How to Find + Prepare for Entry-Level Help Desk Jobs in 2022

Entry-level help desk jobs can be an excellent way to enter the tech industry without experience. Help desk technicians are the first point of contact for anyone needing technical assistance, from customers to fellow employees. If you enjoy working with people and technology, a help desk job could be a great fit for you. The article below outlines a few techniques for finding and applying to entry-level help desk jobs. 

What are entry-level help desk jobs?

You can find entry-level jobs in any industry. Typically, they require the least amount of training or experience to perform. Entry-level positions are ideal for job seekers new to a career field or transitioning from a related role. Those who work entry-level help desk jobs are information technology (IT) professionals. They possess a combination of technical and workplace skills and help others navigate technology via the phone, email, or in person. 

Entry-level help desk job description sample

Entry-level help desk jobs are likely to include the following responsibilities:

• Responding to support requests in a timely manner

• Helping customers and employees troubleshoot issues in person or remotely

• Providing technical help to users regarding configurations, updates, maintenance, and setup of hardware or software

• Directing unresolved inquiries to the appropriate department

• Maintaining documentation of help desk procedures

• Maintaining and reporting documentation of product or service issues

Industry outlook

Entry-level help desk jobs are a part of the computer and information technology sector. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), 667,600 new jobs will be created in this field in the US between 2020 and 2030. This figure translates into 13 percent job growth, a sizable step above the 8 percent growth average for all occupations [1]. Approximately 5,500 job listings for help desk positions were listed on Glassdoor as of July 2022 [2].

Where to find entry-level help desk jobs in 2022

For many job seekers, the first step is to search for “entry-level help desk jobs” on Google. While this will return results, it likely returns so many results that finding the right one might be challenging. Looking for a job can be overwhelming, but there are many steps you can take to narrow the scope of your search. For example, consider your desired work environment. You can add “remote” to your search if you prefer to work from home. If you would rather work in person or apply for a hybrid role, you might consider adding “near me” to your search query. 

Aside from search techniques, there are several other factors to consider when browsing entry-level help desk jobs. Many job platforms include employee reviews that can give you an idea of what it’s like to work for a given company. Think about the aspects of a career that are most important to you and make sure the company you’re applying for aligns with your goals.

Top companies listing entry-level help desk jobs

The chart below explores a few top companies hiring help desk professionals from several industries. To determine the leading companies, we used Glassdoor’s list of the top companies hiring help desk technicians as of July 2022. We further curated it to adequately represent several industries and eliminate companies with low employee ratings. Employee ratings are measured on a scale of one to five stars. They are calculated based on six categories: culture and values, diversity and inclusion, work/life balance, senior management, compensation and benefits, and career opportunities.   

Reputable resources for entry-level help desk jobs

There is no shortage of job-seeking platforms readily available online. One way to streamline your options is to earn a Professional Certificate. A Professional Certificate can not only help build your skills and enhance your resume, but it can also open up job boards tailored to your search. For example, candidates who complete Google Career Certificates also gain direct access to job listings from over 150 Google-vetted US employers. 

The Meta Career Programs Job Board is another reputable resource run by an industry leader in technology. Upon completing a course from the Meta Degrees and Certificates catalog, job seekers also gain entry to the exclusive Meta Career Programs Job Board. It includes over 200 employers committed to sourcing qualified employees through the Meta certification programs.

Additional job-seeking platforms for entry-level help desk jobs

You still have options if earning a Professional Certificate is not in your immediate plans. Here are a couple of free job searching platforms with high reviews from the online review community Trustpilot, which aims to build trust between consumers and businesses through collecting and publishing genuine feedback: 

• ZipRecruiter.ZipRecruiter is currently rated the #1 job site in the US. 

• Hired.com. Hired.com is a trusted job searching platform with over 10,000 employers. 

How to prepare to apply for entry-level help desk jobs

Use the following few sections to ensure you’re prepared to interview for entry-level help desk jobs. You can also learn more about becoming a help desk technician with this article: How to Become a Help Desk Technician in 3 Steps.

Make sure you have the necessary skills.

Although they require the least amount of training, entry-level help desk jobs require candidates to possess a combination of technical and workplace skills. Consider using the checklist below to identify relevant areas of study. 

• Patience

• Problem-solving skills

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

• Experience in customer service

• Technically proficient

• Familiarity with operating systems (OS), software, and hardware

• Analytical skills

• Strong organization and time management capabilities

You likely already possess some of the essential skills above. If not, try not to feel discouraged. Try browsing job listings to identify areas of expertise on which you need to focus. When you’re ready to gain the skills you need, you can complete an online course like Google’s Technical Support Fundamentals in about 20 hours. 

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Enhance your resume. 

Enhancing your resume is a vital step in the job-seeking process. When drafting your resume, remember that employers sometimes use applicant tracking systems (ATS). These systems use filters to identify specific keywords, making it easier to process applications quickly. Your resume is more likely to be seen if the language describing your skills matches the keywords employers use. You can read nine more ways to enhance your resume with the article below.

Read more: 10 Ways to Enhance Your Resume

Study relevant interview questions.

Interview questions vary from job to job, which can make it difficult to feel confident and prepared. Keep in mind that many companies use similar questions for hiring. Despite not knowing every question you’ll be asked, practicing for your interview can increase your confidence. If you have a specific company in mind, you can also use Glassdoor to search for that company and view interview questions submitted by people who have undergone the recruitment process. 

Read more: 10 Common Interview Questions and How to Answer Them

Get prepared with Coursera.

Ready to start preparing to apply to entry-level help desk jobs? Consider enhancing your resume with a Professional IT Certificate from Google.

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Related articles

• How to Become a Help Desk Technician in 3 Steps

• 5 Tech Entry-Level Jobs: No Experience or Commute Required

• 7 Essential IT Skills to Start Your IT Career

• 5 Essential IT Certifications and Certificates: Entry-Level and Beginner

• 10 Entry-Level Computer Science Jobs and What You Can Do to Get Hired

Article sources

1. US Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Occupational Outlook Handbook: Computer and Information Technology Occupations, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/home.htm.” Accessed July 5, 2022. 

2. Glassdoor. “Help desk technician jobs, https://www.glassdoor.com/Job/us-help-desk-technician-jobs-SRCH_IL.0,2_IN1_KO3,23.htm.” Accessed July 5, 2022. 

3. Glassdoor. “IBM Help Desk Support Salaries, https://www.glassdoor.com/Salary/IBM-Help-Desk-Support-Salaries-E354_D_KO4,21.htm.” Accessed July 5, 2022. 

4. Glassdoor. “Northrop Grumman Help Desk Salaries, https://www.glassdoor.com/Salary/Northrop-Grumman-Help-Desk-Analyst-Salaries-E488_D_KO17,34.htm.” Accessed July 5, 2022. 

5. Glassdoor. “Extra Space Storage Help Desk Technician Salaries, https://www.glassdoor.com/Salary/Extra-Space-Storage-Help-Desk-Technician-Salaries-E35227_D_KO20,40.htm.” Accessed July 5, 2022. 

6. Glassdoor. “HubSpot Help Desk Technician Salaries, https://www.glassdoor.com/Salary/HubSpot-Help-Desk-Technician-Salaries-E227605_D_KO8,28.htm.” Accessed July 5, 2022.

7. Glassdoor. “Rutgers University IT Help Desk Salaries, https://www.glassdoor.com/Salary/Rutgers-University-IT-Help-Desk-Salaries-E22285_D_KO19,31.htm.” Accessed July 5, 2022.