Technical Support Specialists

Employers

Technical support specialists work for hardware and software companies, as well as in the information systems departments of large corporations and government agencies. There are approximately 843,660 technical support specialists employed in the United States.

Starting Out

Most technical support positions are considered entry-level, employed mainly in computer companies and large corporations. Job opportunities are found directly through the careers sections of companies' Web sites as well as through online employment sites such as Monster, Indeed, and SimplyHired, among others. Technical support specialists also learn about jobs through word of mouth. School career services offices often provide job lists, help with resume and cover letter writing, interview tips, and other resources.

Employees who want to make a career change into technical support can contact the human resources department of the company or speak directly with appropriate management. In companies that are expanding their computing systems, it is often helpful for management to know that current employees would be interested in growing in a computer-related direction. They may even be willing to finance additional education.