IT Technical Support Officer

Graduates entering tech support roles often develop their careers by broadening their skills within a specific industry or area

IT technical support officers monitor and maintain the computer systems and networks of an organisation. You will be installing and configuring computer systems, diagnosing hardware and software faults and solving technical and applications problems, either over the phone or in person.

In your role as technical support you'll cover one or more areas of expertise, depending on the size of the organisation.

Organisations increasingly rely on computer systems in all areas of their operations and decision-making processes. It's therefore crucial to ensure the correct running and maintenance of IT systems.

Job titles may vary. Alternatives include: IT Analyst Jobs

applications support specialist

help desk operator

maintenance engineer

technician.

You can also work within first or second-line support. The work is as much about understanding how information systems are used as applying technical knowledge related to computer hardware or software.

Responsibilities

You'll be responsible for the smooth running of computer systems and ensuring that users get maximum benefits from them. Individual tasks vary depending on the size and structure of the organisation, but you'll need to:

install and configure computer hardware operating systems and applications

monitor and maintain computer systems and networks

talk staff or clients through a series of actions, either face-to-face or over the phone, to help set up systems or resolve issues

troubleshoot system and network problems, diagnosing and solving hardware or software faults

replace parts as required

provide support, including procedural documentation and relevant reports

follow diagrams and written instructions to repair a fault or set up a system

support the roll-out of new applications

set up new users' accounts and profiles and deal with password issues

respond within agreed time limits to call-outs

work continuously on a task until completion (or referral to third parties, if appropriate)

prioritise and manage many open cases at one time

rapidly establish a good working relationship with customers and other professionals, such as software developers

test and evaluate new technology

conduct electrical safety checks on computer equipment.

Salary

Starting salaries in IT support range from £17,000 to £23,000.

After gaining experience, it's possible to progress to earnings of around £26,000 to £35,000.

Technical support managers can earn over £40,000.

The salaries for IT support work vary greatly depending on the level of the job, previous experience and size of employer.

Income figures are intended as a guide only.

Working hours

Due to the nature of the work, you may be expected to work shifts or be on call and it may be necessary to work extra hours to finish a job.

Opportunities for part-time work are not common, given the working hours in many large organisations, but it may be possible in some smaller companies. There are opportunities for self-employment in handling repairs and upgrades for home consumers or small businesses, although this market is shrinking.

Career breaks are rare because of the need to keep up to date with ever-changing software and operating systems.

What to expect

There is often pressure to work as fast as possible to deal with problems and achieve immediate results in all situations, either to ensure the minimum loss of manufacturing or customer-contact time, or to enable members of staff to use their computer again.

Considerable client contact is usually required.

If you have responsibility for hardware or networks, you may have to lift and carry equipment and stretch to access items in awkward places. The dress code tends to be casual, reflecting the physical nature of the work, but you are expected to maintain a reasonable standard of smartness.

Travel within a working day is sometimes needed and may be required at short notice.

Overnight absence from home may be necessary and overseas travel is only occasionally required.

This profession is currently male-dominated, but steps are being taken to redress the balance. For information and jobs for women who want to work in technology, visit Women in Technology.

Qualifications

Although this area of work is open to all graduates and those with an HND or foundation degree, the following subjects may improve your chances:

business information technology

business systems engineering

computer networking and hardware

computer science

computer software development

information technology

internet engineering

software engineering.

The above qualifications are not always required for this work, although some employers do prefer a degree or IT-related qualification. Employers also look for in-depth knowledge of the programs and applications they use, typically Microsoft, Linux and Cisco technologies.

A postgraduate qualification is not necessary for entry. However, Microsoft certification may give you an advantage. There are similarly recognised courses for Linux, Unix and Cisco. These are currently the most widely recognised technical certifications in the industry and are available at further education colleges and commercial training centres. Learn more about IT courses.

Skills

You'll need to show evidence of the following:

the ability to think logically

a good memory of how software and operating systems work

excellent listening and questioning skills, combined with the ability to interact confidently with clients to establish what the problem is and explain the solution

the ability to work well in a team

problem solving skills

a strong customer focus

the ability to prioritise your workload

attention to detail.

Work experience

Gaining as much practical work experience during your degree is extremely beneficial and summer placements or internships are highly recommended. For local placements, check with your university careers service or apply speculatively to local businesses. For overseas work placements, try the International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience (IAESTE).

Part-time or temporary work in a relevant area will be useful, as will experience of customer service roles as this demonstrates that you have the desired communication and people skills.