Post job

What does a software support specialist do?

Updated January 8, 2025
8 min read
Quoted expert
Babak Beheshti Ph.D.

The software support specialist works on installing, repairing, maintaining, and troubleshooting software systems used by customers. The software support specialist provides expert services for customers to resolve issues and problems. A software support specialist must have expertise in the software handled and can effectively provide easy to follow instructions for clients and customers to follow. Customer software support is essential to service customers' needs, especially in digital products prone to bugs and performance issues.

On this page

Software support specialist responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real software support specialist resumes:

  • Provide second level desktop support, manage printers, and process SharePoint requests.
  • Research and troubleshot client technical issues; documented/tracked problems in JDS CRM system.
  • Possess fundamental knowledge of, and experience in, Java and HTML programming languages.
  • Work with XML and SQL coding.
  • Experience working with Java programming language.
  • Log and document all cases using SalesForce.
  • Provide end-user training of various CRM tools and modules.
  • Apply HTML editing to online patient forms to improve content and ease of access.
  • Work with continuing education and teach payroll, general ledger and fiscal year closing classes.
  • Provide setup and install support for the MUNIS software package on multiple OS and server environments.
  • Perform troubleshooting of law firm LEDES file format issues, XML format issues and software operational issues.
  • Assist educational & commercial PC clients in OS upgrades, mass deployments, and virus protection issues.
  • Code the initial template using HTML, CSS and JavaScript for in-house CMS for clients on a daily bases.
  • Configure application to meet client requirements: setting up payroll cycles, payroll deductions, vacation and personal day accruals.
  • Assist customers with troubleshooting of Cisco AnyConnect VPN connectivity.

Software support specialist skills and personality traits

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

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

  • Customer Service, 12%

    Provided customer service and technical support for a hotel Property Management System; including senior level escalation, troubleshooting and customization.

  • Software Support, 12%

    Provide software support and consultation for field service and operations both domestic and international.

  • Database, 7%

    Assisted with the Organization Database Cleanup Project, locating and eliminating duplicate entries for organizations in the Customer Information Management database.

  • Troubleshoot, 7%

    Worked with all levels of casino management and departments to troubleshoot and verify applications.

  • Technical Support, 6%

    Provided technical support for customers using real-time hardware/software system for monitoring pollutant emissions of electrical power generating facilities.

  • Software Issues, 5%

    Participated in team discussions were we analyzed problematic software issues.

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

Customer-service skills. One of the key soft skills for a software support specialist to have is customer-service skills. You can see how this relates to what software support specialists do because "computer support specialists must be patient and sympathetic." Additionally, a software support specialist resume shows how software support specialists use customer-service skills: "drive enhancements of ordering and customer support systems by identifying opportunities for improvement and areas of inefficiencies. "

Listening skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling software support specialist duties is listening skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "support workers must be able to understand the problems that their customers are describing and know when to ask questions to clarify the situation." According to a software support specialist resume, here's how software support specialists can utilize listening skills in their job responsibilities: "implemented new software applications, and communicated with it to translate needs for enhancements, upgrades and 3rd party software integration. "

Problem-solving skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of software support specialists is problem-solving skills. This skill is critical to many everyday software support specialist duties, as "support workers must identify both simple and complex computer problems, analyze them, and solve them." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "maintained updated knowledge of company services and solutions to better provide customer support. "

Speaking skills. For certain software support specialist responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "speaking skills." The day-to-day duties of a software support specialist rely on this skill, as "support workers must describe the solutions to computer problems in a way that a nontechnical person can understand." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what software support specialists do: "addressed end-user concerns related to software applications and proactively solved problems. "

Writing skills. Another crucial skill for a software support specialist to carry out their responsibilities is "writing skills." A big part of what software support specialists 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 software support specialist duties can be seen in an example from a software support specialist resume snippet: "provide software support to company engineers, ranging from documentation to writing software applications. "

See the full list of software support specialist skills

Choose from 10+ customizable software support specialist resume templates

Build a professional software support specialist resume in minutes. Our AI resume writing assistant will guide you through every step of the process, and you can choose from 10+ resume templates to create your software support specialist resume.
Software Support Specialist Resume
Software Support Specialist Resume
Software Support Specialist Resume
Software Support Specialist Resume
Software Support Specialist Resume
Software Support Specialist Resume
Software Support Specialist Resume
Software Support Specialist Resume
Software Support Specialist Resume
Software Support Specialist Resume
Software Support Specialist Resume
Software Support Specialist Resume
Software Support Specialist Resume
Software Support Specialist Resume
Software Support Specialist Resume
Software Support Specialist Resume

Compare different software support specialists

Software support specialist vs. Administrative technical support

Administrative technical support maintains every technical set-up used in a company. Their primary responsibility is to inspect a company's systems, evaluate for issues, and repair any problems immediately. Administrative technical support is typically on call at the start of the day and, when they are not responding to calls, they conduct regular check-ups on all company systems. They are also responsible for creating technical reports and offering recommendations for improvements.

If we compare the average software support specialist annual salary with that of an administrative technical support, we find that administrative technical supports typically earn a $15,910 lower salary than software support specialists make annually.While their salaries may differ, the common ground between software support specialists and administrative technical supports are a few of the skills required in each roleacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities. In both careers, employee duties involve skills like customer service, software support, and troubleshoot.

These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a software support specialist are more likely to require skills like "database," "client issues," "crm," and "hardware support." On the other hand, a job as an administrative technical support requires skills like "data entry," "desk support," "email accounts," and "network printers." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.

On average, administrative technical supports reach similar levels of education than software support specialists. Administrative technical supports are 2.0% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.1% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Software support specialist vs. Installation specialist

Installation specialists are skilled employees who are responsible for installing various equipment, machinery, and computer systems for a company or clients. These specialists must work with HVAC contractors to install air-conditioning ductwork and materials in business establishments and homes. They should recommend corrective action when identifying electrical and environmental deficiencies to ensure optimized performance and reliability of equipment. Installation specialists must also test hardware and software to determine its efficiency and reliability as well as its compatibility with the existing system.

A career as a installation specialist brings a lower average salary when compared to the average annual salary of a software support specialist. In fact, installation specialists salary is $13,061 lower than the salary of software support specialists per year.A few skills overlap for software support specialists and installation specialists. Resumes from both professions show that the duties of each career rely on skills like "customer service," "customer support," and "customer satisfaction. "

Each career also uses different skills, according to real software support specialist resumes. While software support specialist responsibilities can utilize skills like "software support," "database," "troubleshoot," and "technical support," installation specialists use skills like "ladders," "scaffolding," "quality measures," and "hvac."

In general, installation specialists achieve similar levels of education than software support specialists. They're 1.5% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

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

Babak Beheshti Ph.D.Babak Beheshti Ph.D. LinkedIn profile

Dean, Professor, New York Institute of Technology

-The enormous growth of IoT and wearables. The number of connected devices is expected to be more than 26 billion in 2020. That includes things like household appliances, controllable lighting, and much more. This trend is likely to continue as it is expected to see the industry grow to 661 billion dollars by 2021.

-We will be witnessing a more widespread commercial deployment of 5G in 2020. With the implementation of the Standalone 5G devices based on the 3gpp release 16, we should be seeing the more robust mobile broadband deployment of 5G, wider availability of 5G smartphones, and a push towards an all 5G Network in select urban areas around the world.

-Significant growth in AI-based technologies, from face recognition and voice recognition to business intelligence and market predictions. As machines and deep learning algorithms get integrated into many applications, many industries will undergo substantial changes. AI systems will continue to interact with our phones; cars will interpret and analyze their surroundings and intelligently drive themselves. Online vendors will monitor our browsing habits, and Google decides what kind of search results to give us, based on who it thinks we are.

Software support specialist vs. Technical support agent

A technical support agent specializes in providing computer and system support through calls and correspondence, ensuring optimal customer satisfaction. They are primarily responsible for assisting customers in troubleshooting and evaluating systems to figure out the cause of technical issues and talk them through its corresponding solution. Moreover, an agent must make follow-up calls to ensure that the problem no longer persists or forward them to higher authority personnel when necessary.

On average scale, technical support agents bring in lower salaries than software support specialists. In fact, they earn a $32,274 lower salary per year.By looking over several software support specialists and technical support agents resumes, we found that both roles require similar skills in their day-to-day duties, such as "customer service," "software issues," and "customer support." But beyond that, the careers look very different.

The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, software support specialists are more likely to have skills like "software support," "database," "troubleshoot," and "technical support." But a technical support agent is more likely to have skills like "email clients," "technical support issues," "inbound calls," and "internet connectivity."

Most technical support agents achieve a similar degree level compared to software support specialists. For example, they're 2.6% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Software support specialist vs. Technical specialist

The role of technical specialists is to provide technical support for applications and programs to staff members and customers within an organization. They train staff and customers on products and apps and offer advice on the best practices for utilizing technical programs and applications. They also design training materials to teach other staff members the most effective methods of using its technology. It is also their job to reduce company costs by looking for ways to improve productivity and lessen expenses.

Technical specialists average a higher salary than the annual salary of software support specialists. The difference is about $26,110 per year.While their salaries may vary, software support specialists and technical specialists both use similar skills to perform their duties. Resumes from both professions include skills like "customer service," "software support," and "technical support. "

Even though a few skill sets overlap between software support specialists and technical specialists, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a software support specialist might have more use for skills like "database," "troubleshoot," "client issues," and "phone calls." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of technical specialists require skills like "patients," "project management," "c++," and "c #. "

Technical specialists reach higher levels of education compared to software support specialists, in general. The difference is that they're 5.2% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 1.1% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of software support specialist

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.

Browse computer and mathematical jobs