Ansible on Resume

Should You List Ansible on Resume

Ansible is a popular open-source software provisioning, configuration management, and application-deployment tool written in Python. As such, it's a valuable skill for system administrators, DevOps engineers, and IT professionals who work with automation, infrastructure as code, and continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD) pipelines.

In the US, listing technical skills like Ansible on your resume is commonplace and expected in the tech industry. In many European countries, especially those where soft skills are emphasized, listing technical skills may not be as prevalent but can still add value to your application. Regardless of region, if you have experience with Ansible, including it on your resume demonstrates your ability to automate and manage infrastructure at scale.

Why to List Ansible on Resume

• Automation: Ansible allows you to automate the configuration and management of your IT infrastructure. This saves time and reduces human error, which is especially important in large-scale environments.
• Infrastructure as Code (IaC): Ansible treats infrastructure like code, making it easier to version control, test, and deploy changes. This makes infrastructure more reliable and consistent over time.
• CI/CD Pipelines: Ansible can be integrated with CI/CD tools such as Jenkins, Travis CI, and CircleCI to automate the deployment of applications. This speeds up the development lifecycle and ensures consistency across different environments.

Where to List Ansible on Resume

Skills Section:

• List Ansible under your technical skills section. This allows recruiters to quickly identify your proficiency with this tool.

Work Experience Section:

• If you have used Ansible in a past role, describe the specific tasks and projects where you leveraged this skill.

Examples of How to List Ansible on Resume

Example 1 - Skills Section

Ansible

• Automated configuration management for Linux servers using Ansible playbooks
• Implemented CI/CD pipelines with Jenkins and Ansible for application deployments
• Utilized Ansible to manage infrastructure as code (IaC)

Example 2 - Work Experience Section

DevOps Engineer, Company X, Date - Present

Responsibilities:

• Managed the infrastructure of our cloud environment using Ansible and Terraform for IaC.
• Implemented CI/CD pipelines with Jenkins and Ansible to automate application deployments.
• Automated configuration management tasks for our Linux servers using Ansible playbooks, reducing manual error and improving efficiency.

What to Avoid While Listing Ansible on Resume

• Vague Descriptions: Instead of saying "Experienced with Ansible," provide specific examples of tasks or projects you've completed using this tool.
• Overemphasis: If you have a strong background in multiple tools, avoid overemphasizing Ansible to the point where it seems like your only skill.
• Inaccurate Proficiency Levels: Be honest about your level of expertise with Ansible. Avoid listing advanced features or tasks if you're not comfortable executing them.

How to List Continuous Integration/continuous Deployment (ci/cd) with Ansible on Resume

Listing CI/CD with Ansible on a resume requires a strategic approach that highlights your expertise and experience in this area. Here are some best practices:

1. Highlight Your Expertise

• Mention your proficiency in using Ansible for CI/CD pipelines. Emphasize how this tool automates the deployment process, ensuring smooth delivery of applications.
• Detail any custom Ansible modules or playbooks you've developed for CI/CD workflows.

2. Quantify Your Achievements

• Provide specific numbers (e.g., reduction in deployment time by X%, number of successful deployments, etc.) to demonstrate the impact of your CI/CD with Ansible work.
• Showcase any projects where you reduced downtime or increased release velocity using Ansible for CI/CD.

3. Emphasize Relevant Tools and Technologies

• List other tools and technologies (e.g., Jenkins, GitLab CI/CD, Docker) that you've used in conjunction with Ansible for a more robust CI/CD process.
• Highlight your experience with DevOps practices like infrastructure as code (IaC), continuous testing, and version control.

4. Use Action Verbs

• Use action verbs to describe your roles and responsibilities in implementing CI/CD solutions using Ansible. Examples include "automated," "streamlined," "orchestrated," and "optimized."
• Ensure that the language used is clear, concise, and focused on results.

Example 1: Continuous Integration/continuous Deployment (ci/cd) with Ansible on Ansible Resume

• Developed and implemented Ansible playbooks for continuous integration, deployment, and testing in a Jenkins pipeline.
• Reduced deployment time by 40% through the optimization of CI/CD workflows using Ansible modules and custom scripts.
• Collaborated with development teams to ensure that infrastructure changes were continuously deployed using Ansible, resulting in faster release cycles and reduced downtime.

Example 2: Continuous Integration/continuous Deployment (ci/cd) with Ansible in Ansible Context

• Led the migration of a monolithic application to microservices architecture, utilizing Ansible for infrastructure provisioning and CI/CD automation.
• Developed custom Ansible modules to manage Kubernetes clusters during the deployment process, improving scalability and maintainability.
• Maintained documentation on CI/CD workflows using Ansible, ensuring that new team members could quickly understand and contribute to the project.

How to List Ansible Module Development on Resume

Listing your experience in Ansible Module Development on your resume requires a focus on showcasing your technical skills and project accomplishments related to this subcategory. Here are some best practices:

1. Highlight the Use of Ansible Modules

• Detail specific modules you have developed or contributed to: Mention the name, purpose, and functionality of each module. For example, "Developed an Ansible module for managing Docker containers, enhancing the 'docker' collection."

2. Describe Problem Solving and Automation Skills

• Emphasize problem solving through automation: Explain how your modules helped solve complex problems in a repeatable and efficient manner. For example, "Automated server provisioning for a large-scale application deployment using custom-built Ansible modules."

3. Mention Your Proficiency with YAML and Python

• Showcase language proficiency: Since most Ansible modules are written in either YAML or Python, be sure to highlight your expertise in these languages. For example, "Proficient in writing Ansible modules using both YAML and Python."

4. Discuss Testing and Documentation Practices

• Emphasize testing and documentation: Mention any unit testing or integration testing practices you follow when developing Ansible modules, as well as the importance of clear and concise documentation for each module. For example, "Adopted test-driven development (TDD) methodology while creating Ansible modules, ensuring robustness and reliability."

Example 1: Ansible Module Development on Ansible Resume

Ansible Module Development

• Developed custom Ansible modules for managing Kubernetes clusters (K8s) using the 'k8s' collection.
• Automated continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD) pipeline for a microservices-based application, using custom-built modules for each stage of the pipeline.
• Contributed to the Ansible community by submitting my K8s module as part of the 'k8s' collection in the Ansible Galaxy repository.

Example 2: Ansible Module Development in Ansible Context

Ansible Module Development (Ansible Context)

• Created an Ansible module for configuring Nginx servers, improving the efficiency of web server management in our infrastructure.
• Enhanced an existing Ansible role for database provisioning by developing a new module to handle PostgreSQL user management.
• Collaborated with the DevOps team to improve the overall performance and reliability of our Ansible playbooks, resulting in smoother deployments and reduced downtime.

How to List Role Management on Resume

• Highlight Your Expertise: Start by stating your proficiency in Ansible Role Management. Mention the version you've worked with and any custom roles or modules you've created. For example:

• Proficient in Ansible Role Management (version 2.x). Developed and maintained custom roles for infrastructure provisioning.

• Specify Use Cases: Describe the context in which you've used role management with Ansible. This could include tasks like configuration management, application deployment, or system maintenance. For example:

• Leveraged Ansible Role Management to automate the deployment of a web application across multiple servers.

• Detail Task Automation: Explain how you've used role management to automate repetitive tasks using Ansible. This could include tasks like user account creation, software installation, or file configuration. For example:

• Automated the process of creating and managing Linux user accounts across a fleet of servers using an Ansible role.

• Mention Scalability: Emphasize the scalability of your solutions when using role management in Ansible. If you've used roles to manage large-scale infrastructure, make sure to mention it. For example:

• Demonstrated ability to scale configuration management using Ansible Role Management across a network of 500 servers.

• Show Problem-Solving Skills: Describe situations where you've had to troubleshoot issues related to role management in Ansible. Explain the steps you took to diagnose and resolve these problems, highlighting your analytical skills and adaptability. For example:

• Identified and resolved a complex issue with an Ansible role responsible for application deployment, improving the reliability of the automation process.

Example 1: Role Management on Ansible Resume

Infrastructure Provisioning

• Proficient in Ansible Role Management (version 2.x) for infrastructure provisioning tasks.
• Developed custom roles for managing network devices and database servers.
• Automated the deployment of applications across multiple servers using roles and playbooks.

Example 2: Role Management in Ansible Context

System Maintenance and Configuration Management

• Leveraged Ansible Role Management to automate system maintenance tasks such as software updates, package installation, and service configuration.
• Created custom roles for managing Linux systems, including user account creation and file management.
• Scaled configuration management using roles and playbooks, improving the efficiency of infrastructure maintenance.

How to List Ansible Tower (awx) on Resume

Best Practices:

• Highlight Expertise: Clearly state your proficiency in Ansible Tower (AWX). Mention the version of AWX you've worked with, if applicable. For example:

  • Proficient in Red Hat Ansible Tower (AWX) 3.x and its integration with Ansible Playbooks for automation and configuration management.

• Detail Work Experience: Describe specific projects or tasks where you've utilized AWX. Emphasize the results or benefits achieved:

  • Leveraged Ansible Tower (AWX) to automate and streamline IT operations, reducing deployment time by 40% for a large-scale application.

• Skillful Configuration: Mention any complex configurations you've done with AWX, such as setting up jobs, projects, or playbooks:

  • Configured intricate workflows using Ansible Tower (AWX), including job templates, project scopes, and dynamic inventory management.

• Troubleshooting Expertise: If you've faced any issues while working with AWX and successfully resolved them, make sure to include this in your resume:

  • Resolved a critical error during an Ansible Tower (AWX) deployment by diagnosing the issue using logs and applying relevant patches.

Example 1: Ansible Tower (awx) on Ansible Resume

Skills: Ansible, Ansible Tower (AWX), Python, Jenkins

Work Experience:

• DevOps Engineer, ABC Corporation, XYZ City, June 2018 – Present - Utilized Ansible Tower (AWX) to manage and automate various IT operations. - Reduced deployment time by 40% for a large-scale application using AWX. - Configured intricate workflows including job templates, project scopes, and dynamic inventory management.

Example 2: Ansible Tower (awx) in Ansible Context

Skills: Ansible, Ansible Tower (AWX), Python, Docker, Kubernetes

Project Experience:

• Project A - Automated Deployment System, Personal Project, March 2019 – April 2020 - Developed an automated deployment system using Ansible Playbooks and Ansible Tower (AWX) for efficient configuration management. - Resolved critical errors during deployment by diagnosing issues in logs and applying relevant patches. - Improved the system's performance by optimizing playbook execution using AWX job templates.

How to List Playbook Development on Resume

Best Practices:

• Highlight your proficiency with Ansible: Mention your expertise in using Ansible for playbook development, focusing on the tasks you can perform, such as automating deployment, configuration management, and application delivery.

  • Example: "Proficient in developing Ansible playbooks for efficient automation of deployment, configuration management, and application delivery."

• Detail your playbook structure: Elaborate on the organization of your playbooks, including the use of roles, tasks, handlers, and templates. Discuss any best practices you follow to ensure maintainability and scalability.

  • Example: "Organize Ansible playbooks into reusable roles, employing modular task structures for maintainability and scaling."

• Showcase your problem-solving skills: Describe scenarios where you have developed creative playbook solutions to complex problems within your organization or projects. Emphasize the impact of these solutions on streamlining processes and reducing errors.

  • Example: "Developed an Ansible playbook that automated the deployment of a mission-critical application, significantly reducing downtime and improving efficiency."

• Mention any specific modules or plugins used: Highlight your knowledge of specific Ansible modules and plugins, such as gather_facts, debug, become, and set_fact. Discuss how you've utilized them to enhance the functionality of your playbooks.

  • Example: "Leveraged Ansible's built-in modules, including become and set_fact, to ensure secure access and dynamic task execution in my playbooks."

• Emphasize collaborative experience: If applicable, mention any collaboration with other team members on shared playbook projects or contributions to open-source Ansible projects. Highlight your ability to work effectively within a team.

  • Example: "Collaborated with cross-functional teams to develop, test, and maintain Ansible playbooks for organizational initiatives, fostering effective communication and teamwork."

Example 1: Playbook Development on Ansible Resume

Playbook Development Engineer, XYZ Corporation

• Proficient in developing Ansible playbooks for efficient automation of deployment, configuration management, and application delivery.
• Organize Ansible playbooks into reusable roles, employing modular task structures for maintainability and scaling.
• Leveraged Ansible's built-in modules, including become and set_fact, to ensure secure access and dynamic task execution in my playbooks.
• Developed an Ansible playbook that automated the deployment of a mission-critical application, significantly reducing downtime and improving efficiency.
• Collaborated with cross-functional teams to develop, test, and maintain Ansible playbooks for organizational initiatives, fostering effective communication and teamwork.

Example 2: Playbook Development in Ansible Context

Senior DevOps Engineer, ABC Company

• Designed and developed complex Ansible playbooks to automate deployment, configuration management, and application delivery within the organization.
• Utilized roles, tasks, handlers, and templates to create modular and scalable playbook structures.
• Employed best practices for organization, readability, and maintainability of Ansible playbooks.
• Debugged and optimized existing playbooks to improve performance and reduce errors.
• Collaborated with team members on shared playbook projects and contributed to open-source Ansible repositories.