If you’re considering starting a career in tech, technical support is often an excellent entry point and one of the easiest ways to get your foot into IT. But can you land a tech support role with no prior experience? The short answer is yes. Keep reading this blog post to discover how to break into the tech industry and get a tech support job with little or no experience.
Can I Work as a Tech Support Professional with No Experience?
Yes, absolutely. It’s possible to work in tech support without experience. Many companies are open to hiring individuals who don’t have a formal tech support background but show enthusiasm for technology, problem-solving, and excellent customer service skills for their first-line support roles.
First-line IT support roles typically troubleshoot common IT issues, assist users with software or hardware queries, and provide basic technical guidance. They filter out support tickets, process “easier” tickets, and direct more complex tickets to the second-line tech support team or other departments, such as finance or accounts.
How to Start a Career in Technical Support
Getting a tech support job without experience can be challenging, so you need the right approach. Here are some tips to help you get started:
1. Develop basic IT knowledge:
Even without formal education, you can develop the necessary skills for a tech support job by taking advantage of free or low-cost resources. For instance, you can start by learning about operating systems (Windows, macOS, Linux), networking fundamentals, and how to troubleshoot common hardware and software issues.
Resources like YouTube tutorials or online platforms like Udemy, Coursera, and LinkedIn Learning offer structured courses to help you understand the basics.
2. Earn relevant certifications:
Certifications such as CompTIA A+ or Microsoft Certified: Fundamentals are great starting points when looking for your first job in tech support. These credentials will prove to employers that you’ve taken the time to learn essential IT support skills, even if you have yet to gain hands-on experience.
3. Enhance your soft skills:
Tech support isn’t just about technical know-how, especially first-line tech support. Soft skills like communication, patience, and problem-solving are essential for a role in tech support, as you’ll often be explaining technical solutions to people with little to no IT knowledge. At the end of the day, part of the job is to break down complex issues into simple terms.
How to Get Experience in Tech Support
Even without formal job experience, you should try your best to gain practical knowledge that can make you a competitive candidate when you are ready to apply for 1st line support jobs.
Self-study and personal projects
Start by setting up a home network, troubleshooting your own devices and helping friends and family with their tech problems. Everyone has a friend or a relative who struggles to install their printer, deals with a slow device, or could you with someone looking at their home networks. Hands-on experience, even if informal, will help you understand the most common issues you’ll likely face in a tech support role.
Volunteer or offer freelance services
Volunteering your services to non-profits, schools, or local businesses is a great way to gain experience and build your portfolio. You might even get some actual clients! Freelance platforms like Upwork or Fiverr can also provide opportunities for smaller tech support gigs.
Look for internships or apprenticeship opportunities
Many companies offer internships or apprenticeships for those with limited experience. Internships are an excellent way to gain on-the-job training, gain employer referrals and even lead to full-time employment once you’ve proven your capabilities to an employer.
Is It True that It’s Easier to Find an IT Support Job Than Other IT Roles?
In many cases, it’s true, and there’s an explanation for this. Tech support roles are often seen as entry-level tech positions, so many companies understand that the candidates applying for these tech jobs may not have an extensive technical background. Most organisations are often willing to provide training when they hire tech support professionals for junior roles.
Other IT roles, such as network administration, software development, or cybersecurity, generally require a higher level of technical expertise and experience, making them more challenging for entry-level candidates.
Things that Will Help You Get Your First IT Support Job
If you think it’s time to apply for tech support jobs, here are some things to keep in mind to stand out from other candidates and improve your chances of landing an entry-level role in a tech support team:
1. Make sure your CV highlights transferable skills
You should always tailor your CV for the role you’re applying for. In this case, you must highlight your transferable skills, such as the problem-solving, communication, and customer service experience you bring from other jobs, internships, and personal projects. You should most definitely mention personal projects in your CV, too, to prove your technical expertise.
2. Start networking
If you haven’t started networking, attend local tech meetups or join online tech communities. Networking is essential at any stage of your career path, and it could lead to mentorship opportunities and even job opportunities that aren’t otherwise advertised.
If you aren’t on LinkedIn, make sure you change that, as LinkedIn is great for connecting with IT recruiters and other IT professionals.
3. Don’t be afraid to apply for Customer Support Positions
Be open to applying for help desk roles or customer support positions with a technical element. Once you’ve gained some professional experience, you’ll have a better chance of moving into more technical roles within IT.
4. Do prepare well for job interviews
Research common technical issues that a tech support role might face and prepare to explain how you’d resolve them. Be ready to discuss your thought process and how you’d communicate solutions to non-technical users. Job interviewers will often test how well you handle problem-solving under pressure, so make sure you’ve practised explaining complex ideas simply.
You can do it!
Breaking into the IT industry as a tech support professional is achievable, even without formal experience. With the right mix of self-learning, certifications, and practical experience, you can demonstrate your potential and secure your first role.
Once you’re in, tech support offers great opportunities for career growth, whether you’re interested in advancing within IT support or transitioning into more specialised fields like network administration, cybersecurity, testing or software development.
Ready to start the job search? You can find free guides and articles on our candidates’ blog to polish your CV, ace your job interviews and get your first IT support job in no time.
Good luck!
