Computer Repair Technician
A Computer Repair Technician, aka PC Repair Technician, installs, evaluates, detects, and troubleshoots different types of issues affecting computer systems or servers or networks. The individual will diagnose faulty hardware or software of PCs or laptops and diagnose them. After they identify the problems, they resolve them.
Technicians, however, work more often with hardware peripherals than with software. They should be proficient with the widely used operating systems, such as Windows, Linux or macOS. They are the primary customer contacts support and service.
Technicians should have first-rate analytical and problem-solving skills. They would have to travel to clients’ premises to fix issues whenever required.
Technicians should have excellent communication skills, as they would need to explain technology to non-technical people. They need to be prepared to work flexible hours.
Technicians must also be prepared to do physical work, such as lifting computers or equipment, and, if necessary, shift them to other locations. They would need to stoop, bend, and reach.
Technicians must be good team players. They would have to interact with end users through phones, emails or chats.
Technicians should be good at customer service and possess the ability to multitask.
Job Description
Technicians’ disassemble and reassemble computers using various types of hand tools. They help in producing test procedures for different types of products. They install and configure operating system software and upgrades.
Technicians would also have to repair IT peripherals and equipment, such as printers, mobile devices, scanners, etc. They would have to reinstall operating systems when hard disks break down.
Technicians will carry out performance tests according to requirements, prepare test reports of products when needed, remove viruses, and troubleshoot malware, adware, spyware, etc. They also adjust computer hardware components to ensure better performance and diagnose network connectivity problems. Freelance computer repair technicians’ responsibilities also involve replacing screens on computers, installing and configuring software programs, and assembling desktop and laptop computers, besides mobile devices and Macs.
They accurately document orders, as they work adhering to processes of the organization and the particular department they work for. Technicians should also have the knack for learning new technologies without much guidance.
They should resolve issues, such as problems with screens, network cards, and motherboards, video cards, sound cards, and software issues relating to Outlook or MS-Office, and windows error messages, among others, within the promised schedule date.
Technicians should know about the wiring of hardware devices. They have to install hardware and software.
Technicians may also have to provide support for different types of telecom devices, local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), servers, etc. They help prepare and maintain procedures for logging and reporting of incidents.
Technicians adhere to the best practices policies of their organization, besides its specific processes and procedures. They maintain detailed and latest inventory of all computer equipment.
Technicians provide training to their team members on how to resolve basic issues that affect their computer systems. They apply software updates and patches as required.
Future for Computer Repair Technicians
Job opportunities for computer support specialists are expected to rise 11 percent during the period 2016-2026, exceeding the average for all occupations, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). In the future, more support specialists will be needed, as companies of all types will upgrade the hardware and software of their systems, the US government department adds.
Educational Qualifications and Other Requirements
These technicians can advance their career if they completer a bachelor’s degree in engineering, computer science or a related field and an associate degree in PC maintenance technology will help candidates become Computer Repair Technicians, besides a certification in A+ from CompTIA, or others, such as Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) and Cisco Certified Technician (CCT).
They should have basic knowledge of networking protocols, such as TCP/IP, and topology.
Computer repair technicians need to keep themselves abreast of the latest developments in technology by acquiring new skills. They should be aware of system recovery programs.
Salary
The average salary of a Computer Repair Technician is $36,774 per year in the United States, while freelancers earn $14.21 per hour, according to Payscale.
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