Some tech support companies are clueless!

[wnied]

Recently moved to florida to help out my grandmother financially. Went out on an interview today for a company that offers Tech Support service for Compaq, Dell, Best Buy and Gateway. After showing them my credentials(MCP,MCP+I,MCSE,A+,Server+,Networks+) They offer me a position starting me at $9.00 an hour for the first three months...$9.00 FSCKING DOLLARS AN HOUR!?!?!?! Quote from the Hiring Manager verbatim:
"Regardless of Certification all tech support people start at the same rate...After the first 90 days, you'll be bumped to $10.50." ...And they wonder why people complain about their companies "clueless tech support!"

ARRRRGHH!! Worst part is I drove to North Lauderdale from West Palm Beach (about an hours drive).....GRRRrrrrr!!

wnied

 

[Viper GTS]

That's normal, especially in today's market. When I started here two years ago I was making $11.04. Today, part-time starters only make $9.00, full time is $10.48.

Viper GTS

 

[Locutus of Board]

Funny how the tech support for all those great companies is located where the vote fiasco occured.

Hmmm. Coincidence? Nyahhh.

 

[TheBlondOne]

I know. One of the worst tech support companies is Stream. For being one of the biggest, they really do suck!

 

[Rendus]

Stream, Matrix, and ClientLogic ALL suck But yeah, basically you're being offered about the normal starting rate (although the probationary period is unusual). Certs are worthless to begin with, and even moreso when you're going to basically be an X Company Certified OS Reinstaller. You may know what you're doing (MCSE carries 0 weight in tech support, as does A+. Server+ and Networks+ implies you know more than most simply because you know those EXIST), but they don't care. You're actually NOT what they want, as you're very likely to walk off the job for something better. I was told I was overqualified, but was hired anyway if I agreed to work at least 6 months there (they couldn't make me stay, but they asked me to). Welcome to life in tech support, the fast food of the tech industry. The plus side is, just like in fast food, someone is ALWAYS hiring.

You honestly expected to make $12+ an hour before bonuses?

 

[Windogg]

Unfortunatly that sounds about right for entry level tech support. There is usually very little skill needed. Most problems require the person to go through a general knowledge base and read the solution verbatim. I started at around $6.50 per hour about 6 years back doing tech support and helpdesk work. It was from there I gain the knowledge to do what I do today. The huge internet craze really knocked things out of line in terms of salary expectations. One co-worker's brother quit his job in sales and is now going to school to be a network technician by getting his Network+. I tried to tell him that without an real world experience, he should expect no more than $10 - $12 per hour. Of course he is telling me that he will take no less than $75K.

Like any job you have to work your way up. These years weed out those that truly want to be techs and those that are in it as a get rich quick scheme. Not only that but it teches important people skills. A good chunk of the job is public relations and calming people's fears. The ability to keep a person calm when you are thinking, "oh crap, he/she is SOL" is a key to the job.

Windogg

 

<< After showing them my credentials(MCP,MCP+I,MCSE,A+,Server+,Networks+) >>



Why would you go for a tech support job? Why would you expect to get paid more?
You understand that tech support is just so the companies do not get sued for long hold times. They are just a front line defence, they don't care what you know if you speak english.

If you have any real world experience, and half a brain, you should be looking for junior sys admin jobs, systems maintenece, help desk. Anything better then tech support.

Tech support is the fast food job of the computer industry, anyone who thinks different is kidding themselves.

Edit: Another thing, certs need to be backed up by a resume.

 

[Base10]

<< Recently moved to florida to help out my grandmother financially. Went out on an interview today for a company that offers Tech Support service for Compaq, Dell, Best Buy and Gateway. After showing them my credentials(MCP,MCP+I,MCSE,A+,Server+,Networks+) They offer me a position starting me at $9.00 an hour for the first three months...$9.00 FSCKING DOLLARS AN HOUR!?!?!?! Quote from the Hiring Manager verbatim:
"Regardless of Certification all tech support people start at the same rate...After the first 90 days, you'll be bumped to $10.50." ...And they wonder why people complain about their companies "clueless tech support!"

ARRRRGHH!! Worst part is I drove to North Lauderdale from West Palm Beach (about an hours drive).....GRRRrrrrr!!

wnied >>





Welp...techies typically make around $13-$15 an hour.


As for me....when I first got in2 doing desktop support, I was paid between $20-$25 an hour...this was 3-4 years ago.


I currently have my own company...and everytime I go out to a client's site..I charge them between $80-$125 an hour. Clients don't mind paying me for my time...cuz they know that I'll do a good job.. Most of my clients are form referral....so they already know what 2 expect when I come out 2 see them.

 

[wnied]

If you have any real world experience, and half a brain, you should be looking for junior sys admin jobs, systems maintenece, help desk. Anything better then tech support.

I've worked in Princeton, NY and south NJ as a tech for a year and a half. I have more than half a brain I assure you, but the tech support these people wanted me to administer to was enterprise network technology. A little more sophisticated than the average home user......its the average home user AT WORK. I didnt pretend to expect a fortune when applying for these jobs, but to be offered an entry level tech support position at $9.00 an hour after showing my certifications and experience was an insult in my opinion.

Edit: Another thing, certs need to be backed up by a resume

I handed them my resume, which was well stacked with companies I had worked for as management,IT support tech,Network Engineer and Associate admin. But as I stated earlier, at this point in time I'm loking to help my grandmother out financially and am applying almost anywhere.

Frustratingly Unemployed
wnied