How to hire a client systems administrator

How to hire a client systems administrator, step by step

Here's a step-by-step client systems administrator hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a client systems administrator job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new client systems administrator
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The client systems administrator hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A client systems administrator's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, client systems administrators from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   This list shows salaries for various types of client systems administrators.

   Type of Client Systems Administrator	Description	Hourly rate
   Client Systems Administrator	Computer networks are critical parts of almost every organization. Network and computer systems administrators are responsible for the day-to-day operation of these networks.	$37-57
   Systems Support	A systems support agent is responsible for resolving system applications and network issues, performing technical configuration, and upgrading systems infrastructure. A systems support representative conducts regular maintenance and diagnostic tests on the computer applications to ensure its optimal performance and efficiency to support business operations and avoid delays in deliverables... Show more	$21-42
   Information Systems Technician	An information systems technician is responsible for maintaining the efficiency of various network systems' performance. Information systems technicians provide network troubleshooting, upgrading systems for optimization, maintaining the security of databases, managing the interaction of networks, and inspecting and troubleshooting system inconsistencies... Show more	$13-35

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Troubleshoot
   • Computer System
   • OS
   • Windows Server
   • PC
   • SCCM
   • IP
   • Customer Service
   • Tcp Ip
   • Vmware Esxi
   • Desktop Support
   • DOD
   • DNS
   • Emerging Technologies

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Maintain Cisco network infrastructure applying security configurations as well as troubleshoot and accomplish initial configurations for the network infrastructure.
   • Maintain system backups using Symantec software.
   • Maintain technical database, and resolve technical issues inside a fifteen-minute time span - as mandated.
   • Plane, test and prepare, and oversee, the implementation of new or enhance infrastructure.
   • Administer file/print servers, network monitoring services, application servers, GPOs, and DHCP in an enterprise environment.
   • Well verse in the layers of the OSI model and have applied knowledge to troubleshoot and repair system and equipment malfunctions.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your client systems administrator job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A client systems administrator salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, client systems administrators' average salary in indiana is 33% less than in rhode island.
   • Seniority. Entry-level client systems administrators earn 34% less than senior-level client systems administrators.
   • Certifications. A client systems administrator with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a client systems administrator's salary.

   Average client systems administrator salary

   $96,729yearly

   $46.50 hourly rate

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   Entry-level client systems administrator salary

   $78,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 20, 2025

4. Writing a client systems administrator job description

   A client systems administrator job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of a client systems administrator job description:

   Client systems administrator job description example

   Smartsheet is looking for an experienced Systems Administrator with a solid technical background to join our Client Engineering team.
   
   In 2005, Smartsheet was founded on the idea that teams and millions of people worldwide deserve a better way to deliver their very best work. Today, we deliver a leading cloud-based platform for work execution, empowering organizations to plan, capture, track, automate, and report on work at scale, resulting in more efficient processes and better business outcomes. Trust is one of our core values, and as an organization, we execute that core value by maintaining and innovating on systems, processes and programs that secure our customers' data.
   
   You will report to our Sr. Director of IT & Workplace Services located in Bellevue, WA, or you may work remotely from anywhere in the US where Smartsheet is a registered employer.
   You Will:
   Participate in architecture, design, deployment, and planning of Mac and Windows based client systems for Smartsheet Develop creative solutions for our end user systems Administration, maintenance, and support of various on-prem and SaaS platforms to administer and manage client devices Automate manual processes and other items to create efficiencies Drive to create a positive and seamless user experience Partner with the compliance/security team to address, patch, and prevent vulnerabilities Conduct in-depth technical investigations to determine root cause Evaluate and monitor usage to ensure capacity is meeting growth requirements Provide escalated systems support for tier 1 and tier 2 escalations, problem resolution, and mentoring across the Corporate IT team
   You Have:
   3+ years of work experience in a corporate Linux, Mac, and Windows environment working as a systems administrator or desktop engineer Experience implementing or administering Microsoft MDM Solutions (Intune, MECM/SCCM) Familiarity with Windows Autopilot Experience implementing or administering MAC MDM Solutions (JAMF, Kandji) Experience implementing or administering Microsoft Azure Virtual Desktops (VDI) Experience managing Linux workstations (Ubuntu, Centos, Manjaro) Experience scripting solutions and can provide examples (Powershell, Shell) Experience with OKTA or other SSO products Experience with SOX, SOC2 or other compliance (HIPAA or PCI) Foundational knowledge of ITIL concepts and frameworks required Excellent customer service skills and passion to learn and understand technology Empathy for end users Ability to plan, organize, schedule and implement multiple projects simultaneously Must possess the ability to work an occasional evening, holiday, or weekend
   Perks & Benefits:
   HSA, 100% employer-paid premiums, or Buy-up medical/vision and dental coverage options for full-time employees Equity - Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) with all offers Lucrative Employee Stock Purchase Program (15% discount) 401k Match to help you save for your future (50% of your contribution up to the first 6% of your eligible pay) Monthly stipend to support your work and productivity Flexible Time Away Program, plus Incidental Sick Leave Up to 24 weeks of Parental Leave Personal paid Volunteer Day to support our community Opportunities for professional growth and development including access to LinkedIn Learning online courses Company Funded Perks, including a counseling membership, primary care membership, local retail discounts, and your own personal Smartsheet account
   Equal Opportunity Employer:
   
   Smartsheet is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to encouraging an inclusive environment with the best employees. We provide employment opportunities without regard to any legally protected status following applicable laws in the US, UK, Australia, and Costa Rica. If there are preparations we can make to help ensure you have a comfortable and positive interview experience, please let us know.
   
   At Smartsheet, we build an inclusive environment that encourages and supports the diverse voices of our team members who also represent the diverse needs of our customers. We're looking for people who are driven, authentic, supportive, effective, and honest. You're encouraged to apply even if your experience doesn't precisely match our job description-if your career path has been nontraditional, to set you apart. At Smartsheet, we welcome diverse perspectives and people who aren't afraid to be creative-join us!
   
   #BI-Remote
   
   #LI-Remote

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5. Post your job

   To find the right client systems administrator for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important sources of talent for any company is its existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and current employees and ask if they know or have worked with client systems administrators they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit client systems administrators who meet your education requirements.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter now have more than 3.5 billion users, and you can use social media to reach potential job candidates.

   To find client systems administrator candidates, you can consider the following options:

   • Post your job opening on Zippia or other job search websites.
   • Use niche websites that focus on engineering and technology jobs, such as dice, engineering.com, stack overflow, it job pro.
   • Post your job on free job posting websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Recruiting client systems administrators requires you to bring your A-game to the interview process. The first interview should introduce the company and the role to the candidate as much as they present their background experience and reasons for applying for the job. During later interviews, you can go into more detail about the technical details of the job and ask behavioral questions to gauge how they'd fit into your current company culture.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match your ideal candidate profile. If you think a candidate is good enough for the next step, you can move on to the technical interview.

   Sometimes, it's not enough to interview client systems administrator candidates, so you can ask them to do a test project. If you are not a technical person and don't know what a test project should be, you can use these websites:

   • TestDome
   • CodeSignal
   • Testlify
   • BarRaiser
   • Coderbyte

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new client systems administrator

   Once you've found the client systems administrator candidate you'd like to hire, it's time to write an offer letter. This should include an explicit job offer that includes the salary and the details of any other perks. Qualified candidates might be looking at multiple positions, so your offer must be competitive if you like the candidate. Also, be prepared for a negotiation stage, as candidates may way want to tweak the details of your initial offer. Once you've settled on these details, you can draft a contract to formalize your agreement.

   You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

   To prepare for the new client systems administrator first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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