeable about Kubernetes best practices and stays updated on new features and tools through resources like the Kubernetes Learning Path.

Focusing on these areas will help improve the efficiency, security, and manageability of Kubernetes environments for an Infrastructure Manager.

How to Display Kubernetes Skills on Your Resume

8. Docker

Docker is a platform that enables developers to package applications into containers—standardized executable components combining application source code with the operating system (OS) libraries and dependencies required to run that code in any environment. This simplifies and accelerates workflows by allowing Infrastructure Managers to deploy, scale, and manage applications more efficiently across different environments.

Why It's Important

Docker simplifies the deployment and management of applications by packaging them into containers. This ensures consistency across environments, improves resource utilization, and enables faster scaling and deployment, significantly reducing infrastructure complexity and costs.

How to Improve Docker Skills

Improving Docker for an Infrastructure Manager involves enhancing performance, security, and management. Here are concise strategies:

1. Optimize Images: Use minimal base images and multi-stage builds to reduce size and vulnerabilities. Docker Best Practices

2. Implement Security Scanning: Integrate tools like Trivy or Snyk to scan images for vulnerabilities.

3. Enable Resource Limits: Set CPU and memory limits in container configurations to improve system stability. Resource constraints

4. Logging and Monitoring: Use tools like Prometheus and Grafana for monitoring; ensure logs are centralized with solutions like ELK stack or Fluentd.

5. Implement CI/CD: Streamline deployments and updates with Continuous Integration and Continuous Deployment using Jenkins or GitLab CI/CD.

6. Use Orchestration Tools: Manage containers at scale with Kubernetes or Docker Swarm.

7. Secure Communication: Ensure secure network communications between containers using Docker Network Policies and TLS.

8. Regular Updates: Keep Docker, containers, and applications up-to-date to mitigate risks and improve performance. Docker Docs - Updates

9. Educate Teams: Provide training on Docker best practices and security to developers and operations teams.

10. Automate Where Possible: Use scripts and tools like Ansible for automating deployment, scaling, and management tasks.

By implementing these strategies, an Infrastructure Manager can significantly improve the efficiency, security, and manageability of Docker in their environment.

How to Display Docker Skills on Your Resume

9. SQL

SQL (Structured Query Language) is a standardized programming language used for managing and manipulating relational databases, enabling the creation, retrieval, update, and deletion of data.

Why It's Important

SQL is crucial for an Infrastructure Manager as it enables efficient management and querying of databases, ensuring data integrity, facilitating data-driven decision-making, and optimizing the performance and scalability of the organization's IT infrastructure.

How to Improve SQL Skills

Improving SQL performance involves optimizing both the queries and the database environment. Here's a concise guide tailored for an Infrastructure Manager:

1. Index Optimization: Create and maintain indexes to speed up data retrieval. Use Indexing Wisely.

2. Query Refinement: Write efficient queries by selecting only necessary columns and avoiding wildcards. SQL Query Optimization.

3. Database Normalization: Structure your database properly to reduce redundancy and improve data integrity. Normalization Guide.

4. Caching Strategies: Implement caching to reduce database load for frequently accessed data. Database Caching.

5. Partitioning Large Tables: Split large tables into smaller, manageable pieces. Table Partitioning.

6. Regular Maintenance: Perform routine maintenance tasks such as updates, backups, and database consistency checks. SQL Server Maintenance Tips.

7. Monitoring and Tuning: Use tools to monitor database performance and tune accordingly. Performance Tuning.

8. Hardware and Configuration: Ensure your server hardware and SQL Server configuration are optimized for your workload. Hardware Optimization.

By focusing on these areas, you can significantly improve SQL performance in your infrastructure.

How to Display SQL Skills on Your Resume

10. Linux

Linux is an open-source, Unix-like operating system kernel that forms the foundation for a wide range of operating systems (distributions) used in server, desktop, and embedded environments. It is highly regarded for its stability, security, and flexibility, making it a popular choice for infrastructure management, including cloud computing, networking, and system administration.

Why It's Important

Linux is crucial for an Infrastructure Manager because it offers a stable, secure, and cost-effective platform for running servers and applications, enabling efficient management of an organization's IT infrastructure.

How to Improve Linux Skills

Improving Linux, especially from an Infrastructure Manager's perspective, involves enhancing system performance, security, and manageability. Here are concise strategies:

1. Performance Tuning: Optimize Linux performance by adjusting kernel parameters, managing system resources effectively, and using performance monitoring tools. Consider tools like htop, iotop, and tuning utilities like tuned and sysctl. Red Hat Performance Tuning

2. Security Enhancement: Strengthen your Linux infrastructure by implementing regular system updates, using firewall management (e.g., firewalld or iptables), and deploying intrusion detection systems like Fail2Ban or Snort. Employ SELinux or AppArmor for mandatory access control. Linux Security Best Practices

3. Automation and Configuration Management: Utilize tools like Ansible, Puppet, or Chef to automate the deployment, configuration, and management of your Linux servers. This ensures consistency, reduces human error, and improves efficiency. Ansible Best Practices

4. Backup and Disaster Recovery: Implement a robust backup solution with tools like rsync, Bacula, or Amanda and plan for disaster recovery. Regularly test your backups and recovery procedures to ensure data integrity and availability. Backup on Linux

5. Monitoring and Alerting: Deploy monitoring solutions like Nagios, Zabbix, or Prometheus to track system health, performance metrics, and to receive alerts on anomalies or system failures. This proactive monitoring allows for quick response times to issues. Prometheus Monitoring

6. Documentation and Knowledge Sharing: Maintain comprehensive documentation of your infrastructure setup, configuration, and procedures. Utilize wikis or documentation tools like Confluence. Encourage team knowledge sharing to improve system management and troubleshooting skills. Confluence Documentation

7. Community Engagement and Training: Stay informed about the latest technologies and trends in Linux administration by engaging with the community through forums, mailing lists, and attending conferences. Offer training opportunities to your team to keep skills up-to-date. Linux Foundation Events

By focusing on these areas, you can significantly improve the performance, security, and manageability of your Linux infrastructure.

How to Display Linux Skills on Your Resume

11. Active Directory

Active Directory (AD) is a directory service developed by Microsoft for Windows domain networks. It provides centralized management of users, computers, and other resources within a network, enabling secure access control and authentication services.

Why It's Important

Active Directory (AD) is crucial for an Infrastructure Manager because it centralizes and streamlines the management of users, devices, and applications across the network, enhancing security and simplifying access control and policy enforcement.

How to Improve Active Directory Skills

Improving Active Directory (AD) involves enhancing security, performance, and manageability. Here are concise strategies for an Infrastructure Manager:

1. Implement Strong Password Policies: Enforce complex passwords and regular changes. Microsoft Guidelines

2. Regularly Update and Patch: Keep AD and Windows Server up-to-date to protect against vulnerabilities. Patch Management

3. Monitor and Audit Regularly: Use tools for real-time monitoring and auditing changes in AD. AD Auditing

4. Implement Least Privilege Access: Ensure users have the minimum necessary permissions. Access Control

5. Use Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Enhance security by requiring additional verification. MFA for AD

6. Backup and Disaster Recovery Plan: Regularly backup AD and have a recovery plan in place. AD Backup and Recovery

7. Clean Up and Maintain Active Directory: Regularly review and clean up outdated accounts and groups. AD Cleanup

8. Implement Group Policy Best Practices: Fine-tune policies for security and efficiency. Group Policy Best Practices

By focusing on these areas, an Infrastructure Manager can significantly improve the performance, security, and manageability of Active Directory.

How to Display Active Directory Skills on Your Resume

12. Ansible

Ansible is an open-source automation tool that enables Infrastructure Managers to automate application deployment, configuration management, and orchestration tasks across various environments, thereby simplifying complex operations and ensuring consistent, repeatable processes.

Why It's Important

Ansible is important for an Infrastructure Manager because it automates the provisioning, configuration, and management of diverse IT environments, ensuring consistency, efficiency, and scalability while reducing human error and operational costs.

How to Improve Ansible Skills

Improving Ansible for an Infrastructure Manager involves enhancing efficiency, scalability, security, and maintainability of Ansible playbooks and environments. Here are concise strategies:

1. Use Ansible Roles and Collections: Modularize playbooks using roles and collections for reusability and easier management.

2. Dynamic Inventory: Implement dynamic inventory to automatically adapt to changing infrastructure.

3. Ansible Vault: Secure sensitive data with Ansible Vault for encryption of passwords and secrets.

4. Code Review and Version Control: Use version control systems like Git and conduct code reviews to maintain playbook quality. Services like GitHub or GitLab are popular choices.

5. CI/CD Integration: Automate testing and deployment of Ansible playbooks through CI/CD pipelines using tools like Jenkins or GitLab CI/CD.

6. Linting and Testing: Implement linting with Ansible Lint and testing with Molecule to catch issues early.

7. Documentation: Maintain up-to-date documentation for playbooks and roles, utilizing tools like Ansible Doc for automated documentation.

8. Performance Optimization: Optimize playbooks for performance by following best practices, such as using async and poll, minimizing the use of gather_facts, and leveraging performance tuning settings.

9. Training and Community: Encourage team training and engagement with the Ansible community through forums and Ansible Fest for continuous learning and updates.

Focusing on these areas will significantly improve the efficiency, scalability, and security of Ansible in managing infrastructure.

How to Display Ansible Skills on Your Resume