Landing your first technical support job can be puzzling and outright daunting if you are a fresh graduate right out of college. However, just because the task is difficult, it should not dissuade you from pursuing a lucrative job in the IT industry. If you are a fresh graduate looking for a tech support job or know someone who fits the description- hang on as we’ll discuss everything you need to land your first tech support job.
Land Your First Job in Technical Support Role
1. Work on your technical skills.
You must be very well-versed in your core technical skills. This is the first and foremost important requirement, and this also means going beyond bookish knowledge. To be a successful tech support professional, you must know Linux, Networking, SQL, database, Shell Scripting Basics, and Cloud fundamentals. You might have studied these subjects in school or college but don’t let the dust settle over that knowledge while you wait for your first job. Ensure to read more about the subjects and keep updating your knowledge. You can find more here 10 best entry level tech jobs and skills required to get hired
2. Network
Consider this stat, 70% of jobs are not published publicly, and 85% of jobs are found through networking. This might seem shocking to the uninitiated, but professionals know this secret all too well. Most of the vacant positions in a company are filled by networking and not through job applications. You should tap into your existing network in addition to your efforts to network with the right people to Land your First Job. This could be your friends, relatives, seniors from college and just about anyone with whom you share a good rapport.
3. Leverage social media
Social media has come a long way from cute videos of cats, and it is not only for passing the time. Social media platforms like LinkedIn have become resumes for some companies. Many companies now ask for a link to your LinkedIn account when you apply to them for a job. Make a profile on LinkedIn if you don’t already have one, and start connecting with the right people. You can also use it to find jobs using the advanced search bar on the left side.
4. Work on your soft skills
While technical skills are necessary, soft skills are equally important, if not more. They help you become a team member, a better employee, and overall an asset to the company. This is why you should also work on your soft skills. Soft skills can increase your chances of getting hired exponentially. Being great at soft skills means you will ace that interview and will be able to get selected for your first job in a technical support role . Read about the ten must-have soft skills for techies here.
5. Join a practical training program.
Practical training programs are a great way to get hands-on experience with the technology. As a technical support professional, you become better equipped to solve and troubleshoot problems by joining a practical training program. At UPSPIR, we provide practical training programs which help you upskill by involving you in real-life probable solving situations.
6. Apply to internships and entry-level roles.
We all want to start big. Get into that huge company and secure that top position. But this is not very practical. Most of us need to start small. Get our first job and then excel in that to get bigger and better roles. Internships and entry-level positions might just do that for you. Not many fresh graduates seek to intern at large companies, but they can be a passage to a great career. Consider this stat, about 70% of all interns get job offers from the same company. What does this tell us about internships? They can be an excellent platform for getting a successful job offer. So, don’t only look for jobs but also look for internship roles in your ideal companies.
When done right, internship and entry-level jobs may land you your dream job or at least be the launch pad of a successful career in tech.
7. Prepare for interviews
It doesn’t matter how good you are at Acamedics or great your resume looks; you need to prepare well for an interview. Presenting yourself at interviews is a skill, and you master it. Everything from checking on the details of the company to the proper way of sitting counts when you are getting interviewed. Most colleges don’t give enough attention to this, which could be why you are not getting a job.
8. Earn technical certifications
Rather than wasting your time waiting for your first job, use this job to get a technical certificate. This upskilling will increase your chances of getting hired and make you a valuable asset to the company.
9. Follow up
If you sent a cold email or talked to HR about a job but didn’t hear back from them, follow up. People are busy with their lives, and sometimes life happens. Your mail might have been buried under the spam folders, or they simply forgot to inform you. Follow up with people. Remind them about your previous correspondence. You should at least try to get a reply. But do remember there’s a fine line between following up and being creepy. Don’t spam someone hoping for a reply. Send them three follow-up emails. One a day after, another after three days and the last one after a week of the previous one. If you still don’t get any reply, move on with your life.
10. Resume
Your resume is the first piece of paper that people are looking at when they get your job applications, and you should work extra hard to get that right. It should never look like a shoddy piece of paper with random facts about you. Make a professional-looking resume or get help if you don’t know how to do it on your own.
Conclusion
It might be disheartening not to have a job months after you finish college. But, you must not take this to your heart and consider it to be only a minor setback. This attitude will help you improve your chances of getting your first job. Other than that, you must also work on your technical and soft skills, prepare for interviews, ensure your resume is impeccable and get certifications to increase your chances.
You need to remember that it will be tough to fail if you are making constant efforts. It will only be a matter of when and not if. Joining UPSPIR programs is also a great way to increase your chances of getting hired. We work on your technical skill, functional skills and soft skills. This overall development is why our students have seen great success in our programs.
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About Upspir
Bridging the Gap: Skilling Professionals, Solving Resourcing
Upspir is a pioneering organization dedicated to addressing the challenges faced by companies in hiring and onboarding the right talent. Our comprehensive training program equips professionals with the technical know-how and essential soft skills required to excel in technical support roles. By fostering a learning environment that encourages self-learning, problem-solving, and work ethic development, we ensure our candidates contribute effectively and adapt swiftly to the demands of their roles. With our founder’s 16 years of industry experience, we strive to bridge the gap between the demand and supply of technical support talent. At Upspir, we are committed to training and mentoring young professionals, providing them with the skills necessary to build successful careers in technical support roles. Join us in bridging the gap and empowering your organization with skilled and capable professionals.