How to Start a Freelance Career as an IT Support Worker

There are many reasons to become an IT support worker. Whether you’re seeking a career change or just want more flexibility in your work schedule, working as an IT support worker can be a great choice for you. There’s also the fact that this position is one of the most sought-after in the job market right now. If you’re looking for a way to get into the field quickly and painlessly, then becoming an IT Support Worker could be just what you need!

We will talk about how to find IT Support jobs in later sections, but right now we’ll focus on what you should do before you start a new job. This is the time for research and preparation! Make sure that you’re very familiar with everything to expect so that when it comes time for your first day of work, there are no surprises or difficulties.

By doing your research now, you will be able to have a successful career as an IT support worker!

IT Support Careers and How They Work

There are many different options for someone looking into the field of information technology (IT) support work. Each job is unique in its way, but there are some things that they have in common. One of the most important things to know is that as an IT support worker, you will be working directly with computers and other tech devices regularly. This could be anything from desktop PCs to tablets or mobile phones!

What does an IT support worker do?

As far as what your typical day may look like, there are two primary categories for IT support jobs. One is remote, in which you will be working from home and providing tech services to people who need them. The other is on-site at a company where you’ll work directly with employees using their technology equipment and applications. You may even do some troubleshooting for the business’s network or larger technological systems!

One of the first things that you’ll want to do if this is a career path that interests you, is to perform some research into the companies and organizations in your area. Find out which ones are growing or expanding their technology needs and focus on them when it comes time for looking at job openings.

When interviewing for an IT support worker position, there will likely be a few standard questions that you’ll be asked. Make sure to brush up on your general knowledge of computer technology and how these devices work, as well as about other aspects of the job like customer service and working with the public in a professional setting.

IT Support Job Market Information

According to data released by many sources including Forbes magazine, IT support roles are some of the most popular jobs available right now. They’re among the highest-demand positions in almost every industry and geographic location!

Believe it or not, becoming an IT support worker is often one of the easiest ways to break into a new field because this type of job generally requires little experience on part of the applicant. If you have a history of customer service, are good with computers and technology devices, and enjoy working to solve problems then that is all the experience that employers want!

How to find IT Support jobs (especially freelance positions)

Hiring managers are usually looking for candidates who have experience in the field, so you may need to look elsewhere if you’re just starting. We recommend finding an entry-level job at a small business that needs other techs on staff or available as consultants. Once there is some work history and references, it will be easier to find your clients.

How can I find clients?

Upwork

You can find IT support jobs on Upwork.com and other freelancing sites. Here are a few tips for landing your first job:

• Write proposals that show you understand what clients need
• Build up referrals before applying to jobs on Upwork

Read more about how to make money on Upwork

Your network

Ask your friends and family if they know anyone who might need IT support. Sometimes people are more comfortable hiring someone they already have a connection with. This can be easier than trying to find clients from scratch.

If you don’t yet have any contacts in the field, this article has some good tips for building an initial client base.

Once you have a few clients, make sure to keep them happy. If they’re satisfied with the service and results, then word of mouth is your best marketing tool.

This article gives some other great tips for keeping customers.

Google

Google IT support jobs and you’ll find tons of jobs available. You may have to dig through bits of duds, but it’s worth checking out.

LinkedIn

LinkedIn is another gem for finding IT support jobs. You can create a profile and wait for people to contact you, or use the LinkedIn search function to find jobs that are posted on the site.

Read on: How to list freelance work on LinkedIn.

What else can I do?

You could also look into becoming an outsourced IT worker for a company like Google, Dell, or HP (see this article for more info). Keep in mind that while these positions are more stable, they might not give you the kind of freedom you’re looking for.

IT Support Specialist FAQs

Here’s are some of the frequently asked questions by those who want to venture into a career as an IT support specialist.

What is an IT Support Specialist Salary

In addition to this information about what it takes to become an IT support worker on the job market today, we’ll cover how much people can expect to earn in their new career.

How much does an IT support specialist make?  

An average annual salary of $23,500-73,000 per year.

You may be surprised to learn that the average salary is quite high! Many IT support workers earn well over $23 per hour for their work in this field and can expect a steady increase as they gain experience and prove themselves capable of handling more difficult tasks or unique situations.

However, the range is wide and varies depending on your experience and location. For example, some companies offer higher wages for those who have earned certifications in advanced technologies while other companies offer higher wages to those who are willing to work outside of normal business hours.

What qualifications do you need to be an IT support technician?  

You don’t necessarily have to go back to school and get another degree to become a successful, high-earning professional.

However, that doesn’t mean it’s easy.

• You should first have a good grasp of the English language to communicate effectively with customers and other staff members.
• Second, you need to be able to work well under pressure because many IT support technicians are expected to solve problems fast!
• In addition, you must enjoy working on computers as this is your main job. Knowledge of computer hardware, software, and operating systems is essential.
• Customer service skills.
• Attention to detail and good analytical skills.

How can you become an IT support specialist?  

You need a foundation in ICT (Information and Communications Technology) such as:

1. Computing or Computer Science-related degree, diploma, or certificate from a college, university, or technical school that is recognized by the employer. For example, Google IT support course on Coursera.
2. A degree or diploma in a related subject such as communications technology (computers), engineering, electronics, and information technology is also an asset to your resume for future employment opportunities with companies that are looking for tech-savvy professionals.
3. Experience working within the ICT industry.
4. Relevant experience in a customer service or technical role such as: Customer support representative, contact center clerk, call center agent and help desk agent, etc.
5. A systems administrator and/or network technician for at least one year is ideal but not necessary if you are willing to learn on the job.
6. A high school diploma or recognized equivalent such as a GED.

What Are the Pros and Cons of Being an IT Support Specialist?  

Pros.

• A high-demand job in this ever-changing world we live in today.
• Good pay for those who enjoy the fast paced environment yet also need a quiet workspace to concentrate on their tasks without interference from co-workers or customers.
• The opportunity to work from home or anywhere with an internet connection.
• A career that offers a higher-than-average salary and job availability in comparison to other jobs out there such as working for big companies like Dell, Apple, or Microsoft where you might be limited by the number of people who are willing to work on-site.

Cons.

• High-stress environment.
• This career is very competitive as there are many more people who want to work in this industry than the number of job opportunities available.

Read more about how to learn tech skills while working in customer service

What Are Some Other Options?

As you can see here, there are many different opportunities for people who want to become IT support specialists. This job requires some special training and skills which may not be available in every location where you’d like to work. However, the good news is that if you don’t live near a large city or town with lots of tech businesses then there are many other options for you to consider.

In particular, many people are opting for work-from-home jobs today because they offer a more flexible schedule and the opportunity to make your hours while still earning money! There is less pressure on location when it comes to online or remote positions like this one which means that as long as you have reliable internet service and are willing to learn new technologies, you can find work just about anywhere.

In the end, becoming an IT support specialist is a great way to break into the technology industry in general while also benefiting from higher-than-average wages and job availability that continues to rise each year as more companies rely on computerized systems for everything from their production processes to keeping track of their finances.

Find your next IT support job!

There are many ways to start an IT support career as a freelancer so don’t give up if you don’t land your first client right away. You might need to take a job at an entry-level or be patient and keep trying different methods until something works for you.

Other helpful articles: How to get started with freelancing (with tips specifically for women)  and some advice about getting paid on Upwork.