Most of us have had a computer problem and most of us have called the tech support line.  We usually get a person on the other end that asks us what our problem is and then they take us through certain steps to troubleshoot and fix the problem over the phone.  This is what a computer support job is.  Many computer companies have outsources these jobs to different countries such as India, but many Americans are complaining about not being able to understand them.  Because of this, big computer companies like Dell, Microsoft, and IBM are hiring more American workers as computer support technicians to better serve the Americans that are calling for computer tech support.

What does it take to land a computer support job?  The answer will actually surprise you because its actually not much!  Let us first of all explain that there are different types of computer support jobs.  The first type of job is the support job we have mentioned above which takes place over the phone.  The next level of support job is a very recent technology which involves you taking over the clients computer to see what is going on.  This type of job requires more experience with computer with a heavy emphasis on software knowledge.  The third type of computer technician is a technician that works for a large company and is deployed to the problem branch or area to physically fix the computer for them. 

For the first type of support job you really don’t have to know a ton about computers, but again, any computer knowledge is a plus.  This type of job has you go through an automated computer system that gives you the exact verbiage to say to help troubleshoot a problem.  This job is more like being a telemarketer with computer prompts and questions to help you get through the issue.

The second type of job takes a lot more knowledge and experience and does not give you computer prompts or verbatim sentences.  Because you actually take control of the clients computer you will have to be able to quickly troubleshoot issues and know how to fix them.  To do this you need extensive knowledge with operating systems and software configurations.

The third type of job usually has a training program where they will train you on specific company made software and how to re-install and repair it.  These jobs are great for the computer support technician that likes to travel and who has very good interpersonal skills to communicate with and solve problems with fellow employees.

Many people think that being a computer operator is simply sitting at a computer and operating it.  This is not the case as most employers that are hiring computer operators are looking for someone to oversee and maintain large computer operations.  Employers that are in the highest demand for these kinds of jobs are hospitals and large companies with national networks.  This page is dedicated to helping you understand what computer operator jobs include and what is required.

Any company that has a mainframe or server functions is usually in need of a computer operator.  The computer operator is the main person that oversees that the company network is functioning correctly.  In  a hospital setting, the operator would make sure that pending printing packets are sent to the right printers without delays or hold ups.  They would also make sure the patient databases are functioning without any errors or memory dumps.  In a different business setting a computer operator would monitor server and intranet functions as well as make any changes or maintenance that is required to keep the databases function properly.  In any case and in any employer platform, if there is a problem, it is up to the computer operator to fix it.  Because computers are erratic and people never know when a computer might have an error, computer operators are typically on call 24X7 even after they have finished their regular 8 hour shift at work.  You have a great responsibility as the computer operator because you are the fix it person with the knowledge and know how to get the computer systems running well again. 

Although you don’t need a college degree to be a computer operator a bachelors degree in computer science or communications is definitely a plus.  You should also have a basic knowledge of SQL, FTP, SMTP, VPN, Network protocols, and database functionality.  You must also have troubleshooting knowledge and have the skills necessary to fix systems without having to take the system completely off line.  Of course this does happen and the only way to fix a system is to reboot it, but with advances in database and network technology, most issues can be repaired by leaving the system running.  Remember time is money and when a computer is down it is costing your employer money.  As a computer operator preventative maintenance measures must be taken to ensure smooth program execution and less network down time.

Computer repair jobs are not just limited to hardware configurations as many companies seek computer repair technicians to help with software issues.  This is a whole other realm as computer technicians need to have knowledge and backgrounds in IT setup and administration.  Computer technicians usually set up network databases, VPN’s, and network boot-able software which can be very complex.  Most companies that are hiring for a computer repair positions are mainly looking for someone with a basic software knowledge and a vast knowledge of computer hardware configurations.  As a computer repair employee it is expected of you to troubleshoot and repair hardware in laptops and desktop computers.  It is also your job to price repair parts and order them with a supervisor’s permission.

How much does a computer repair job pay?  Most companies pay their employees who do this about $10-$15 dollars an hour.  There are some qualifications that must be met by most employers to land this type of job.

• 2-3 years of experience working with computer hardware
• Software experience and networking experience
• Experience working in a System IT or Admin environment is a major plus!
• Have a vast knowledge of hardware and driver set up

Computer repair is not for everyone.  Most people that get into this job are under some tight time constraints to get repairs done.  This can be frustrating as sometimes it takes a long time to figure out the actual problem.  A person in this position must be able to make clear, fast choices as to what the quickest, and cheapest solution is to fix the problem.  Because most companies rely on their computer systems to run their businesses, having a down computer is like being short an employee.  It is up to you to fix the solution quickly and effectively as well as perform preventative maintenance on other computers within the office that you work for.  If you love working on computers and love to solve problems, this is definitely the type of job you will excell at.