1

I need to hire a talented IT tech that can go to the customers location. I have advertised on Indeed, Linked-In, Monster, Zip Recruiter in the past. I have let my contacts know I need help. The only responses I get are out of town / country people applying to do remote work. The very first line and entire description talks about doing on site work.
Your wisdom and guidance are greatly appreciated.

7 Spice ups
2

Ive used Indeed and LinkedIn, Had more luck with Indeed. Still had to filter through a lot of responses.

4 Spice ups
3

Have you tried your local sources? I know newspapers are pretty outdated, but what about local-only online boards?

1 Spice up
4

Seems like folks think IT is a remote-only kind of job these days. I get it, to an extent it is true. However if you have to swap out switches/firewalls/servers gear, sometimes you gots to have boots on the ground.

I’d have thought Linkedin would give you good results.
I’ve used technical recruiters before from Robert-Half and TekSystems

2 Spice ups
5

Just for the sake of completeness, as this probably won’t help with the amount of distant randos you’re getting but might help get you noticed if anyone is nearby: is the pay scale listed, and do you know how well it stacks up compared to local rates?

As someone in IT who likes his job but would consider hopping for the right opportunity–hopefully it doesn’t come across as crass, but pay would be the big one. I like my current work environment a lot, but my responsibilities go beyond just my own job satisfaction.

That, and how detailed is the job description? If by some chance you’re trying to snag people who like where they are already, it definitely helps to have as much information going in as possible.

2 Spice ups
6

I have in the past. I haven’t in many years. Local colleges and the “career” centers. They always sent me totally unskilled people. Literally one was a forklift driver with no IT experience, most were “interns” for me to train. Unfortunately, I am a 1 man band (I have a part time evening remote tech that is great). I don’t have time to train someone from the ground up.

1 Spice up
7

@ooaverage hits a couple of great points regarding your posts. Are you giving enough detail and posting the pay scale? A lot of your out of town hits might vanish if they realize how entry-level your need is.

8

I don’t know what my competition pays. I do know when I tell people how much I am offering, they all ask if I will hire them, no matter what their current job is. People from New York and LA apply, so I know if they think the money is good, it has to be for the Springfield Missouri area. $27 with 1 year experience. I agree with the pay and I don’t want Turkeys or those that job hop for 25 cents, so I have always offered more than the “minimum”.
As for the description, I have changed it up over the last 10 years to be sure it wasn’t me. I state the service end et al. Too long to post here.
I will go though the Feb one again and compare it to the others from 2015 to now.

2 Spice ups
9

I do appreciate all of your suggestions. Here is my request, please write what you put in an ad or would want in an ad.

Here is what I have posted on Linked In

This job requires you to work at the customers place of business. This is NOT a remote job! You MUST live in the area.

Job hours are Monday through Friday noon to 4:00 and can be adjusted based on your availability. HOWEVER it is during client business hours.

Pay starts at $20 for a minimum of one year of prior experience.
You will be building and repairing computers. Working on laptops, servers, Peer-to-peer and domain networks. Installing updating and configuring switches, routers, camera’s, WAP’s et al.

Technical skills needed:
Working knowledge of Windows 10 and 11 beyond the typical end user.
Working knowledge of PC hardware and software diagnosis for field (at customer site) work and shop work.
Working knowledge of Microsoft domains based on Windows Server 2008, 2012.
The ability to correctly document issues when arriving (even if same as reported on initial customer contact) and document all work done even if it was testing, trial and error or standard troubleshooting. Ability to document all time that was spent on a job and the parts (hardware and software) used in service.

Personality skills:
Ability to work with frustrated and even angry customers by keeping a cool head and acknowledging the customers grievances whether against the technician, our company or over a malfunctioning computer, printer or software program.
Ability to communicate in layman’s terms what is happening and or what repairs are going on or are needed.

Certifications needed:
A+, Network +

Certifications that would help:
Security +
Server +
MSCE or MCSA

Note: “Book” or “paper” certifications are worthless, verifiable skills are required.

1 Spice up
10

While I don’t live in the US, this advert would rule me out, but I’d bet i can run circles around anyone you do hire.

It seems this person may be solo most if not all of their time. So their skillset needs to be vast, is what you’re offering sufficient?

Your advert is also quite forceful and demanding, as well as dismissive of those who can do the job, but do not meet your NEEDED requirements.

Moreover, if this is how it comes over in writing, in person could be even more negative.

I’m actually surprised you even got replies.

I’m trying not to be harsh here, but your wording, your caps such as NOT and your certificates ‘needed’ is limiting. I expect the people who have replied, have done so in the hope there is some movement in your post.

A very simplistic version I might use.

We’re looking for a reliable and skilled IT Field Technician to join our team and support local businesses with their technology needs. This is an on-site role , so candidates must be based in the area and available to work during standard business hours.

Duties would include:
* Building, repairing, and upgrading desktops, laptops, and servers
* Supporting peer-to-peer and domain-based networks
* Installing and configuring switches, routers, wireless access points, and IP cameras
* Diagnosing and resolving hardware and software issues both in the field and in the workshop
* Documenting work clearly and thoroughly, including time spent and parts used

Your skills
* Solid working knowledge of Windows 10 and 11
* Experience with Microsoft domains (Windows Server 2008/2012)
* Strong troubleshooting skills and attention to detail
* Ability to communicate clearly with both technical and non-technical users
* A calm, professional demeanor when working with frustrated or stressed clients

Ideally you should have one of the below or better:
A+, Network+

Higher certifications would be an advantage.

We value **real-world experience** and practical skills over paper qualifications. If you’re passionate about IT, enjoy solving problems, and want to work in a supportive, hands-on environment, we’d love to hear from you.

I’m not going to rewrite it for you, but if certificates are your focus, I wouldn’t be able to apply.

Be mindful of this.

I hope it helps, and again, my reply is not meant to be negative, it’s aimed at helping you.

I have no formal IT qualifications - doesn’t mean we can’t do the job.

7 Spice ups
11

I will also add that you’re looking for someone who understand legacy OSes, that rules out most younger generation too, and while this may be necessity, the aim would be to get to modern setups, where the younger age bracket may be a better fit.

6 Spice ups
12

My shop requires an on-site person because we have about 100 remote sites that need an in-person presence from time to time. Three years ago, I had a major influx of applicants for an open IT Specialist role. And from that group, I caught a unicorn.

This month, I’ve had to fill a position on my team (not my unicorn, he’s still here thank G-d). I had two applicants, both with “book” experience in IT. We wound up hiring one of them, knowing he would need extensive practical training. Unfortunately, that’s the nature of the world now.

Support services can’t be done remotely.

3 Spice ups
13

Hoping your new report picks up on the support needs quickly and you don’t have to do too much hand-holding!

14

I am part of an organization that organizes hackathons and other IT related events and competitions.
In my city, this is the place to look for IT talent.
This means you know what you get, but they also know what they are worth. Don’t even try to lowball them with the salary.

2 Spice ups
15

Twenty hours a week in the middle of the day for twenty an hour is twenty grand a year, and many part time gigs don’t offer benefits. Most of us need full time hours. You want a bunch of certs and experience- you better think about raising the pay rate closer to $30 and adjusting the hours since someone would have a tough time working a second job and anyone with that experience probably won’t be working outside IT.

1 Spice up
16

What city is this for? I would hope that any MCSE qualified person would be able to do much better than $20/hr., but I don’t know what you can get away with. I know when I was making $40/hr I was billed out at $125 which definitely didn’t feel right, but I tried not to think about it. When your employees find out you’re billing 5x what you’re paying them, they will have no loyalty and you shouldn’t be surprised when the revolving door eats your lunch.

1 Spice up
17

IT skills can be learned on the job. Customer service and the ability to pick up skills is more important IMO. Hopefully you’ve got good documentation for processes and common issues. Outline is free if you host it yourself.

I’d probably ask AI to help rewrite it and clear up some points, like, is it $20 an hour, a day or a year?
Mention the team they’ll be working in and who they’ll be supporting.

You’ll always get hopefully applicants who think you’ll bend the rules for them.

When I started my first job I’d just finished my degree and hadn’t touched AD/Office 365. Nowadays I’m always picking up new skills and troubleshooting with my good friends YouTube, Google and of course Spiceworks.

2 Spice ups
18

I don’t know your local parlance, however, I would’ve said Noon to 16:00 - to make it clear it’s 4hrs a day and not 16hrs a day.
Then - as far as I can see, it’s a fairly crap gig - you’re wanting experienced IT to work part time hours in the middle of the day where there’s little/no chance of getting other part time work to pad it out to a living wage - no idea of your hourly rate, be it good/bad but over here £20k pa wouldn’t cut it so I seriously doubt $20k pa would over yonder.
IF it was possible to do some remotely then it might just work for someone.

Then, as others have said - your insistence on certs is another limiting factor - I could do all you wanted and more - but I have no certs.

I think you may have to look at the role and revise what’s wanted with what’s available.

3 Spice ups