How to hire a desktop support contractor

How to hire a desktop support contractor, step by step

Here's a step-by-step desktop support contractor hiring guide:

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

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The desktop support contractor 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 desktop support contractor's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, desktop support contractors 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 desktop support contractors.

   Type of Desktop Support Contractor	Description	Hourly rate
   Desktop Support Contractor	Computer support specialists provide help and advice to people and organizations using computer software or equipment. Some, called computer network support specialists, support information technology (IT) employees within their organization... Show more	$13-31
   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... Show more	$12-25
   Information Technology/Support Technician	An information technology (IT) support technician is a professional who is responsible for providing support and troubleshoots software and hardware problems faced by customers. As for larger organizations that have their own IT department, technicians must work together internally with their IT staff members... Show more	$14-31

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Desktop Support
   • Laptop Computers
   • PC
   • Remote Desktop
   • Network Printers
   • Troubleshoot
   • SCCM
   • Windows XP
   • Level Support
   • SharePoint
   • Windows Server
   • Remedy
   • Workstations
   • VPN

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage special projects, test and troubleshoot applications, images, etc.
   • Manage LAN infrastructure configuring and maintaining all network hardware devices.
   • Resolve hardware (PC, peripherals, network) and software issues.
   • Re-Establish a stable state for the PC and users.
   • Install and support Novell, Microsoft and Citrix servers.
   • Cloned computer using imaging software (DSM, SCCM).

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your desktop support contractor job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A desktop support contractor can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, desktop support contractors' average salary in nebraska is 40% less than in new jersey.
   • Seniority. Entry-level desktop support contractors 55% less than senior-level desktop support contractors.
   • Certifications. A desktop support contractor with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a desktop support contractor's salary.

   Average desktop support contractor salary

   $43,977yearly

   $21.14 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level desktop support contractor salary

   $29,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 28, 2025

4. Writing a desktop support contractor job description

   A desktop support contractor 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 desktop support contractor job description:

   Desktop support contractor job description example

   Summary of essential job functions:
   • Diagnose and resolve software and hardware incidents, including operating systems (Windows) and across a range of software applications.
   • Maintain a high level of customer service by responding to user requests in a timely fashion and work independently to complete assigned tasks as quickly as possible.
   • Take ownership of issues by carrying out problem analysis to implement temporary or permanent fixes with the aim of restoring service to the user as soon as possible; escalating incidents to support team where necessary.
   • Accurately record, update and document requests using the IT Helpdesk system.
   • Assist with administration of Office365 including email and SharePoint.
   • Maintain Windows Active Directory, Users, Groups and other records as needed.
   • Be able to communicate effectively with technical and non-technical colleagues at all levels in the organization.
   • Work within the relevant legislation, policies and procedures.
   • Troubleshooting issues relating to AV equipment and conference rooms.
   • Install, configure, and test computer hardware, networking software and OS software both manually and via endpoint management tools.
   • Assist in planning, coordination, and implementation of company network security measures to protect data.
   
   Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
   • Be a highly self-motivated team player with the skills and ability to manage changing priorities.
   • Understanding of Office365 including SharePoint, Exchange Online and Skype for business.
   • Assist remote users over the phone and through Skype for Business
   • Create, maintain, and publish relevant support documentation in order to assist all staff in the quick resolution of their incidents and service requests and enable users to become more self-sufficient.
   • Experience with Microsoft Office365, Active Directory administration, and virtualization technologies.
   • Experience with endpoint maintenance, software installation, diagnostics, and repair.
   • Proficient with Windows 10, Windows 7, and Microsoft Office suite.
   • Experience with MS Endpoint Configuration manager (formerly System Center Configuration Manager), Intune and AutoPilot - big plus
   • Network peripheral configuration, management, firmware upgrades, and diagnostics.
   • Demonstrable skills debugging issues on client machines.
   • Demonstrable understanding of cyber security.
   • Able to learn quickly and work productively.
   • Outstanding user service skills and time management skills.
   • Effective communication skills, both written and verbal in English.
   • Education and Experience: BA or BS degree or at least two years' experience in an IT environment
   
   Please note that Infinera has adopted a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy to safeguard the health and well-being of our employees. As a condition of employment, our employees are required to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19, unless a reasonable accommodation for a medical/disability or religious basis is approved or as otherwise required by law. Candidates are not required to and must not furnish proof of vaccination or request an accommodation during the application process. Candidates will be required to do so only after a job offer has been extended and prior to their start date if they accept the job offer. A person is fully vaccinated against COVID-19 if the person has received one dose of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine or two doses of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine and two weeks have passed since receiving the final dose of the vaccine.
   
   #LI-DW1
   #LI-onsite
   Infinera is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, sex, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Infinera complies with all applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right desktop support contractor for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your desktop support contractor job on Zippia to find and attract quality desktop support contractor candidates.
   • Use niche websites such as dice, engineering.com, stack overflow, it job pro.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Recruiting desktop support contractors 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.

   While interviews are great, you will only sometimes learn enough from a conversation with a desktop support contractor applicant. In those cases, having candidates complete a test project can go a long way in figuring out who's the most likely to succeed in the role. If you aren't a technical person and don't know how to design an appropriate test, you can ask someone else on the team to create it or take a look at these websites to get a few ideas:

   • 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 desktop support contractor

   Once you've selected the best desktop support contractor candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

   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.

   Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new desktop support contractor. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

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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