SOC Analyst Resume Example & Writing Guide

You’re a key member of the cybersecurity team and may even run it. As a Security Operations Center (SOC) analyst, you not only investigate threats but help prepare the company in case of a breach.

It’s time to put your expertise to use in a new job. Standout SOC analyst resumes highlight not just your IT knowledge, but your ability to communicate to the team and spread awareness of the best practices in cybersecurity.

Expert resources such as the ones from Resume.io can help you achieve just that. Using our intuitive resume builder that includes AI suggestions for phrasing along with resume guides and resume examples for 350+ professions, you’ll be on your way to your next great job in no time. 

This SOC analyst resume guide includes a sample resume and covers the following topics:

• What does a SOC analyst do?
• Tips and hints for getting the most out of your SOC analyst resume
• The best format for a SOC analyst resume
• Writing each section of your resume (summary, work history, education, skills)
• Professional resume layout and design hints

What does a SOC analyst do?

Cyberthreats, including cyber-attacks, data threats, viruses, and malware, have the potential to cripple companies, or at least drive down revenue. The core of a SOC analyst job is minimizing that threat and responding to any issues that arise within the security stack. They monitor the stack to prevent attacks and analyze events once the threat has been mitigated. 

 SOC analysts find vulnerabilities and inform the management team, recommending solutions. They also install temporary fixes while the team makes a more permanent decision. SOC analysts prepare disaster plans for worst-case scenarios and educate a company on the safety practices that can help fend off attacks.

SOC analyst job market and outlook

If you’ve chosen cybersecurity as a career, you chose well. The statistics are sobering:

• Cyberattacks will cost an average of $4.2 million per breach in 2023.
• Businesses will lose $10.5 billion annually to cybercrime.
• Cyberattacks on healthcare organizations are expected to leap 50 percent.
• Security problems force 60 percent of businesses that have been attacked to shut down within a year of the breach.

The good news for you is a projected shortfall of 3.5 million security professionals worldwide. In fact, within the United States, the demand for information security analysts is expected to skyrocket by 35 percent in the coming decade. With demand comes higher salaries as well. The top earners in the field garner more than $150,000 a year, with an average reaching almost $100,000.

How to write a SOC analyst resume

Before you begin analyzing threats, you need an overview of the structure of the company’s IT systems. Likewise, before you jump into compiling your SOC analyst resume, you need a framework within which to proceed.

The following elements compose most resumes:

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

Choosing the best resume format for a SOC analyst

Most resumes are written using the reverse chronological format. Why? Because that’s what both recruiters and Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) expect. As an IT professional, you understand algorithms so you know that when you apply online that your first judge is a formula. Make life easy on yourself and cater to the ATS algorithm if possible.

If you pass the first test, your next goal is to allow recruiters to find the information they seek without having to hunt. They are accustomed to chronological resumes, so stick with that format unless you absolutely want to highlight your vast technical skills, are a career-changer, or have other extenuating career circumstances such as an employment gap.

Resume summary example

What’s your approach to cybersecurity? How do you communicate both with your operations team and with the company’s stakeholders? Can you describe your biggest contribution to your most recent position? At least one of these answers will form the backbone of the summary of your SOC analyst resume.

The summary is your pitch for an interview. It is here that you tell the recruiter how you will help solve the company’s security problems and what you have already done that proves you’re up to the challenge.

Employment history sample

Your summary offers a high-level take on your value as a security employee, but the employment history section of your SOC resume delves deeper into what you have achieved for your previous and current employer. Data and details make all the difference here.

Take advantage of every bulleted item to describe your security successes using strong action words. Steer clear of wasted verbiage such as “responsible for” or “tasked with” and get right down to what you did and how it saved your employer millions of dollars. Use the most space for your most recent position where you can show off your highest-level accomplishments.

Avoid using industry jargon unless you are sure the terms have a common meaning that will not be misunderstood.

CV skills example

Depending on the number and level of your technical knowledge, you may consider expanding the skills section of your SOC analyst resume, but balance the desire to list all of your skills with the need to be concise and stick to the abilities your prospective employer finds most desirable.

Of course, SOC analysts need expertise in networking, coding, database languages, operating systems, vulnerability testing, firewall management, and best practices. The key to distinguishing yourself may lie in your soft skills, such as your interpersonal or critical-thinking skills. Don’t shortchange your excellent communication, organization, or flexibility. 

Resume education example

While not an absolute necessity, the vast majority of employers seek at least a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a similar field. Within the education section of your SOC analyst resume, you will detail this and all your other academic achievements, including professional certificates.

In cybersecurity, your certifications and training may weigh more heavily than your college degree, so consider adding a separate section if you have completed more than a couple. 

Resume layout and design

Great code is often defined as elegant. Strive for this description as you create the look of your SOC analyst resume. Elegance requires clean lines, simplicity, and an awareness of the image you want to project. Aim for professional, alert, and detail-oriented.

The following tips will help you get there:

• Stick with easy-to-read fonts and sizes (don’t go smaller than 11 point).
• Maintain 1-inch margins all around.
• Leave your text ragged right, like this guide – justifying the type makes it difficult to read and creates awkward spacing.
• Create an eye-catching header that highlights your contact information, but go easy on the color.
• Use expertly-designed resume templates to get your resume into the hands of recruiters faster.

Key takeaways for a SOC analyst resume

1. SOC analysts are the first responders of the cybersecurity world.
2. As cyberattacks mount, so, too, does the need for qualified SOC analysts, who can earn upwards of $100,000 a year.
3. Get into detail in your employment history section as you describe your professional achievements and show your prospective employer what you can do.
4. Highlight your certifications and training classes as proof you have the expertise to protect the company.
5. Take advantage of tools such as online resume builders and templates to speed your path to new employment.