How to Find + Prepare for Entry-Level Help Desk Jobs in 2024

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 assistance with technical issues, from customers to fellow employees. If you enjoy working with people and technology, a help desk job could be a great fit for you.

Entry-level help desk jobs are a part of the computer and information technology sector. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), 377,500 new jobs are projected annually in this field in the US between 2022 and 2032 [1]. There are over 3,800 job listings for help desk positions on Glassdoor as of September 2023 [2].

The article below outlines a few techniques for finding and applying to entry-level help desk jobs. 

What is an entry-level help desk job?

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. 

Learn more: Computer Science vs. Information Technology: Careers, Degrees, and More

Entry-level help desk job responsibilities

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

• Responding to support requests and customer queries in a timely manner

• Providing customer support and helping 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 and network security protocols

• Maintaining and reporting documentation of product or service issues

How to find entry-level help desk jobs

The most common way for new staff to be hired worldwide is through online job postings [3]. For this reason, the first step many job seekers take is searching 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.

Turn to job-seeking platforms.

There are many free job-seeking platforms that post openings for entry-level help desk roles in the US, such as:

• LinkedIn Jobs

• Indeed

• ZipRecruiter

• Hired.com

Tailor your job search.

First, 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 have a combination of in-office and at-home days, a hybrid role might be the best match for you. In this case, you might consider adding “near me” to your search query. 

There are several factors to consider aside from the environment when you begin browsing entry-level help desk jobs. For example, some 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.

Learn more: How to Get a Job in IT: 7 Steps

Identify reputable resources.

Develop new skills or strengthen existing ones through educational programs, like a Professional Certificate. Not only can it help you 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. You can get started with the beginner-friendly IT Support Google Professional Certificate.

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.

In the Google IT Support Professional Certificate program, I learned skills to assist customers with end-to-end support, ranging from identifying problems to troubleshooting and debugging.

— Janelle H.

Top companies hiring for 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 September 2023. 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.   

How to apply for entry-level help desk jobs

Now that you've identified a few job-searching tools and platforms, it's time to prepare yourself to submit applications and schedule entry-level help desk job interviews. Use the following few sections to ensure you’re confident and ready.

If you need some additional guidance before taking this next step, you can learn more about becoming a help desk technician with this article: How to Become a Help Desk Technician in 3 Steps.

Step 1: 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. You can use 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. Consider browsing desirable job listings to identify areas of expertise on which you need to focus. For example, someone with technical expertise who needs more customer service experience may enroll in an online course like Improving Communication Skills by the University of Pennsylvania Wharton:

Step 2: 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

If you feel more confident about your workplace skills than your technical proficiency, you can earn a certificate for your resume with an online course like Google’s Technical Support Fundamentals in about 20 hours. 

Step 3: 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

Prepare for an entry-level help desk job with Coursera

Ready to start preparing to apply for entry-level help desk jobs? Consider enhancing your resume and learning from an industry leader in technology with the Google IT Support Professional Certificate. In just six months, you'll prepare for an entry-level help desk job by learning customer service, program installation, computer assembly, and troubleshooting. You'll also gain hands-on experience with commonly used systems such as Linux, Domain Name Systems, and Command-Line Interface.