A profession in IT does not need a computer science degree. However, as a help desk or technical support expert, you might be on the front lines of IT. Here’s how to do it.

It is not rocket science to understand information technology (IT). 

Okay, that may be true, but you don’t need a computer science degree to work in IT. Help desk or technical support personnel are on the front lines of IT. If you want to use a military comparison, these are the individuals in the trenches. When it comes to computer problems, they’re your first line of protection. And, if you have a strong heart and a bright intellect, you may be able to work alongside them.

Career Projection in Technical Support

The 30 percent of respondents indicated they expect to employ for this expertise in the next 12 months, according to Computerworld’s 2015 Forecast poll. A computer support specialist’s median pay, according to US News, is $60,180. So keep cool; you’ll most likely begin with a budget of $30,000 or less.

Based on those stats, IT help desk or tech support occupations seem to be a solid career option in IT. But, isn’t it true that there will be more job chances and the compensation will be better?

The growth estimates aren’t to be trusted, according to another Computerworld report, “IT employment will expand 22 percent through 2020, says the US.” Rochester Institute of Technology Public Policy Professor Ron Hira remarked in the article, “Volatile jobs are prone to poor forecasting, and it’s apparent that employment levels in computer occupations are challenging to predict.”

It’s the Only Way To Live

Think about it. Computers are on all the time, and tech support employees often work in shifts and are expected to be available at all times. You also tend to hear about the difficulties, and when you meet someone, they are usually in a bad mood. It may be a thankless profession at times, and you may be held responsible for events beyond your control.

Keep in mind that technology is constantly developing and growing. So you’ll need to stay up as well. While some progressive firms provide time and money for further training, many others want you to study on your own time and your budget. When you combine it with your shift work an on-call schedule, it might seem more like a lifestyle than a job.

Make sure it’s a lifestyle you want and can sustain. Make sure your spouse or other influential individuals in your life will be able to deal with it as well. If you’re up for it, keep reading to learn how to break into the field.

Understand What You’re Doing

You’ll need some computer knowledge and skills, but not necessarily a college diploma.

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) requires that as a minimum requirement. That’s a comprehensive proposal. You can enter into the profession with only a few computer classes, but like with other jobs, the more you know, the greater your chances of being hired are.

A bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field would be your best shot for moving up the employment ladder. These require less time and money, so this is a smart option if you’re short on time or money. Even so, a college diploma or associate’s degree will go you a long way.

Industry certification may be of interest to those with a few years of job experience and some self-taught computer abilities.

The CompTIA A+ certification is, without a doubt, the most excellent place to begin. You’ll get a strong foundation in technology as well as customer service. You may then pursue further CompTIA certifications or pursue vendor-specific certification programs. For example, certification programs from Microsoft, Cisco, Apple, and Linux are highly respected. Furthermore, they are more current than a college or university program.

A combination of formal education and certification makes up the whole package. It’s not required, but it’s also not prohibited. Most individuals in tech support don’t start that well but gradually improve with time.

Showcase Your Skills

You’ve got your graduation, degree, and certifications; all the evidence that you’ve got the fundamentals down pat, and thousands of other individuals feel the same way. So what can you do to increase your chances of getting the interview? Begin by visiting some of the most fabulous job-searching websites.

Plain But A Professional CV

You’re looking for a career that demands you to know the facts and communicate them. Anything else than a basic professional CV is unlikely to help you. It might even be harmful to you. The purpose of any tech help is to make things as easy as possible. So let your words, not beautiful fonts, images, or colors, do the talking.

Emphasize Your Transferable Skills

What is a transferable skill?

Consider this scenario: you’ve never worked in tech support before, but you’ve previously worked at an oil change shop. There, you conducted inspections, resolved minor mechanical issues, documented your work, interacted with customers, and perhaps made some sales. All of it took you roughly 30 minutes.

Inspection, problem-solving, job tracking, interpersonal, and sales abilities are all required in the help desk, as you can see. You can get such talents in a variety of occupations. These are the soft skills that will make a significant difference in your ability to acquire the job and perform it successfully. On the other hand, you completed it in 30 minutes or less, and you did it well. You may now demonstrate your ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines. That will make you stand out.

Examine your past experiences in depth. Find the things you didn’t know you were already doing that the job required. Those items will demonstrate that you have more to offer than a book study.

It’s Not About You

To assist others, you must be friendly, not personal. Take as much of your data as you can offline. Employers will look into such details about you. They’re going to look you up on the internet. They may determine you’re not someone they want to be affiliated with their firm if you engage in Twitter battles or trolling in comments. They want you to be their public face.

It’s an Audition, Not an Interview

You know they’ve reviewed your cover letter and résumé, as well as doing some web research on you. They’ve determined if you’re the right person for the job 95% of the time. So please don’t walk in trying to impress them by regurgitating what they already know about you.

Look up several interview questions; some websites list the most prevalent ones. Don’t merely remember the answers that those websites propose. Create a response unique to you. Make it even more enjoyable by inviting your friends to ask you a series of random questions or have a video of yourself doing it. Keep an eye out for it.

Look up other sorts of interviews as well. The answers to the questions aren’t always as essential as how you react to the circumstance. Perhaps they will make you wait and engage you in conversation with the receptionist. That’s a fantastic approach to examine how you interact with someone who doesn’t have control over your destiny. Do you approach them with the same deference as your future boss?

They could put you in a room with a bunch of interviewers merely to see how you react to group pressure. They may even administer a timed quiz to you. It might be related to a ‘proper fit’ exam for the position. Be prepared, don’t be thrown off. Demonstrate that you can manage it. If you accept the job, you’ll be stepping into unfamiliar circumstances every day for the next several years.

A portfolio is a terrific hidden weapon. They’re no longer simply for artists! Document everything you’ve done, whether it’s building your own media center PC, doing some heavy electronics DIY, or writing your programs. Take a lot of photos. Keep track of your steps and why you did what you did. Demonstrate the results you were able to achieve. You’re not just talking the talk anymore; you’re doing the walk as well.

Even After It’s Over, It Ain’t Done Yet

The trial does not finish after the interview concludes. Consider client service. You want your consumer to know that you’ll be there for him the next time he needs help. Although some may consider it archaic, sending a thank-you note or a quick but professional thank-you e-mail is just good etiquette. Manners are no longer a personality trait; they’ve become a skill in and of themselves.

If you get the call, it’s okay to inquire why you didn’t get the job. But do it in a manner that demonstrates your want to understand what that organization requires to better yourself. That’s known as an initiative—another ability to assist with technology.

Start Working Immediately

That concludes the discussion. You possess both technical and non-technical abilities. In a résumé, interview, and on the internet, you’ve portrayed yourself professionally. All that’s left is to continue shaking the trees to see what fruit falls. Keep an optimistic attitude, patience, and perseverance on your side. Continue to study. That job, as well as a career, will present themselves.