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IBM Skills Network Team

This course is designed to prepare you to enter the job market as a technical support specialist. It provides guidance about the regular functions and tasks of support professionals and options for career development. It explains practical techniques for creating essential job-seeking materials such as a resume and a portfolio, as well as auxiliary tools like a cover letter and an elevator pitch. You will learn how to find and assess prospective job positions, apply to them, and lay the groundwork for interviewing. You will also get inside tips and steps you can use to perform professionally and effectively at interviews. Let seasoned professionals share their experiences to help you get ahead of the competition.

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This course is designed to prepare you to enter the job market as a technical support specialist. It provides guidance about the regular functions and tasks of support professionals and options for career development. It explains practical techniques for creating essential job-seeking materials such as a resume and a portfolio, as well as auxiliary tools like a cover letter and an elevator pitch. You will learn how to find and assess prospective job positions, apply to them, and lay the groundwork for interviewing. You will also get inside tips and steps you can use to perform professionally and effectively at interviews. Let seasoned professionals share their experiences to help you get ahead of the competition.

A note: This course often discusses technical support specialists specifically, but the majority of the content will apply to technical support specialists overall, and the terms “technical support engineer,” “help desk specialist,” “IT specialist,” and “technical support specialist” will be used interchangeably.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Building a Foundation 
Your job search will be much more effective if you do some primary work before you begin. In Building a Foundation, you’ll learn how to clearly understand the jobs you will be looking for. You’ll learn how to write a basic resume and collect your previous work examples into a portfolio. You’ll also create some other materials that will be useful, such as a cover letter and an elevator pitch.
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Applying and Preparing to Interview 
Job Seeking and Interview Preparation helps you understand how to put yourself forth as a memorable candidate. You’ll get guidance on researching prospective companies and assessing job leads to sift out the ones you want to focus on. You’ll learn about rehearsing for interviews and why it can make a big difference in your performance. And you’ll learn ways to network and let people you meet help you find your ideal role.
Interviewing 
After you’ve attracted a company’s attention, it’s important to know how to follow through. The Interviewing module will guide you through the interview process from beginning to end. You’ll learn about common types of interviews and what to expect from them, including code challenges. You’ll also learn some crucial tips for making a great impression in a final interview and how to follow up so that you stand out from the crowd.

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Explores job seeking from the ground up, which is standard in technical support industries
Taught by industry experts at IBM, who are recognized for their work in technical support
Develops understanding of job seeking and interviewing, which are core skills for career development
Covers materials like cover letters, which are used throughout technical support
Guides learners through the process from foundation to end through modules like 'Interviewing'
May require learners to do research on companies before applying, which can be time-consuming

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Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Tech Support Career Guide and Interview Preparation with these activities:
Connect with mentors for guidance and support
Seek guidance from experienced professionals
Show steps
  • Identify potential mentors.
  • Reach out to potential mentors.
  • Build relationships with mentors.
Read a book to clarify networking topics
Provide foundational understanding of computer networking concepts
Show steps
  • Read the book's introduction and first chapter.
  • Take notes on the key concepts covered in each chapter.
  • Complete the exercises at the end of each chapter.
Reinforce critical concepts through video tutorials
Provide supplemental instruction and practical examples
Browse courses on Networking
Show steps
  • Identify specific concepts or topics that need reinforcement.
  • Search for video tutorials on these concepts.
  • Watch the tutorials and take notes.
Five other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all eight activities
Volunteer at a local IT organization
Gain practical experience and contribute to the community
Show steps
  • Identify volunteer opportunities.
  • Contact organizations to inquire about volunteer roles.
  • Fulfill volunteer responsibilities.
Write a blog or article about networking concepts
Reinforce concepts and share knowledge with others
Browse courses on Networking
Show steps
  • Choose a specific topic to write about.
  • Research the topic thoroughly.
  • Write the blog post or article.
Complete online practice tests
Test knowledge and identify areas for improvement
Browse courses on Networking
Show steps
  • Find practice tests online.
  • Take the practice tests.
  • Review the results and identify incorrect answers.
Contribute to open-source projects
Gain experience working on real-world projects
Show steps
  • Identify open-source projects to contribute to.
  • Review the project documentation.
  • Submit code contributions to the project.
Design and implement a small network
Apply knowledge and gain practical experience
Browse courses on Networking
Show steps
  • Plan the network topology and configuration.
  • Purchase and configure the necessary hardware.
  • Implement the network and test its functionality.

Career center

Learners who complete Tech Support Career Guide and Interview Preparation will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Help Desk Specialist
Help Desk Specialists provide technical support to customers over the phone, email, or chat. They may also be responsible for resolving hardware and software issues. This course will help you build a foundation in technical support by teaching you how to create a resume and portfolio, as well as how to apply for jobs and interview. You will also learn tips for performing professionally and effectively at interviews.
Technical Support Engineer
Technical Support Engineers provide technical support to customers and employees. They may be responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining computer systems and networks. This course will help you build a foundation in technical support by teaching you how to create a resume and portfolio, as well as how to apply for jobs and interview. You will also learn tips for performing professionally and effectively at interviews.
Technical Support Specialist
Technical Support Specialists help resolve customer issues with products or services. They may provide technical support over the phone, email, or chat. This course will help you build a foundation in technical support by teaching you how to create a resume and portfolio, as well as how to apply for jobs and interview. You will also learn tips for performing professionally and effectively at interviews.
IT Specialist
IT Specialists provide technical support to customers and employees. They may be responsible for installing, maintaining, and troubleshooting computer systems and networks. This course will help you build a foundation in technical support by teaching you how to create a resume and portfolio, as well as how to apply for jobs and interview. You will also learn tips for performing professionally and effectively at interviews.
Web Developer
Web Developers design, develop, and maintain websites. They may also be responsible for testing and debugging websites. This course may be useful for Web Developers who want to learn more about technical support. It will teach you how to create a resume and portfolio, as well as how to apply for jobs and interview.
Network Administrator
Network Administrators are responsible for designing, implementing, and maintaining computer networks. They may also be responsible for troubleshooting network issues. This course may be useful for Network Administrators who want to learn more about technical support. It will teach you how to create a resume and portfolio, as well as how to apply for jobs and interview.
Information Security Analyst
Information Security Analysts design, implement, and maintain information security systems. They may also be responsible for troubleshooting information security issues. This course may be useful for Information Security Analysts who want to learn more about technical support. It will teach you how to create a resume and portfolio, as well as how to apply for jobs and interview.
Data Scientist
Data Scientists collect, analyze, and interpret data. They may also be responsible for developing and deploying machine learning models. This course may be useful for Data Scientists who want to learn more about technical support. It will teach you how to create a resume and portfolio, as well as how to apply for jobs and interview.
Cloud Architect
Cloud Architects design, implement, and maintain cloud computing solutions. They may also be responsible for troubleshooting cloud computing issues. This course may be useful for Cloud Architects who want to learn more about technical support. It will teach you how to create a resume and portfolio, as well as how to apply for jobs and interview.
Systems Administrator
Systems Administrators are responsible for maintaining and troubleshooting computer systems and networks. They may also be responsible for installing and configuring software. This course may be useful for Systems Administrators who want to learn more about technical support. It will teach you how to create a resume and portfolio, as well as how to apply for jobs and interview.
Cybersecurity Analyst
Cybersecurity Analysts design, implement, and maintain cybersecurity systems. They may also be responsible for troubleshooting cybersecurity issues. This course may be useful for Cybersecurity Analysts who want to learn more about technical support. It will teach you how to create a resume and portfolio, as well as how to apply for jobs and interview.
Artificial Intelligence Engineer
Artificial Intelligence Engineers design, develop, and deploy artificial intelligence systems. They may also be responsible for troubleshooting artificial intelligence issues. This course may be useful for Artificial Intelligence Engineers who want to learn more about technical support. It will teach you how to create a resume and portfolio, as well as how to apply for jobs and interview.
Machine Learning Engineer
Machine Learning Engineers design, develop, and deploy machine learning models. They may also be responsible for troubleshooting machine learning issues. This course may be useful for Machine Learning Engineers who want to learn more about technical support. It will teach you how to create a resume and portfolio, as well as how to apply for jobs and interview.
Software Engineer
Software Engineers design, develop, and maintain software applications. They may also be responsible for testing and debugging software. This course may be useful for Software Engineers who want to learn more about technical support. It will teach you how to create a resume and portfolio, as well as how to apply for jobs and interview.
Database Administrator
Database Administrators are responsible for designing, implementing, and maintaining databases. They may also be responsible for troubleshooting database issues. This course may be useful for Database Administrators who want to learn more about technical support. It will teach you how to create a resume and portfolio, as well as how to apply for jobs and interview.

Reading list

We've selected six books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Tech Support Career Guide and Interview Preparation.
Provides a comprehensive overview of software engineering practices at Google, including topics not covered in the course.
Provides a more comprehensive overview of clean coding practices than the course covers.
Provides a more comprehensive overview of design patterns than the course covers.

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