tech support job

[qwert_666]

Hey all

I recently got a job at a call center doing tech support for a certain companies "special solutions" line....Im not allowed to say the company but think "two letters and they make printers", anyways I know that this job isnt gonna be a great but I wonder if anyone here knows just how much is gonna suck?....I am mainly taking the job cause they will pay for me to get a+ certified and CISCO certified and it pays better then mcdonalds, also I am wondering if anyone else here works in the call in branch of tech support

[mikeheitz]

I never worked in a call center... I was generally 2nd & 3rd level; you know, the guys you forward all the REAL trouble to. The last company I worked at (think BIG insurance company... hands for their logo) had a very poor call center when I was there. Here's an example of a real ticket I had:

"Please restore a file"

That was it. No indication of WHERE the file was, WHEN it was there, WHO wanted it restored (heck, maybe they don't have access to it?)... load o' fun. If they will pay for those certs, by all means go for them. That's the only way to fly.

[Mr N8]

Go into the job with a good attitude, always be there on time, and take every customer seriously. You should be in the next level in just a few months if you do that. No kidding. These call centers take anyone who is good, and move them up right away.

[avx]

How much does it cost to get your A+ certification??

While I am in the military I was wondering if there was anyway to get it while enlisted...If its not too much of a strain on my time...I kind of like killing 2 birds with 1 stone

[Mr N8]

A+ is only like $100 - $150. Its an easy one to get, too. Just pick up a book on A+, take a sample test or two, and you should be set.

[reboot]

I spent 3 days on call center support, and I was bumped up to level 2.
Go with it, and if they're footing the bill, even better.

[Xayd]

I've been doing phone support for about 3 years.

Not a bad job, not many jobs pay you to spam forums all day, this is one of the few that does

[avx]

Thanks for the info Nate

[ktkendall]

I just got A+ 1 year ago and it is was 138 dollars for each part, the hardware part and the OS part, so it was 276 dollars total.

[avx]

About how long does it take to complete ktkendall?

[qwert_666]

avx

A+ is an adaptive test, the more questions that you get right the harder the questions get and the shorter the test gets...Ive know ppl that have completed it in 20-30 questions on both software and hardware.

thanks for the info guys, by tear 2 do you mean the senior techs? cause at the call centre I work for it goes technical support associate, senior technician (they help out the assoc when they are in over their head) and the supervisors which are just that, supervisors

[ktkendall]

Querty:

I would go so far as to say that your attitude will play major part in whether you advance with this company, even beyond getting those certs, but with a bad "this job sucks" attitude, you may not find yourself advancing very well. Maybe it isn't for you though, and could just be a stepping stone to something bigger and better, but untill that would become the case, go in with a good attitude and make the best of it. Not only does it pay better than McDonalds, it it a much better environment, and probably much more opportunity to better educate yourself and advance to a real career. It sure sounds like a foot in the door with a major company, which may or may not be to your liking. I was hired into what was a unit of the once mighty AT&T company back in 89, and worked as tech assistant 5 years, (basically a cable puller), before becoming a tech, and now senior tech. It seemed so long at times, those 5 years, I remember being so sick of pulling cable, and working in those insulated drop ceilings, at times that I wanted to quit, but something kept saying to me deep inside that better things lie ahead, and boy it sure was worth sticking it out to finally make it as a senior tech. (Drive company van,laptop, and good pay, easy work, but much responsibility now) The thing i've always said about the big companys though is that they are great as long as you don't mind just being a number, and knowing that your number may be up any day. They have big meetings to tell you how things aren't looking so good but there aren't going to be any layoffs, we just need to tighten out belts, next morning there will be the layoff notices on the desks.. it's all about the stock holders with these biggie corporations, you cant top the bennies and the pay but you sure loose the personal touch.. Just some food for thought! Good Luck with new job and just give it your best.. KTK

[drew.]

Anywhere to take sample A+ tests online?

[ktkendall]

Originally posted by White Mike Anywhere to take sample A+ tests online?

http://www.certyourself.com

http://www.informit.com/examcram2/