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What does a desktop support consultant do?

Updated January 8, 2025
8 min read
Quoted expert
Ming Chow
What does a desktop support consultant do

The duties of a desk support consultant vary on their line of work or industry of employment. Most of their responsibilities are likely to revolve around reaching out to clients through calls and correspondence, answering inquiries, troubleshooting, and providing corrective measures, all to attain customer satisfaction. Moreover, a desk support consultant may devise strategies to better communicate with clients, produce progress reports, and maintain accurate records of all transactions. Furthermore, it is essential to adhere to all policies and regulations at all times.

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Desktop support consultant responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real desktop support consultant resumes:

  • Install and manage several networking components including routers, switches, routing switches, wireless access points, and hubs.
  • Manage update deployment and verify policy adherence utilizing SCCM.
  • Manage backups, replications and disaster recovery plans of company mission critical servers and database files to ensure redundancy.
  • Perform data backup, virus scanning, and OS updating procedures.
  • Create and support user accounts for VOIP network utilizing Cisco IP phones.
  • Configure all applications, changes, and deletions of MITEL VOIP systems.
  • Will be responsible for ensuring application packages are install into the LINUX environment
  • Configure VPN, AGN and wireless capabilities, and make certain adjustments to the network system to correct network speed.
  • Perform cable management duties (network cabling, install and replace jacks, switches, install punch down blocks).
  • Diagnose and identify upgrade and repair computer and printer issues efficiently, enter all pertinent data in a remedy tracking system.
  • Develop procedures for proper PC deployments
  • Experience with remedy ticketing systems.
  • Monitor Citrix users and applications.
  • Support Citrix applications for users.
  • Troubleshoot wired and wireless TCP/IP connectivity issues.

Desktop support consultant skills and personality traits

We calculated that 12% of Desktop Support Consultants are proficient in Desktop Support, Customer Service, and Troubleshoot. They’re also known for soft skills such as Customer-service skills, Listening skills, and Problem-solving skills.

We break down the percentage of Desktop Support Consultants that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Desktop Support, 12%

    Provided tier two dedicated desktop support to Energy Technology Company and shared desktop support to other business units within Chevron.

  • Customer Service, 11%

    Classified and resolved customer questions regarding setup and functionality about all supported applications with superior customer service.

  • Troubleshoot, 8%

    Installed, configured, and troubleshoot operating system and proprietary medical tracking software, monitoring connections and diagnosing network applications.

  • PC, 6%

    Supported hardware and software within a professional organization across multiple locations and performed PC build/setup prior to field deployment.

  • Technical Support, 6%

    Provided essential technical support to 3,800 users both domestically and internationally using phone and remote support.

  • OS, 4%

    Provided over the phone tech support for MAC OS, Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7 operating Systems.

Common skills that a desktop support consultant uses to do their job include "desktop support," "customer service," and "troubleshoot." You can find details on the most important desktop support consultant responsibilities below.

Customer-service skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a desktop support consultant to have is customer-service skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "computer support specialists must be patient and sympathetic." Desktop support consultants often use customer-service skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "provide computer system support for both staff and customers. "

Listening skills. Many desktop support consultant duties rely on listening skills. "support workers must be able to understand the problems that their customers are describing and know when to ask questions to clarify the situation.," so a desktop support consultant will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways desktop support consultant responsibilities rely on listening skills: "communicated and coordinated technical support for casey family programs field offices to ensure timely resolution to issues. "

Problem-solving skills. desktop support consultants are also known for problem-solving skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to desktop support consultant responsibilities, because "support workers must identify both simple and complex computer problems, analyze them, and solve them." A desktop support consultant resume example shows how problem-solving skills is used in the workplace: "document failure cases/solutions on confluence (sharepoint) linking to itrs knowledge base. "

Speaking skills. A big part of what desktop support consultants do relies on "speaking skills." You can see how essential it is to desktop support consultant responsibilities because "support workers must describe the solutions to computer problems in a way that a nontechnical person can understand." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical desktop support consultant tasks: "provided lan support, addressed and resolved tcp/ip, wins and dns issues. "

Writing skills. Another crucial skill for a desktop support consultant to carry out their responsibilities is "writing skills." A big part of what desktop support consultants relies on this skill, since "strong writing skills are useful for preparing instructions and email responses for employees and customers, as well as for real-time web chat interactions." How this skill relates to desktop support consultant duties can be seen in an example from a desktop support consultant resume snippet: "submit application to automated underwriting systems (aus) including fannie mae du and freddie mac lp. "

Most common desktop support consultant skills

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Compare different desktop support consultants

Desktop support consultant vs. Computer technician

Computer technicians are skilled information technology professionals who handle concerns related to computers. They are responsible for assisting clients in software installations, troubleshooting needs, and repair needs. Computer technicians handle the maintenance and repair of both software and hardware of computers. They should be able to quickly pinpoint the causes of computer problems that the client encounters. They should also be able to answer the clients' computer-related inquiries and provide advice on proper computer handling. Computer technicians should have good analytical skills and decision-making skills.

If we compare the average desktop support consultant annual salary with that of a computer technician, we find that computer technicians typically earn a $6,966 lower salary than desktop support consultants make annually.While their salaries may differ, the common ground between desktop support consultants and computer technicians are a few of the skills required in each roleacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities. In both careers, employee duties involve skills like customer service, technical support, and os.

While similarities exist, there are also some differences between desktop support consultants and computer technician. For instance, desktop support consultant responsibilities require skills such as "desktop support," "troubleshoot," "pc," and "remote desktop." Whereas a computer technician is skilled in "desk support," "pcs," "lan," and "computer equipment." This is part of what separates the two careers.

Computer technicians really shine in the government industry with an average salary of $48,277. Comparatively, desktop support consultants tend to make the most money in the finance industry with an average salary of $51,314.The education levels that computer technicians earn slightly differ from desktop support consultants. In particular, computer technicians are 3.2% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a desktop support consultant. Additionally, they're 0.3% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Desktop support consultant vs. Help desk analyst

Help Desk Analysts generally provide technical support by assisting customers with their system issues. These analysts are expected to be highly knowledgeable about application processes and basic troubleshooting. Help Desk Analysts usually communicate with end-users through phone calls or e-mail and are required to attend on customers technical issues promptly. Depending on the expertise, the Help Desk Analysts are often categorized to support levels wherein the most complex issues are often handle by the highest tier. The Help Desk Analysts must have critical-thinking skills on solving network problems and document specific concerns and progress.

A career as a help desk analyst brings a lower average salary when compared to the average annual salary of a desktop support consultant. In fact, help desk analysts salary is $9,415 lower than the salary of desktop support consultants per year.Only some things about these jobs are the same. Take their skills, for example. Desktop support consultants and help desk analysts both require similar skills like "customer service," "troubleshoot," and "technical support" to carry out their responsibilities.

In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, desktop support consultant responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "desktop support," "pc," "user support," and "laptop computers." Meanwhile, a help desk analyst has duties that require skills in areas such as "phone calls," "strong problem-solving," "help desk," and "desk support." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.

Help desk analysts earn a lower average salary than desktop support consultants. But help desk analysts earn the highest pay in the government industry, with an average salary of $42,262. Additionally, desktop support consultants earn the highest salaries in the finance with average pay of $51,314 annually.In general, help desk analysts achieve similar levels of education than desktop support consultants. They're 2.5% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.3% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for desktop support consultants in the next 3-5 years?

Ming ChowMing Chow LinkedIn profile

Associate Teaching Professor, Tufts University

Infrastructure, including cloud and networking, Security, Machine Learning, and Data Science.

References:
1. cybersecurity
2. cybersecurity

Desktop support consultant vs. Information technology technician

An information technology technician, also known as an IT technician, is responsible for ensuring that all computer systems in a company or organization are running smoothly and efficiently. Their duties primarily revolve around installing and maintaining systems, including software and hardware, and resolving any issues. They also provide technical support such as troubleshooting, navigation, and even system upgrades. Furthermore, an information technology technician can choose whether to work for a company or independently.

On average, information technology technicians earn higher salaries than desktop support consultants, with a $2,298 difference per year.By looking over several desktop support consultants and information technology technicians resumes, we found that both roles require similar skills in their day-to-day duties, such as "customer service," "troubleshoot," and "technical support." But beyond that, the careers look very different.

Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from desktop support consultant resumes include skills like "desktop support," "pc," "user support," and "laptop computers," whereas an information technology technician is more likely to list skills in "desk support," "java," "pcs," and "pos. "

Information technology technicians earn the highest salary when working in the finance industry, where they receive an average salary of $66,881. Comparatively, desktop support consultants have the highest earning potential in the finance industry, with an average salary of $51,314.information technology technicians typically earn similar educational levels compared to desktop support consultants. Specifically, they're 2.4% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.4% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Desktop support consultant vs. 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. Additional duties include creating network designs based on clients' specifications, configuring software and hardware applications, and creating reports on system issues and resolutions. An information systems technician must have excellent knowledge of information systems procedures, programming languages, detecting malfunctions, and making resolutions promptly.

Information systems technicians average a lower salary than the annual salary of desktop support consultants. The difference is about $387 per year.According to resumes from desktop support consultants and information systems technicians, some of the skills necessary to complete the responsibilities of each role are similar. These skills include "customer service," "troubleshoot," and "technical support. "

Even though a few skill sets overlap between desktop support consultants and information systems technicians, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a desktop support consultant might have more use for skills like "desktop support," "pc," "laptop computers," and "remedy." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of information systems technicians require skills like "phone calls," "desk support," "help desk," and "pcs. "

The government industry tends to pay the highest salaries for information systems technicians, with average annual pay of $63,116. Comparatively, the highest desktop support consultant annual salary comes from the finance industry.The average resume of information systems technicians showed that they earn similar levels of education compared to desktop support consultants. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 1.2% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 0.2%.

Types of desktop support consultant

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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