I've been on the hunt for my next Help Desk role, and I can't believe the requirements I keep seeing. It feels like the job postings are written for candidates who simply don't exist! For example, I've come across listings that say they want a Bachelor's degree (Masters preferred!), at least five years of IT experience, and a long list of certifications like CompTIA A+, Network+, Security+, MCSA, MCSE, and ITIL. The salary offered is around $55,000 - $60,000. Who realistically has five years of experience and is still willing to reset passwords? What is happening with the hiring process?
4 Answers
It seems like hiring managers just want the moon these days! It's likely that they're trying to lure in folks who used to have more senior roles but have fallen on hard times. They probably know the job market is rough and are hoping to attract those let go from good positions. My bet is that they're fishing for overqualified candidates who are desperate enough to apply.
And honestly, if I was nearing retirement, I wouldn't mind doing helpdesk for the last stretch just to coast.
I’ve heard that many of these job postings might not even be legitimate. Some companies are just trying to gather personal data from applicants. But if the requirements seem off, definitely throw your hat in the ring anyway. There’s a chance they might not be as strict in practice as they look on paper.
That's kind of a scary thought—fake job ads just to collect info. But you’re right, you never know until you apply!
It could also be that they want to combine helpdesk with sysadmin work, which changes the whole game.
Totally get where you're coming from! Some people might claim to have five years of experience, but in reality, they might just be repeating the same tasks for years. It's not uncommon to find people stuck in the same role without really evolving their skills.
It's wild! I guess they count every year, even if it's just the same old stuff.
You'd actually be surprised! Many people stick to helpdesk roles for years without moving up. It’s all good if that's what they want to do, I guess? But it definitely raises questions about these job requirements.
Some people just prefer stability over climbing the career ladder.
Yeah, it feels like they want recently fired sysadmins instead of entry-level helpdesk techs.