How do i know if I can handle a HelpDesk job?

faintingheart

How do I know if I can handle a helpdesk job? I have zero job experience. It's been over 2 year since i work on this goal. I been working real hard so i can make IT a career and earn a good living. I started with nothing and now have Comptia A+, N+, Sec+, and CIW site development certification. I work over halfway through WGU IT degree program. I don't even know if i can get a help desk job or even handle it, it seem a little complicating then just get a A+ and get a helpdesk job. The last round that i apply for internships and help desk job I didn't even get an interview. It seem so hard to get a job that now i am thinking of changing career. What do you think?

Daneil3144

You've been here for 2 years and never had a job in the tech world?!

You'll never know if you can handle it, if you never try. You have more certs than me, so why aren't you applying?

I got a help desk job with just an A+, making 40k a year

majorpayne

Comptia certs will help land a Desktop/Helpdesk position. I don't even hold any certifications but working on MCSA/VCP and i am a Jr. Sys Engineer. Like Daneil said before, you wont know until you try. Also regarding your applying, i applied for 100 jobs, got a 10% response rate due to competitiveness over multiple states 10 interviews and 1 offer because of lack of experience just got to keep trying,

faintingheart

I didn't try to apply for like 40 jobs last round. I think I have to try harder and keep trying to land a help desk job. So help desk pay 40k starting? When can should i expect 50k? With 50k I can start feeding my family with less stress and ease.

majorpayne

Thats close to what i make, took me about 3 years of IT experience to get there.

faintingheart

Thanks Majorpayne. I will work my way up to that salary and then move on to Networking role. What are your plans after helpdesk?

EANx

Remember, pay is very dependent on location. Don't assume equivalent salaries without knowing where the other person is.

faintingheart

Is payscale a good way to pin point salary range in different areas?

faintingheart

bumpady bump!

sillymcnasty

Your certs will easily land you a helpdesk position, you're probably over qualified for it. Entry level jobs probably won't deal with security, from what I can tell.

Everyone is qualified for helpdesk. Prior to that is just tinkering at home.

faintingheart

Should i remove it from my resume than? I don't want to be overqualified I just want to fit right in the helpdesk role.

majorpayne

Currently my job is a mixed of help desk/system engineering so I will probably do that for a few years then finally move up in a higher role. Keep your certs listed I think it’s fine for help desk , they may say since you have them you could do Level 2 help desk but regardless it should get you a job . You might even look for a junior system administrator job , junior positions might help you since you already achieve a+ and network plus

sillymcnasty

faintingheart wrote: »

Should i remove it from my resume than? I don't want to be overqualified I just want to fit right in the helpdesk role.

I didn't mean that literally - you have no experience. But what I meant was you're likely to be able to hand any problem you come across.

NetworkingStudent

faintingheart wrote: »

How do I know if I can handle a helpdesk job? I have zero job experience. It's been over 2 year since i work on this goal. I been working real hard so i can make IT a career and earn a good living. I started with nothing and now have Comptia A+, N+, Sec+, and CIW site development certification. I work over halfway through WGU IT degree program. I don't even know if i can get a help desk job or even handle it, it seem a little complicating then just get a A+ and get a helpdesk job. The last round that i apply for internships and help desk job I didn't even get an interview. It seem so hard to get a job that now i am thinking of changing career. What do you think?

A couple of things:

1) You can get a help desk job! You have the certs and education companies are looking for!!

2) If you're not getting interviews, then there is something wrong with your resume. You need to have your resume reviewed. This can be done on this forum or through your school!


Keep applying for help desk/IT jobs once your resume is polished. Apply for as many IT jobs that interests you.

Also, practice your customer service skills:

Here is a link to some videos to get you started:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VY0YVj4LroU&list=PL58D8B118DED1097A



While you're going to school do you fix computers for family or friends? Do you do any sort of IT volunteer work? These things can go on your resume and certainly help you get an interview.

Muddles

As others have stated, you should not have any problems at all landing a help desk position.

I am curious to know your general location to see what the job market is like.

As "NetworkingStudent" had mentioned above - it very well could be your resume if you are not even getting interviews. It needs to be well formatted, easy to ready, and you need to be sure to include keywords that might trigger the HR filtering process.

I remember there was one position I applied to, I knew I was qualified as it was just an entry level networking position - I bugged them enough to where they finally decided to interview me.. however they were surprised because my resume was poorly formatted. Still ended up turning down the position though when offered due to salary negotiations.

faintingheart

Hey guys it's been about a week now and i applied to 84 jobs on ziprecruiter. I got an interview soon what should i expect?

This is my first interview.

I'm from Orange, CA by the way.

NetworkingStudent

faintingheart wrote: »

Hey guys it's been about a week now and i applied to 84 jobs on ziprecruiter. I got an interview soon what should i expect?

This is my first interview.

I'm from Orange, CA by the way.

The Job Interview

https://mn.gov/deed/assets/interviews_tcm1045-259790.pdf

Interview Preparation

Here's an introduction on looking good:

Get a good night's sleep

Take a shower the morning of the interview

Shave

Brush your teeth

Comb your hair

Clean your fingernails

Wear clean and pressed clothes

Wear proper clothes and shoes for the job

Clean and shine your shoes

Do not wear flip-flops or sneakers

Conceal or take out body piercings

Avoid smoking before the interview

Do not chew gum during an interview

Do not wear sunglasses

Do not wear fragrances

Knowing the kind of information the employer is seeking will help you prepare for the
interview.

What do employers want to know?

• Your motivation for employment

• Your ability to do the job

• How you’ll fit in

• How much you’ll cost them

Before you walk in the door, cover these topics on your own:

• Do your research – Ask about the interview process, who’ll you meet with, how long it
will take

• Match your skills to the job – Be prepared to show how other skills will compensate
for weaknesses

• Prepare to win the job – Be positive, truthful and realistic

• Look good – For the big day, try to be the best-dressed person to visit the employer’s
office or plant

Here are some interviewer Preparation Links:

Preparing for the interview from an IT manager's point of view:
http://mikenation.net/files/Preparing_for_the_Job_Interview.pdf

If you prefer a video you can use this link:
the Ask a Manager guide to preparing for job interviews

Including things like:

An easy 4-step process for interview prep
14 tips to get your mind in gear
15 questions that I would ask you in an interview
A supplemental video version of the guide, in case you’d rather watch than read

Individual links:

interview Preparation
https://mn.gov/deed/job-seekers/job-guide/job-interview/prep.jsp


The time before your interview should be spent preparing. Start with a list of anticipated questions.
Practice your answers.

Types of Interviews
https://mn.gov/deed/job-seekers/job-guide/job-interview/types.jsp

Three common types of interviews are telephone screening, in-person screening and the selection interview. Learn more about each of them here.

Communicate Your Best Image
https://mn.gov/deed/job-seekers/job-guide/job-interview/best-image.jsp

Put your best foot forward in an interview arriving on time, being organized and prepared, and sending the right signals.

Key Interview Questions
https://mn.
gov/deed/job-seekers/job-guide/job-interview/interviewquestions.jsp

Employers use all kinds of interview strategies. Let's look at some typical interview questions and the implications and motivations behind them.

The Tough Questions
https://mn.gov/deed/job-seekers/job-guide/job-interview/toughestquestions.jsp

Guidance on tough-to-answer interview questions, things that might touch on past work difficulties or personally delicate or embarrassing matters.

Illegal and Legal Questions
https://mn.gov/deed/job-seekers/job-guide/job-interview/illegalquestions.jsp

There are certain kinds of questions that are off limits for employers during an interview. We cover the things they can and can't ask about.

Reasons You Didn't Get Hired
https://mn.gov/deed/job-seekers/job-guide/job-interview/reasonsnothired.jsp

When you don't get the job, it's only natural to wonder why. What went wrong? Was it you? A few things to think about.

Finishing Touches

https://mn.gov/deed/job-seekers/job-guide/finishing/

Every job search needs finishing touches - those often overlooked actions likely to impress potential employers even if you don't get the job this time around. They show attention to detail, admirable and non-irritating persistence, and may lead employers to keep you in mind for future jobs.

Good Luck!!

technogoat

you should be able to work helpdesk

most of the work is ticketing and just escalating problems to the appropriate support

you're basically a ticket monkey

the field has high turn over rates since the job is absolute **** and no sane person would have helpdesk as a career

if you have no IT experience and cannot land an actual/real IT job then get into Helpdesk

you will need work experience regardless

expect low pay since you are basically a pleb in the IT world

sza

The certs you’ve earned should easily qualify you for a help desk and or desktop support position. If you are not getting interviews you need to work on improving your resume. I’m glad I started off at the help desk since it teaches you soft skills which you can apply throughout your entire career.

cbolar

If you're attending WGU I think you're more than qualified for help desk. Believe in yourself and continue learning. I spent 2 years there and 2 years prior to that doing break/fix work at a shop. My enthusiasm and eagerness got me into a security engineer role. Push yourself, you'll get to where you want to be.

faintingheart

Hey guys I finish the Helpdesk technician interview and score 4/6 technical questions. It's been a year since i did the a+ so kinda foggy in my brain. But I am trying to freshin up my technical skills for the next interview. I tried to talk nice and smooth but I still studer no matter how much i tried not too. I don't know if i got the job. But good news is recruiting agency call me for a different role and interviewing for that soon.

TechGromit

faintingheart wrote: »

How do I know if I can handle a helpdesk job?

I think if you don't at least try, you will never know. If you can't handle it, then try something else. Unfortunately far too many people have college degrees and are working as Janitors, clerks and waiters. Some are just plain unlucky, others graduated College with nothing better than a C average and can't apply what they learned in school in the real world. Spending 100k on education doesn't magically make you good at something.