Becoming an IT support specialist opens up opportunities in a wide range of industries, and gives you the potential to SysAdmin / IT Support Specialist job work remotely and flexibly. IT Support Specialists play a critical role in maintaining smooth business operations. Automation is becoming increasingly important in IT support for improving efficiency and speed of service.
How is the job outlook for IT Support Specialists?
- Similar to IT support specialists, network support specialists deal with network-related tasks such as troubleshooting, maintaining network security, and analyzing network issues.
- This gives insight into the candidate’s problem-solving skills and their approach to troubleshooting.
- Candidates with 3 to 5 years of experience are usually considered for more advanced Support Specialist roles.
- Additionally, they should be detail-oriented and have excellent communication skills as they will need to explain technical issues to non-technical staff.
- According to ZipRecruiter, the average annual salary for a senior technical support specialist is $65,086.
- Cisco Networking is crucial for an IT Support Specialist because it provides the foundational knowledge and skills needed to design, implement, maintain, and troubleshoot network infrastructures.
IT Support Specialists typically work in an office environment, but the role may also involve working in server rooms or providing remote support from home or another location. The work typically involves interacting with users both in-person and via remote communications such as phone, email, or chat systems. Flexibility is often required as after-hours or on-call support might be needed depending on the organization’s needs. The job outlook for IT Support Specialists is generally positive due to the increasing reliance on computer systems and network technology in most sectors.
Troubleshooting Hardware and Software Issues
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects the employment of computer support specialists to grow about as fast as average from 2021 to 2031. Job prospects are likely to be favorable for those with robust technical skills and relevant qualifications. While some organizations will offer on-the-job training, many value an IT support specialist with some basic Coding experience. Many companies feel having experience supports improved practical knowledge. One option for gaining experience is an internship, which allows you to develop your professional network.
- The career outlook for an IT Support Specialist is very promising in the Information Technology industry over the next 5 years.
- Also known as technical support engineers, IT support specialists provide organizations with information technology support to optimize operational efficiency.
- When a particular user within the organization has a computer problem, you may assist them and get the situation back on track.
- During your interviews, hiring managers may ask you how you would respond to different types of technical issues and on-the-job crises.
- Recruiters will be looking closely at your job application to see evidence of these soft skills.
- This role also includes problem-solving skills needed to identify and resolve hardware and software issues.
Empower your career
The ideal candidate will have a mix of technical and customer service skills, and be passionate about technology and helping people. A tech support specialist performs a range of tasks, from installing software to setting up computer workspaces, and solves technical issues that arise on a daily basis. Having an additional, foundational IT certification such as CompTIA Tech+ (formerly ITF+) will add weight to your resume and put you on the fast track to an IT support career. This certification is especially helpful to those who are brand new to IT and want to ensure a career in information technology is right for them. Tech+ also helps you attain technical knowledge and lays the perfect foundation for CompTIA A+, although it is not a prerequisite. They provide technical assistance, answer queries, and ensure the customer’s experience is as seamless and satisfactory as possible.