For employers, making the most of computer repair employment means attracting and hiring the right candidates for the job. Businesses of all sizes need technicians to repair and troubleshoot computers and manage networks and other technology.

Whether you need a single technician to work on your office computers or a whole Information Technology department to handle your networking and technical equipment, the right recruiting and hiring methods can ensure long-term success, with candidates who are qualified from the start and ready to grow with your company. To make the most of finding quality employees in the computer repair industry:

1. Make sure the salary, benefits and work environment are comparable to other employers' jobs in computer repair.

2. Find candidates with the right education and experience.

3. Screen candidates carefully to make sure they are the right match for your business.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Set the proper computer repair salary

Paying your computer technicians what they're worth is good for you and your employees. You'll attract top-notch candidates when you pay the going rate and will have employees that are more likely to stay at the job.

I recommend: Microsoft provides general guidance for small businesses on determining wages for employees. For information about computer technician salaries, view labor statistics from the United States Department of Labor or Payscale.

Use technical job sites to find employees who are dedicated to a career in computer repair

Job sites can help you reach many potential employees. Technical sites narrow the job prospects to candidates with education and experience in the technical field.

I recommend: Computerjobs lists technical jobs. You can pay as you go or get a monthly subscription. Dice lists technical jobs and also provides resources for employers, like tech salary surveys and job posting guidance.

Look for applicants who are trained to do PC repair jobs

Check with your local college or technical school to find employees or work-study candidates. Many community colleges, technical and trade schools offer courses in computer repair. While you can also find qualified self-taught applicants, an education can provide employees who have been educated in best practices, new technologies and certification preparation.

I recommend: Trade-Schools and ComputerTrainingSchools provide a directory of technical schools throughout the United States and Canada. ITT Technical Institute has locations throughout the United States and offers an email form for employers on its website. Anthem Education Group, with offerings in electronics and computer networking, has several locations in the United States.

Get help screening candidates for a computer repair technician job

Employment agencies, especially those that specialize in the IT industry, can be a great help when you're trying to fill technology jobs. While you will have to pay a fee, they can provide valuable testing and screening services. This is especially helpful if you don't currently employ IT staff and are not sure of the right questions to ask.

I recommend: TEKsystems specializes in technical employee placement and has offices in many states. With offices in several states, Comforce can assist you with finding contracted or permanent IT staff.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Look for A+ certification when screening applicants for computer repair job opportunities. It's a certification recognized by hardware and software vendors that demonstrates a candidate's ability to perform hardware diagnostics, repair and installations.

The computer repair industry is experiencing huge growth. In fact, demand has never been greater for people who know how to upgrade, fix or otherwise untangle the mess we sometimes find ourselves in when using PCs or other computer equipment.

If you've ever replaced a hard drive, upgraded an operating system or installed memory in a PC, you could be ready to embark on the road to a career in computer repair.

Of course, qualifying for computer repair jobs requires a few skills in addition to those you may have acquired when performing basic PC repair jobs on the kitchen table. But basic knowledge of what makes PCs tick is the first step toward your goal.

1. To become a player in the computer repair industry, you need a strong knowledge of computers.
2. Consider getting certification in computer repair through either night courses, vocational school or by obtaining an Associate Degree.
3. You need strong problem-solving, analytical and communications skills to succeed in a computer repair technician job.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Become certified as a computer repair technician

Take courses in computer repair offered by your local vocational school or college that can lead to certification in the computer repair industry.

I recommend: There are several schools that offer courses online or can tailor course time to your schedule. Schools such as ITT Tech, and DeVry University offer hands-on and online courses. Become certified for computer repair employment by CompTIA after taking their test.

Build your own PC

Assembling a computer from scratch equips you with the basic skills you need to perform PC repair jobs.

I recommend: There are several websites that walk you through every step in building your own computer ranging from video tutorials, such as the one on YouTube, to step-by-step instructions that can be found at HardwareCentral, PCMechanic, and MySuperPC. These websites also provide links to parts suppliers.

Find a computer repair technician job

Tons of companies are desperate in their need for good computer repair technicians and offer internships and entry-level positions for anyone interested in a career in the computer repair industry.

I recommend: Launch your career in computer repair with a job at a help desk, or intern with a small company where you can get experience in repairing computers. Join Best Buy's Geek Squad or Circuit City's Firedog to gain practical, hands-on experience.

Keep up with changes in the computer repair industry

Read and study material that covers the computer repair industry, and keep up with new techniques and trends in computer repair employment.

I recommend: Stay abreast of changes in the industry by subscribing to magazines and newsletters dedicated to the computer repair industry. Some of the more popular newsletters include Terry's Computer Tips and Ken Rutkowski's KenRadio.com. Among the magazines to consider are Information Week and ComputerWorld.

Join computer repair organizations

Membership in local computer clubs or national organizations related to the computer repair industry can result in some valuable contacts as you advance in your career.

I recommend: Check for computer clubs or societies in your area. Also apply for membership in national organizations such as the IEEE Computer Society, the Association of Information Technology Professionals, or the Association for Computing Machinery. These clubs share valuable information on computer repair salary, computer repair job opportunities and more. Networking is a great way to get your foot in the door of a career in computer repair.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Fix a friend or relative's computer. Not only can you gain hands-on experience, but you may also pick up a valuable reference.

Training for computer repair employment can take many forms. Many computer technicians are often self-taught individuals with a passion and skill for computers.

Computer repair can also be learned at technical and vocational schools and colleges. Here are some things to think about if you're an employer looking for qualified applicants or planning on sending your employees for training, or an individual looking for a career in computer repair:

1. Certification is essential for a computer repair career.

2. Training for computer repair is offered at local tech schools and colleges around the country.

3. Self-study, online and video training are some alternatives to a traditional technical school education.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Get certification and education for the computer repair industry

No matter how a technician is trained, certification is becoming a requirement for many computer repair jobs. A+ certification, sponsored by the Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) is the basic certification for computer repair technicians. If you're looking to hire computer technicians, train existing employees or start a career in computer repair, A+ certification is a necessity.

I recommend: Learn about A+ certification at CompTIA. Free information, resources and training for A+ certification can be found at ProProfs and Intra-Designs' Windows Galore.

Find online and video training for PC repair jobs

Online and video courses for A+ and computer repair training are a popular choice for preparing for exams and brushing up on skills. Employers can often get discounts when they provide programs to multiple users.

I recommend: PrepLogic lists a directory of online and video training providers. Train Signal and Career Academy offer CD-based CompTIA A+ training, with discounts for multi-user licenses. Ultimate PC Repair offers training CDs for computer and laptop repair jobs and upgrades.

Get local training for jobs in computer repair

Training is a great way to enhance the skills of talented, self-taught employees. Check out the programs at local universities, community colleges and technical schools. These could also be a great resource for finding new employees and interns.

I recommend: The University of Texas lists community colleges in all states. Education Portal lists universities and colleges throughout the United States, with an option to search by location or program. Find a nearby technical school from directories at ComputerTrainingSchools and Beelineweb's Trade Schools, Colleges and Universities website.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Don't forget about further training to enhance your employees' skills and career. Some of the next steps in the computer repair industry include careers in network engineering, programming and system administration.
• •  Keep up with skills, technology and trends in the computer repair industry by reading technology books, periodicals and websites.
• •  Pay for membership in one computer society or 'club' for each employee that will allow your technicians to establish contacts with others. This also may prove to be beneficial if your technician is struggling with a problem that has been solved by another member of the group.

Jobs in computer repair continue to grow and thrive, even during times of economic downturn. Getting started on a path to computer repair can start as a hobby or interest; you can learn a lot by building, repairing and upgrading your own computers and those of your friends and family.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

A+ certification

A+ training and certification covers hardware repair and upgrade tasks. A+ certification is recognized internationally by all computer manufacturers. It's a requirement for many entry level support and repair jobs.

I recommend: The Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) develops and administers A+ certification. They also offer additional certificates in networking, security, server and other technologies.

Employment websites

A small local company or a larger nearby corporation are some of the best places to start a career in computer repair. While jobs can be found by applying in person and looking in the local newspaper, online employment sites are a fast and easy way to look for work. Most local newspapers post jobs online.

I recommend: Dice is a leading employment website in the technical and engineering field.

Technical associations

Joining a technical association offers training, support and networking opportunities. It's a good place to connect with others in the field to share advice and job leads.

I recommend: One of the largest organizations is the Association of Information Technology Professionals, which partners with industry, government and academia and has chapters throughout the United States. Check the Open Directory for links to dozens of other organizations.

Help desk

Help desk jobs are a great way to get experience and learn more about computer repair and support. Help desk positions are often open to technicians with little experience.

I recommend: TechRepublic offers a video with tips for a successful entry into a help desk job.

Tutorials

Thanks to the Internet, it's easy to learn a lot about computers for free. Learn basic upgrading and repair skills from online tutorials.

I recommend: PC TechBytes offers a free online tutorial that includes a system overview and information about installing cards and hard drives and upgrading memory.

Tools

Repairing computers requires special tools. Look for tools that are demagnetized and be sure to get a wrist strap to reduce static electricity. Other tools include punches for network cabling and power supply testers. A complete kit keeps the tools neat and organized.

I recommend: Tiger Direct offers a wide selection of tools for computer repair.