If you’re in a pinch and need a job right now doing something in the Information Technologies industry, here’s a few quick tips to get you on your feet.
Job that is always available: Help Desk / End User Support
Help Desk, a.k.a. “Technical Support Representative” positions are a dime a dozen with a very high turnover rate. Why? Because people hate the job. However it usually pays well. This is one of those positions where they will pay you to stay.
You will most likely enter in as a “first tier” support rep. It doesn’t matter what you’re supporting, they will train you. You will most likely use the Remedy call ticketing system. Don’t know it? Don’t worry, they’ll train you on that also.
The key to support is to be a quick thinker and know how to support end users with minimal assistance.
Your job will be exactly like a Dilbert cartoon. You will “live” in a sea of cubicles and listen to your ass grow all day taking support calls.
It’s not glamorous but it does pay the bills.
Job that is somewhat available: On-Call Laptop hardware technician
It is possible to get a job as an on-call laptop technician. However you will rack up the miles on your car fast and spend most of your money on fuel rather than bills. If you have a high-mileage vehicle you can go for this if you like.
It is only suggested to go this route if you have proper experience with laptop assembly and repair. In other words, if you’ve never replaced an LCD screen (as in crack the chassis, physically remove the LCD from the bezel and replace), don’t go for this. It requires a steady hand and excellent eyesight to perform properly.
Job that is never available: Computer hardware technician / PC Technician
If you’re looking to build computers for a living, throw that idea out the window because you’ll never get it. Corporations couldn’t be bothered when they mass-purchase from OEMs like Dell.
In addition, most corporations don’t bother with in-house technicians any longer. For the ones that do, they’re mostly phone jockeys because all that happens is send-outs for repair with very little actual hardware work.
How to get a tech job fast:
Remember the following:
- If you’re looking for a job with benefits (i.e. insurance perks), don’t bother.
- Be willing to work short-term (one-to-six month projects)
- Be willing to be flexible (odd hours, weekend work, etc.)
- Corporations typically hire on temp-to-perm basis with I.T.
That being said:
Utilize staffing agencies. Some call these organizations “headhunters”. If you’re immediately turned off by that, then you’re not cut out for I.T. Corporations couldn’t be bothered with direct-hire when they can pay someone else to do it for them.
Before calling a headhunter:
- Have a resume in MS-Word format ready to send via e-mail.
- Don’t bother with a cover letter. It’s worthless because the recruiter will act as your cover letter.
- Have an e-mail address that looks proper (such as firstname.lastname@example.com and not DogBone47_bleah@example.com)
- Have a wireless phone that you can answer at any time.
Who to call?
- RHI (Robert Half International)
- OfficeTeam (another RHI)
Do you need to pay anything when you call?
No. RHI gets paid when they find you work and will take it directly from the hiring company and not your check.
If you call and ask about help desk support / tech support rep positions I will guarantee they will have something available, assuming you live anywhere near a place that has business and not some backwater small town in the middle of nowhere.
Tips if a position is offered to you by the recruiter:
- Always ask about the hours, else you may get stuck with a 2nd shift position.
- When you are informed of the hourly pay-rate, ask for one dollar an hour more. You’ll usually get it.
- If asked about any of your previous work, speak absolutely nothing about anyone you know or knew that you worked with. Don’t get personal. And don’t complain about anything either. For example if you say “The job was great but the parking lot sucked”, that alone can get you not-hired.
- Ask if it’s a temp-to-perm position or temp-only. If temp-only you may be able to squeeze out a few more bucks per hour, but don’t get too demanding.
Quick questions answered (for help desk positions):
Do you need any previous experience?
No, save for the fact you know how to use a computer and be able to look up answers easily (Google, a knowledge base system, etc.)
Is it helpful if you do?
Yes, because then you may be able to get second or third-tier support which is much less stressful.
What’s the most important part of the interview process?
If you get to this point, the most important thing you can convey is a willingness to help people and take as many calls as fast as possible.
How do you prepare for an interview for a job like this?
Simply put, go in with the expectation you won’t get the job. This will make you relaxed and at ease. Go in with the attitude of “If I get it, great. If not, no big deal.” Those who hire help desk personnel absolutely DO NOT want anyone that’s high strung or nervous all the time. If that’s the attitude you convey, you won’t get the job.
The person who is calm and willing to help will always get the job over the super-smart high-strung moron who can’t speak in front of people without sweating.
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