Strong communication skills are also essential, as help desk professionals must effectively relay solutions to technical and non-technical users. This career path is ideal for methodical problem-solvers with an aptitude for learning and quickly adapting new skills. Patience, resourcefulness and a desire to help others are virtues at the IT help desk. If you enjoy solving problems, helping others, and working with technology, you might be interested in becoming a help desk technician.
What skills are essential for a help desk specialist?
Employment of help desk technicians will increase by 5% from 2022 to 2032, faster than the 3% average for all occupations. Demand for help desk technicians will rise as organizations implement the latest computer systems to reduce long-term costs and foster a competitive advantage. Many IT pros begin their career as help desk technicians because of the low experience and education requirements.
Overcoming common challenges
- A help desk technician’s resume will include all relevant project and work experiences as well as any education you’ve completed and certifications you’ve received that make them qualified for a role.
- Demand for help desk technicians will rise as organizations implement the latest computer systems to reduce long-term costs and foster a competitive advantage.
- Help desk specialist salaries will vary by experience, industry, education, location, and organization size.
- And while you’ll certainly need a foundation of technical knowledge to get started in a help desk role, these positions can also offer opportunities to develop your technical expertise.
- SNHU provides affordable online technology degrees respected by employers and universities nationwide.
In contrast, someone who is technically proficient but without experience in customer service should focus on building their communication skills. You can work on both simultaneously with a foundational online course like Google’s Technical Support Fundamentals. Sometimes, users might not be technically competent, making it difficult to diagnose issues or explain solutions.
This expansive reach ensures accessibility and convenience for learners worldwide. E) Providing training and guidance to users on using IT systems and software. Start applying for help desk jobs that fit your skills and interests. Use job sites, company websites, and even staffing agencies to find openings. “Take advantage of your relationship with other departments in the IT sphere,” she urges.
Step 8: Explore Career Path of Help Desk Support
Get the Helpdesk PDF now and learn how to optimize workflows and improve customer satisfaction. Adams explains that interdepartmental communication happens all the time in IT, particularly at companies where IT works together as a well-oiled machine. That cross pollination of sorts can be a ladder for you as you look to move forward in your career.
- That\’s why our training program will also help you polish your customer service and public speaking skills.
- Learn to apply AI in your field productively and responsibly by enrolling in Google’s IT Support Professional Certificate program.
- Get the Helpdesk PDF now and learn how to optimize workflows and improve customer satisfaction.
- Some specialists work from home, especially if they’re helping people in different parts of the world.
- The job allows you to get your foot in the door for higher positions, such as an IT manager, a network administrator or an IT security specialist.
Move up to a senior or team leader role
They assist users in person, over the phone, or through remote access tools to ensure smooth IT operations. A Helpdesk Technician is an IT professional who provides technical support to End-Users within an organisation. Bureau of Labor Statistics the median annual wage for computer user support specialists, including help desk technicians, was $57,910 in May 2021.
Wouldn’t it be great to base your career path on the computers, gadgets and technologies that already hold your interest? The average salary range for a Help Desk Support is from $62,374 to $76,684. The salary will change depending on your location, job level, experience, education, and skills.
How much does a Help Desk Support make?
They rely on the services of computer support specialists to troubleshoot and resolve their IT problems. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) lists the median annual pay for computer support specialists in 2020 as $55,510. Professionals who are just starting out are often the first point of contact between a user and an IT department. Prior experience troubleshooting minor and major problems in computer hardware, software, and operating systems is also required, as that’s almost 80% of the job. Help desk technicians are computer support specialists who assist customers and employees struggling with computer problems via email, online chat, voice call, or in person. In the US, help desk technicians earn a base salary of $49,799 and $8,008 in additional pay per year on average 3.
Helpdesk Technicians are the frontline heroes who assist users with their tech issues, ensuring smooth and efficient operations. A help desk technician’s resume will include all relevant project and work experiences as well as any education you’ve completed and certifications you’ve received that make them qualified for a role. They fix problems with internet connections, keep an eye on how the network is performing, and set up network equipment. Level 1 specialists are the first people you talk to when you have a tech problem. They help with simple stuff like resetting passwords, installing software, and basic hardware fixes. If they can’t fix the problem, they pass it on to someone with more technical skills.
You’ll need to be able to learn how to use various software platforms that help you assist internal and external customers.Prior experience with similar software will help. However, the company that you work for should provide training for the type of software that they use. As a skilled help desk technician, you may often be called to offer technical support or troubleshoot complex software, hardware, and operating system faults. However, every help desk technician must have comprehensive knowledge of computer operating systems, hardware, and software.
Becoming a Skilled Help Desk Technician
April Osman, owner of IT at Home, says her time working in a help desk role provided opportunities to grow in her career. One of the drivers of that growth came from the knowledge contained in the system guiding her IT department. Daniel Greenspan is the founder and Editor-in-chief of ITCareerFinder. To improve your job prospects as a help desk technician, bolster your skill set with topics like cloud engineering and cybersecurity, two of the most sought-after IT disciplines.
To be a successful help desk technician, you need to have a combination of technical and soft skills. Technical skills include knowledge of operating systems, applications, networks, security, and troubleshooting tools. You should be able to diagnose and resolve common issues, such as password resets, software updates, virus removal, or hardware malfunctions. Soft skills include communication, customer service, teamwork, and problem-solving. You should be able to communicate clearly and politely with users, understand their needs and expectations, and provide effective solutions. You should also be able to work well with other technicians, managers, and vendors, and handle stress and pressure.
And the best part is that you don’t necessarily need a college education to pursue a career in this field. However, you’ll need certifications like CompTIA A+ or Network+ to be eligible for the role in almost any company. Tailoring learning experiences further, professionals can maximise value with customisable Course Bundles of TKA. Are you interested in a career that combines technology and helping others?
They help solve problems specific to the software, train users, and work with software makers to fix any bugs. This additional perspective can be incredibly helpful for narrowing down what would be a wide-open IT career path. And while you’ll certainly need a foundation of technical knowledge to get started in a help desk role, these positions can also offer opportunities to develop your technical expertise. Throughout the course of a business day, many computer users run into technical and non-technical difficulties.
As a help desk technician, it is easy to get swamped by customer requests. The only solution is to manage a task prioritization system that categorizes issues according to urgency and impact. Deal with the critical issues first, then move your attention towards the less urgent ones. On that note, here are a few common challenges all help desk technicians face how do i become a help desk and how you can overcome them. For example, your job often includes helping the older members of your customer base regain their passwords.
Other tasks include maintaining system performance by performing system monitoring and analysis. Enhance your problem-solving skills by learning how to tackle common and unique technical issues effectively. Developing troubleshooting guides or finding permanent fixes for software bugs are great ways to improve.
