Help Desk Resume: Template for Download & Practical Examples

As a Help Desk Support Specialist, troubleshooting other people’s problems is your bread and butter. But have you figured out how to identify problems in your own resume? Let us give you technical support for once and provide you with some corrective steps for your career!

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Margaret Buj
Reviewed by
Margaret Buj
Career expert
Updated on May 6, 2024
Written by
ResumeGiants Team
Resume and Cover Letter Experts

Do you like helping others who are struggling with tech woes? Help desk support specialists are your digital superheroes, swooping in to save the day with unmatched IT skills and a proactive approach.

Whether it’s offering remote assistance or orchestrating seamless network operations, these experts are the lifeline in the chaotic digital realm.

Thinking about joining the ranks of these IT knights? Learn with us how to write a resume for IT help that’s as strong as your problem-solving skills. 

Dive in to build a resume that lands you that dream job!

Help Desk Resume Sample

Talented computer support specialists are always in demand. 

It is expected that the need for skilled staff in this field will keep rising in the years to come. In fact, about 49,200 job openings are projected for support specialists each year.

Even so, future candidates need to be aware that this is not your regular 9-to-5 job. Due to the nature of the industry, there is a need for 24-hour availability—nights, weekends, and holidays included. 

If you are looking for remote work, this might be the role for you, as often you will need to connect remotely to fix and troubleshoot user’s problems.

Before we get into the nitty-gritty of how to write a professional help desk resume, we’ve put together an example for you to look over.

Resume Example
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[Maria Johnson]

[Help Desk Analyst]

[Chicago, IL 600007 | 111-333-1111 | maria.johnson@example.com]

>> Summary <<

Dedicated and experienced Help Desk Analyst with over 9 years in the IT field, exceptional problem-solving abilities and technical acumen in various environments. Successfully handled and resolved 20% of help desk cases at the current role, illustrating a strong track record in improving system functionalities and fostering client relationships. Adept at working in high-pressure situations and maintaining a high level of professionalism and efficiency.

Skills

  • Database Management (MongoDB, MySQL)
  • Frontend Development
  • JavaScript, JQuery, Node.js
  • Hardware Troubleshooting
  • Network Configuration
  • Operating System Administration (Windows, Linux)
  • IT Security Best Practices
  • Problem-solving and Analysis
  • Knowledge of IBM RS/6000 Systems
  • Application and Desktop Support

Experience

Help Desk Analyst

Example Co., Chicago IL. 

May 2019 – present

  • Expertly fix hardware issues including desktop PCs, printers, IBM RS/6000s, and networks – performed 100+ successful hardware and software repairs per week.
  • Manage the 24/7 support for application and desktop software, ensuring a remarkable 98.8% uptime rate.
  • Maintained 99% satisfaction rating in monthly end-user scoring through applied interpersonal skills and providing fast solutions in a team of 6.

Help desk Analyst

Hudson, Chicago, IL

February 2016 – April 2019

  • Coordinated with onsite technicians and clients to complete replacement of access and switch points at remote sites
  • Diagnosed and resolved 20+ computer and printer problems per week in a busy corporate office
  • Established positive relationships with 10 new clients
  • Completed documentation for projects and training

Certification

CompTIA A+ – issued by Google IT Support, 202

Education

Education:

Bachelor of Communication

University of Seattle, Seattle

2015

What’s the Best Help Desk Resume Format?

Help desk specialists stand as the crucial bridge between users and IT teams, dedicating themselves to resolving problems and maintaining optimal system performance daily. 

When crafting your resume, your presentation should encapsulate not just your proficiency but also your unique approach to problem-solving.

The reverse-chronological resume format is the premier choice for Help Desk Specialists. It allows recruiters to follow your career trajectory clearly, showcasing your growth and problem-solving strategies over time. 

This layout narrates your story of adapting and overcoming challenges in different roles, making a strong case for your expertise and abilities.

Regardless of the resume format you choose, ensure to include accurate contact details and utilize a professional, distinct font. Keep your content concise and focused on relevant work experiences and skills, adhering to the principle that less is more. 

Remember, recruiters appreciate succinct resumes that encapsulate vital information without forgoing substance.

If you are having trouble deciding what your resume should include, you can always check out our free help desk resume templates that are bound to help you build your help desk resume.

How to Write a Help Desk Resume Summary or Resume Objective

When starting to work on updating your resume, the first thing to think about is your introductory objective or summary

When choosing between a professional summary or a resume objective, you need to consider your experience and background. 

  • A resume objective is the best way to give an overview of the skills you possess from your education and your experiences. Moreover, it should include your career goals and aspirations. 
  • A resume summary is a more suitable option to outline your skills and work experience. 

Whichever format you decide on, both types of introduction need to be short and precise.

The length of this content should not exceed more than three or four sentences. They should be enough to paint a good picture of you as a qualified potential candidate.

You might consider using a generative AI chatbot like ChatGPT to help you write your resume introduction. You can give the bot a word limit if you are struggling to fit in all the information you want to include. Just make sure you edit the introduction afterward to sound like you.

Help Desk Resume Summary Example

These opening few lines may open endless job opportunities for you, therefore use them wisely. 

How can you catch the recruiter’s attention? 

Study the requirements listed in the help desk job description and try to reflect them by using industry keywords in your introduction

Communicate your value and make the recruiter aware of how hiring you would benefit the company. Use strong, active language to sell your strengths and achievements.

A professional summary should include your current role and how many years of experience you have, along with a metric or two that demonstrates one or more important accomplishments. 

Here is an example of a weak resume summary for Help Desk application.

Wrong ❌

Enthusiastic help desk analyst looking to gain experience and use personal skills to serve the company’s best interests.

This example is poor because it is overly vague and does not convey any specific skills, experiences, or achievements that would make the candidate stand out as a Help Desk Specialist. 

It relies on generic terms like “enthusiastic” and “personal skills,” which don’t give a clear picture of the candidate’s qualifications. 

Additionally, it mentions the desire to “gain experience,” which could potentially signal to employers that the candidate is not yet qualified for the role.

A good Help Desk resume summary should be written more like this:

Right ✅

Knowledgeable and expert IT professional, with over 7 years of customer support experience, seeking an opportunity to deliver training as a Help Desk Support Specialist. Skilled in providing customer and end-user help desk support by identifying and resolving IT issues in both Microsoft and Apple operating systems. 98% of incident tickets were completed to client satisfaction and within company’s specified time limit.

Highlighting over 7 years of experience in the field, the summary efficiently outlines the candidate’s strong skill set, including familiarity with a variety of operating systems and software packages. 

Moreover, it showcases their customer support background and ability to troubleshoot IT issues, effectively presenting a candidate eager and equipped to contribute as a Help Desk support specialist. 

That final sentence also includes a metric which confidently displays their achievements in client satisfaction and time-management.

How to Write an Entry-Level Help Desk Resume Objective

Preparing a captivating Help Desk Analyst resume objective may be challenging for some, but we have just the advice you need.

First off, remember that the objective should illustrate what you can contribute to the company. 

This is the information that should be included: 

  • Your motivation for applying
  • Name the software you are proficient in
  • Provide information on your education and certifications
  • Underline what actions you can contribute to the company, perhaps gained from an internship experience, your schooling, or personal programming projects.

Get the recruiter to notice you by using industry terminology and keywords.

Look at the job description and make sure your statement fulfills it.

Entry-Level Help Desk Objective Example

Below is an example of a help desk analyst resume objective to give you an idea of the direction in which you should be heading with yours:

Right ✅

Highly motivated IT graduate seeking a position in a challenging helpdesk environment. Strong communication skills and solid knowledge of Microsoft operating systems and software packages. Looking for an opportunity to put my technical problem-solving skills to use at XYZ company.

The resume objective concisely outlines the candidate’s strengths including skills, as well as their foundation in operating systems and software packages. 

It also conveys ambition and a readiness to grow professionally, emphasizing a desire to use their technical problem-solving skills in a challenging environment. 

This paints the candidate as motivated and eager to leverage their foundational knowledge in a substantive role

How to Describe Your Help Desk Experience

Help desk candidates must remember that content is king when it comes to compiling a resume, regardless of the quantity. 

IT support services encompass a selection of skills that are used in different support jobs in the industry, such as analytical skills, effective communication, the ability to learn quickly, etc. Reflect on skills you possess that you should present in the experience section of your resume. 

To offer you some help, read the useful tips below to understand what an experience section should include:

  • Link the qualifications given in the help desk analyst job description to your experience in a skillful way.
  • Use a reverse-chronological resume format to list your work experience from the most current position backward.
  • When presenting your accomplishments, always use bullet points. Paragraphs appear too heavy for this type of information. Give a clear overview of your experience in no more than five bullet points.
  • When writing the experience section, provide information about the previous employment. Name the company that employed you, the position you held there, and the employment duration.
  • Simply listing your experience won’t do! Use action verbs to describe your tasks and achievements, and keywords to add texture to your descriptions. 

Help Desk Resume Examples: Experience

Being a help desk support specialist requires providing technical assistance to users. 

Remember to align your experience with the qualifications required by the company.

When preparing a Help Desk Support Specialist resume, you might want to include core competencies like the ability to deploy, configure, and support operating systems on mobile and desktop, a quick-thinking and resourceful nature, and an understanding of information security in user devices and systems.

Here is what your experience section should look like:

Right ✅

EXPERIENCE

Help Desk Technician

Illinois Office of Inspector General, Chicago, IL

2021 – present

  • Managed over 10,000 help desk tickets via JIRA, maintaining a detailed equipment inventory using ServiceNow.
  • Reduced system downtime by 30% through expert troubleshooting utilizing Windows Troubleshooter and Remote Desktop.
  • Elevated customer satisfaction by 25% by offering responsive help desk support and fostering positive customer relationships.
  • Consistently exceeded customer satisfaction targets through proactive and adept problem-solving.

Entry-Level Help Desk Resume: Experience Section

Entering the job market as a beginner is not easy. Candidates lack the confidence they need to go up against experience in a rather competitive job market industry. 

The good news is there are cases when companies have chosen to hire entry-level candidates for their fresh views on the industry and the ability to train them from scratch.

When brainstorming your experience section, think back to all the situations when your help was needed with tech support. 

Perhaps you volunteered to maintain the computer network for a local organization? Or did you complete an internship in the IT sector?

These early experiences can shape us for our future careers and you should link them to the job you are applying for. Let us look at an example of how to do this.

Example
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Experience

IT Intern XYZ 

School District, Jackson, USA 2021 – 2022

  • Supported daily IT operations for a 30-person team, ensuring smooth hardware and software functioning through basic troubleshooting.
  • Managed user accounts in Microsoft Active Directory, facilitating new user setups and appropriate access controls.
  • Aided in IT equipment inventory and budget management, contributing to efficient procurement processes.
  • Created a user-friendly guide to common IT issues, reducing IT department workload by empowering users to solve basic problems.

Is Your Education Section Troubleshooted? It Might Be

Working in IT support demands up-to-date knowledge due to rapid technological advancements. Educational expectations vary based on the role and company. 

For instance, larger software companies often require a bachelor’s degree, while technical roles might need specialized degrees in engineering or IT. 

Beyond formal education, recruiters value relevant certifications, which validate expertise in specific products or systems. Before applying, research a company’s tech stack and seek related certifications. 

Staying informed in the IT landscape, not just relying on experience, can make the difference in landing your desired position.

Help Desk Resume Education Section Example

Now that you know education requirements vary between positions and companies, do a little research on the company you are applying to. 

Review the job description and try to match your qualifications to the ones listed. Include any relevant projects or coursework that can strengthen your application.

To help you understand what the education section should look like, take a look at the below example:

Example
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Education

BSc. Degree in Computer Information Systems 

NYC College, New York, NY

2022 

GPA: 3.9

  • Member of Math Society. 
  • Final year project: led the update of computer systems at a local community centre as well as training users.

You can also include any extracurricular activities that might be relevant to the job, such as any technology competitions you might have entered or won at your college or school.

💡 top tip

If you have developed any AI skills at college that you can include on your resume, now is the time to show them off. There is a skills gap in the IT sector, so AI skills are in demand!

The Best Help Desk Skills for a Resume

Help desk support employees trace and detect unexpected problems and then create apt solutions for them. Due to the nature of the job—help desk—patience is a necessary virtue. 

Working with a large number of teams requires them to be calm and able to communicate with all types of clients.

Some of the most important qualities these employees should have include:

  • Listening skills—This skill is high on the list. If support teams don’t understand the customer’s problem, then they won’t be able to fix it. Careful listening encourages asking the right questions to clarify a certain situation. Make sure you demonstrate your active listening skills in your resume.
  • Customer-service skills—Getting calls from users frustrated with the hardware or software is not easy, which is why a help desk specialist needs to be patient and sympathetic with all clients. 
  • Speaking skills—Not everyone understands technical language and support teams need to explain the solution in the simplest terms possible, so the users understand it. 
  • Problem-solving skills—You must know how to locate the problem, analyze it, and offer a solution.

For roles within IT, it can be beneficial to list the software you are proficient in and technical skills you have at the top of your resume, just after the opening summary or objective. Recruiters will need to know this information first.

Find all the key hard and soft skills future help desk employees are looking for below.

Soft Skills

  • Problem-solving
  • Collaboration skills
  • Multi-tasking
  • Meticulousness
  • Empathy
  • Organizational skills
  • Active listening
  • Critical thinking

Hard Skills

  • Technical Support
  • Computer Literacy
  • Google Suite
  • Microsoft App Knowledge
  • Email Support
  • Database Management (Apache Hive, Elasticsearch, MongoDB, Oracle PL/SQL)
  • User Interface and Query Software Proficiency (Amazon Redshift, Blackboard, ServiceNow, Transact-SQL)
  • Experience with Development Environment Software (Apache Kafka, Apache Maven, Microsoft .NET Framework, Microsoft PowerShell)
  • Operating System Expertise (Apple iOS, Bash, Microsoft Windows Server, UNIX Shell)
  • Web Platform Development (Django, Google Angular, Microsoft ASP.NET, Spring Framework)

Select the best help desk resume skills that reflect those given in the job description. These skills have to reflect your proficiency in the job at hand. Don’t try to oversell your skills—recruiters have a nose for lies that appear on resumes

How to Add Other Sections for an Effective Resume

Extra sections can give recruiters an idea of who the candidate is outside their academic and professional profile. 

Again, when thinking about what to put in this section, always connect the information to the job you are applying for.

Give an overview of projects you have completed and industry organizations you belong to. If you haven’t listed your certifications in the the education section, you can create a subheading to list them here.

Help Desk Resume Samples: “Other” Sections

Below is an example of how you might include extra sections. Remember that any certifications or volunteer work should also be listed in reverse chronological order.

Example
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Continued learning

  • Completed various engineering and IT courses, focusing on network management and data security, XYZ University, 2019-2021
  • ITIL Foundation Certification, awarded by AXELOS Global Best Practice, 2020
  • Microsoft Certified: Windows Server Fundamentals, Microsoft, 2021

>> Languages <<

Fluent in English, Italian, and German, offering a strong advantage in multilingual IT support environments

>> Personal Interests and Endeavors <<

Regular participant in community tennis and basketball leagues, demonstrating teamwork and leadership capabilities

Checklist to Keep in Mind

If you have followed all the instructions we have provided in the guide above, you should have no trouble creating an impressive Help Desk resume.

Go through our key takeaways to make sure that you have covered all the aspects for updating your resume:

  • Use a professional font and strong keywords to attract the recruiter’s attention when presenting yourself.
  • Choose the reverse-chronology resume format as the best form of presenting your professional experience.
  • Write a strong resume objective or summary to introduce yourself
  • Use the experience section to emphasize your accomplishments and the impact that you made in any of your previous positions.
  • Include the skills that highlight your strengths, talents, and software proficiency
  • Use Extra Sections to present projects, continued learning, and other information relevant to the application.
  • List all your degrees, licenses, and certificates that will make you stand out in the crowd 

Don’t forget to check out our other resume examples and a variety of modern and professional templates to help you make your own!

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