10 signs you may not be cut out for a support tech job

The role of support tech is ideal for some people—but it might not be the best choice for others. This list will help you determine which camp you fall in. 

So you want to be a computer support technician. Or perhaps you are one already, but you can't decide whether you're just having a bad week or you're really not cut out for the job. What does it take to be an effective support tech? Is this a career at which you can excel and be happy? The ability to do well in any job and to enjoy it depends to a certain extent upon our personalities, skills, and attitudes. But how can you tell if being a support tech is right for you? Consider the following indications that you might be on the wrong track. If they don't apply to you, the list of resources at the end of the article can help you down this career path.

Check out this free ebook for a look at other IT job roles to help you decide if they're a good fit for you.

1: You don't respect other techs

Start by examining your attitude toward support techs. When you have to call your ISP or other service provider, do you treat the techs with respect or do you assume they're all idiots reading flip charts? If you don't respect the role of the support tech, regardless of how well a particular tech performs, you probably shouldn't be one, as you won't value yourself or what you do.

SEE: Telephone interview cheat sheet: Support technician (Tech Pro Research)

2: You view the job only as a stepping stone

How do you see the job as support tech? Is it an end in itself or merely a stepping stone to something "better"? Unfortunately, in many organizations, the support tech job is regarded as the lowest rung of the IT ladder, an entry-level position to be filled by people with little or no proven experience who will be promoted out of the spot at the earliest opportunity.

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5 SKILLS AN IT TECHNICIAN SHOULD HAVE

The role of IT technician has evolved a lot over the years, and the work involved in the position is no longer just about troubleshooting. Technicians are expected to be versatile enough that they can not only handle internal and external help tickets, but help companies develop their best practices, policies, and procedures regarding computer systems and cybersecurity. The question of  “what does an IT technician do?” has shifted to “what should an IT technician be capable of doing?”

We’re here with this blog to answer the latter. If you are thinking of tackling the demanding (and in-demand) role of IT technician, read on to find out what five skills you should be proficient in.

1. Professional Communication

Whether written or oral, IT technicians need to have great communication skills. This soft skill is one of the hardest to find in technically heavy positions in the IT industry. Like business analysts who identify and correct misalignments between IT and business units within a company, technicians are responsible for communicating their problem-solving process to both technical and non-technical departments.

Being technically skilled is obviously very important as a technician, but if your communication skills aren’t strong, you’re going to run into some trouble if you can’t explain in a report to your boss how you got the job done or why you believe company best practices need an update.

2. Wide Knowledge of Technology

Technician roles may have become more complex in recent years, but that doesn’t mean the core responsibilities of the job have changed. IT technicians are expected to have a broad base of knowledge regarding the specs of hardware and software. If you are going to install and maintain computer systems at a company and troubleshoot technical problems for customers, you’re going to need an insider’s perspective of various technology.

Companies are finding that nearly every part of their business operations are becoming driven by technology. This pervasiveness is why IT technicians are essential for making digital transformation as smooth as possible.

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Learn About Being a Computer Technician

Computer technicians, or computer support technicians, play an essential role in keeping computer systems running by resolving users’ hardware and software concerns. As a computer technician, you’ll be responsible for troubleshooting, diagnosing and solving a variety of technical issues. Additional responsibilities include:

Provide technical assistance and resolution as necessary.
Set up new computer systems and perform routine maintenance.
Ensure that Internet security software is updated and running properly.
Maintain computer equipment and software to ensure secure and efficient operations.
Repair computer hardware and servers as required.
Test and implement new software programs for the company.

Typical Salary
Common salary in US: $15.32 hourly
Typical salaries range from $8.95 – $26.23 hourly

Common Skills and Requirements
Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science or related field
3+ years’ experience as a Computer Technician or Desktop Support Specialist
Current CompTIA A+ certification
Strong understanding of Microsoft and Apple operating systems
Able to read and understand technical manuals
Ability to multitask and prioritize projects effectively

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What Does an IT Support Technician Do?

As an information technology support technician, you'll assist computer users with setup, maintenance, troubleshooting and problems they have with their computers. You'll often provide both in-person technical support and assist customers remotely, generally via phone or e-mail. You might offer support services exclusively for a certain technological product, such as a software program or particular hardware peripheral, or help users with any computer-related problem. Viruses, loss of data, non-working software programs, troublesome hardware setup and faulty Internet connections are potential issues you might encounter in an IT support technician job.

As an IT support technician, you must have excellent communication and problem-solving skills. Much of your typical workday could consist of discussing computer problems and operations with people who may know much less about technology than you do. You'll need to be able to translate complex technical issues into simple terms. If you provide telephone support, you must be able to understand end users' descriptions of their computer problems in order to correctly troubleshoot them. You'll need to stay calm and patient when dealing with panicked or irate computer users.

Where Will I Work?

To some extent, your exact working environment may dictate your job title and duties. You may work as a help desk technician for a computer manufacturer or software company, providing support services to consumers of a specific product. You may also offer support and technical assistance to employees or a firm or corporation in government, private or public sectors. Depending on the job and company, you may work in an office or be required to travel to customer businesses or residences to provide on-site service.

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