Write a Successful Desktop Support Resume in 10 Steps (+ Examples)

desktop support resume sample
Created by Cake

As desktop support, you will be:  

  • troubleshooting hardware and software problems
  • resolving user questions in regard to technical issues
  • assisting with product updates and network connections

To excel in the tasks above, you will want to have a strong IT background with confident customer service skills. 

Another profession that requires the strengths of desktop support is a help desk. While they might seem very similar, a help desk differs from a desktop support in many ways. Generally, a help desk is a general, first point of contact that guides users to where to go for solutions while desktop support is specifically for office equipment and end-users. 

With a professional desktop support resume, you will be able to get a desktop support job and take on these support requests and help more clients in continuing with their daily activities. Be prepared to install our key pieces of advice into your mind for a successful desktop support resume.  

Step 1: Pick the best layout for your desktop support resume.

🖋 How long should a desktop support resume be?

Keep your desktop support resume concise by limiting it to a page long. The only case where it should go beyond one page is when you are highly experienced and looking to apply for an upper-level desktop support position. 

🖋 What is the best font to use for a desktop support resume?

While there isn’t a specific font you must use, choose one that is simple and easy-to-read for your desktop support resume, such as Calibri or Roboto (with font size 10-12 pt.). 

🖋 What is the standard margin for a desktop support resume?

Keep the margins for your desktop support resume to one inch on all four sides. 

🖋 What spacing should a desktop support resume be in?

The line spacing throughout your desktop support resume should be adjusted to 1.15 while the headings should be set to 2.0. 

🖋 What format should a desktop support resume be in?

Generally, employers will expect your desktop support resume in a pdf file to ensure that the document can open up smoothly. Alternatively, some employers may ask for your desktop support resume doc in word format.

Step 2: Choose the right desktop support resume format.

The format of your resume for a desktop support engineer role can greatly affect the employer’s first impression of you due to how the contents are presented. 

  • The chronological resume format:
    • work experience listed in reverse chronological order. 
    • emphasis on your professional experience and job-related accomplishments. 
  • The functional resume format:
    • emphasis on your skills and skill-related accomplishments. 
    • recommended if you have employment gaps or limited work experience. 
  • The combinational resume format:
    • experiences listed in reverse chronological order.
    • emphasis on both your skills and experience.
    • recommended if you are experienced and skilled in a wide range of areas.

📝 Based on your situation, carefully select one of the three resume formats from above for your desktop support resume. 

Step 3: Start with contact information and basic personal details.

Knowing what to include and what not to include for your desktop support resume profile is crucial for a solid introduction. 

You should include these:

  • Your Full Name
  • Professional Title
  • Email Address
  • Phone Number
  • Address (optional)
  • LinkedIn URL (optional)
  • Personal Website (optional)

You should not include these:

  • Date of Birth
  • Sexual Orientation 
  • Race
  • Religion
  • Marital Status
  • Salary 

Step 4: Create an intriguing desktop support resume title.

The title, also known as a headline, of your desktop support engineer resume is a one-line phrase that gives the employer an idea of what you can achieve. The first letters of each word in your resume headline should be capitalized, and it features some of your most captivating abilities as a desktop support engineer to keep the employers intrigued enough to review the rest of your resume. 

✅ 1. Capitalize the first letters of each word of your desktop support resume title.  

To draw the employers’ attention to your resume headline, capitalize the first letters of the words in the headline except for articles, coordinating conjunctions, and prepositions. 

✅ 2. Place your resume headline for a desktop support engineer. 

Just like the name, you will want to input your resume headline at the beginning of your desktop support resume. It can be placed above your personal information, resume summary or career objective. 

✅ 3. Stand out by featuring your desktop support certifications or licenses in the resume headline.

Whether you are creating your very first desktop support resume, or a desktop support manager resume, incorporating verified skills achievements can elevate your chances with employers. 

Desktop Support Resume Headline Examples: 

  • MCDST-Certified Desktop Support Specialist Focused on Fully Assisting Clients
  • IT Desktop Support Who Improved Issues Resolved in the First Call by 20%
  • Goal-Oriented  Microsoft 365 Certified Desktop Support Technician

Step 5: Craft a good desktop support resume summary.

The desktop support engineer profile summary is, ideally, a two-line extension to your resume headline. Your goal is to display to the employer your strongest fortes and the overall content of your desktop support resume. 

✅ 1. Begin your desktop support engineer profile summary with a compelling adjective

Are you a quick-thinking problem solver, a strategic thinker, or an empathetic helper? Think of the most fitting adjective that describes you to start your desktop support resume summary. 

✅ 2. Think of any accomplishment that is relevant to the desktop support job. 

There is no limit to what type of strengths you can include in your desktop support analyst resume. From soft skills to certifications and awards, to past experiences, impress the employer with the diversity in your resume summary. 

✅ 3. Typos on your desktop support resume are worse than technical errors.  

Keep your desktop support resume professional by ridding the document of errors. Show that you are capable of eliminating problems, especially the ones that are easily overlooked. 

Alternatively, you can create a career objective, which is very similar to a resume summary. The distinction here is that a resume objective has additional information of what you plan to accomplish once you obtain the position. If you are a fresh graduate or you have limited experience that pertains to the desktop support job, you might find that a career objective will be more beneficial for your desktop support resume.   

Desktop Support Resume Summary Examples: 

  • Client-oriented desktop support who received an average client satisfaction rate of 99%. Expert in diagnosing technical issues, providing quick solutions, and preparing long-term assistance to prevent repetitive malfunctioning. 
  • Dedicated IT desktop support with 5+ years of experience troubleshooting connection issues, upgrading hardware systems, and assisting with system and office equipment. Skilled in Linux OS, Mac OS, Windows OS.  
  • VMware-certified desktop support proficient in managing windows server, VPN, and computer hardware systems. Highly experienced in providing clients quick-thinking yet effective solutions.

Step 6: Include skills and abilities relevant to the position. 

In the skill section of your desktop support engineer resume, you need to present what you are knowledgeable in specifically for the employers to determine if you are the right candidate. 

As you create a list of desktop support skills for your resume, consider one of the following four ways to arrange the skills: 

  • A bulleted list: 
    • skills listed in bullet points.
    • gets straight to the point.
  • An expanded bulleted list:
    • skills in bullet points with additional details.
    • provides context for employers to understand how you applied the skills.
  • Integrating skills with work experience:
    • skills mentioned in each work experience entry.
    • shows professionally how you specifically applied the skills at work.
    • recommended for experienced applicants.
  • A categorized skills section:
    • skills mentioned in the skill section with categorization. 
    • helps show skills that are related.
    • recommended for applicants with a wide range of skills.

Desktop Support Resume Skills Examples: 

Hard skills

  • Basic Coding
  • JavaScript
  • Ticket Support
  • Microsoft SQL Server
  • Remote Software
  • Backup Software
  • Network Connection
  • LAN/WAN
  • Cyber Securing 
  • PC/Mac

Soft skills

  • Quick Learner
  • Observant
  • Detailed
  • Customer Services
  • Communication
  • Collaborative
  • Engaging
  • Committed
  • Accurate
  • Reliable 

Step 7: Highlight your best experience and accomplishments. 

Your work experience as a desktop support on your resume directly shows the employer where you have gained exposure throughout past relevant activities.

5 essential elements you will want to include for each work experience you provide: 

1. Name of the organization/company

2. Location of the organization/company

3. Your professional title during the position

4. Start and end dates (month/year)

5. Short descriptions of your achievement in the role

✅ 1. Match the desktop support job description with your experience on the resume.  

Show the employer that you are made for the position by including experience that matches the desktop support job description.

✅ 2. Strengthen your experience descriptions with numbers. 

From the number of clients you assist per day to your average first call resolution rate, the numbers show the employers your dedication to your work.

✅ 3. Action verbs help portray how you directly made an impact during the time.  

Systemized, diagnosed, and repaired are just a few of the many action verbs you could incorporate into your desktop support technician resume.  

Desktop Support Resume Work Experience Examples: 

Desktop Support Manager | Geek Squad, Nevada
Jan 2014 - Jun 2016

  • Supervised and undertook unresolved client issues, improving client satisfaction by 48%.
  • Ensured protocols are running smoothly daily, weekly, and monthly for quality and efficiency. 

Desktop Support Specialist | Bask, Washington
Jan 2013 - Dec 2013

  • Offered technical support to 200+ clients per day on both PCs and Macs. 
  • Performed troubleshooting for hard drive malfunctions, connection issues, and display errors. 

Step 8: List your educational background.

For your desktop support resume education section, there are 5 elements to incorporate for each degree you provide:  

1. Type of degree

2. Major

3. The starting year and ending year of education 

4. School name

5. Honors, awards, GPA, or minor (additionally: licenses/certificates)

If you are a recent graduate or plan to apply for your first desktop support role, you will want to place your educational accomplishments at the beginning of your desktop support resume (right below the objective/summary section).

Alternatively, if you already have many years of experience, you will want to incorporate your educational accomplishments at the bottom of your desktop support resume (right below your work experience section). 

Below are examples of how to list your education for three special cases: 

Examples of how to list your education for three special cases: 

  • High school education:
    • skip this step if you have higher education degrees to provide.
    • Brookville High School for Information Technology (CA, U.S.)
      • 2012 - 2014
      • GPA: 3.96
      • President of National Honors Society 
  • Education in process:
    • include “in progress” or “expected to graduate in (year)”.
    • ex: B.S. in CS and Engineering, MIT (Expected to graduate in 2025)
      • VP of Student Information Processing Board
  • Incomplete education:  
    • include credits earned or experience earned.
    • ex: Institute of Information Technology, AM University (2013 - 2014)
      • Completed 36 credits towards a B.S. in IT

Step 9: Add an extra section to highlight personal traits.

There are five additional features you can add to your desktop support resume for enhancement.

  • Hobbies and interests:
    • included in an “areas of interest” section.
    • best for fresh graduates.
    • example: building app software.
  • Volunteer work:
    • included within “work experience” section or an additional information section.
    • example: It help desk volunteer at Free Geek.
  • Certification and awards:
    • especially ones related to desktop support duties.
    • example: CompTIA A+.
  • Projects:
    • example: Iowa University End User Support Project Plan.
  • References:
    • example: Mr. Francis Snyder | former supervisor | IT Services Department at ABC Corp.

Step 10: Craft a convincing desktop support cover letter.

  • Contact Details:
    • Your Full Name
    • Email Address
    • Mobile Number
    • Address and LinkedIn URL (Optional)
  • Introduction: politely greet the employer for a pleasant start. 
  • Motivation: explain what drew you to the organization and what attracted you to the specific desktop support position.   
  • Qualification: elaborate on why the employer should pick you with a few experience examples that portray your strengths. 
  • Closing: conclude with a strong finale by including any additional documents, such as portfolios, projects, or certifications.   

Having this desktop support resume writing guide can lead you to the successful route for an IT career path. Additionally, desktop support resume examples and templates can provide you a stronger idea of what to put in your resume (especially if this is your first time writing one).

📚 Further reading: The Cover Letter to Land Your Dream Job

Desktop support resume sample

Lowell Maw 

HDI-DAST-Certified Specialist Devoted to Providing Quick-Thinking Solutions for Clients

205 Winter Ave., Cambridge, MA 02139
(373)-463-2372
[email protected]
linkedin.com/in/lmaw

Summary

Dedicated desktop support specialist with 4+ years of experience resolving client technical issues within the first call. Knowledgeable in repairing both hardware and software malfunctions.   

Work Experience

Desktop Support Technician
Tech Squad
Jan 2014 - Jun 2016

  • Resolved client hardware and software issues within the first call to ensure client satisfaction, saving $30k within a year.  
  • Ensured protocols are running smoothly and efficiently daily, weekly, and monthly. 
  • Diagnosed 430+ devices per week for users throughout the state.  

Desktop Support Specialist
IP Support 
Jan 2013 - Dec 2013

  • Offered technical support to 300+ clients per day on both PCs and Macs. 
  • Performed troubleshooting for hard drive malfunctions, connection issues, and display errors.  
  • Educated clients about technical information in easy-to-understand terms. 

Skills

Hard Skills:

  • Troubleshooting
  • Web Support
  • Hardware
  • Software
  • Application Support
  • Debugging
  • Installing Systems
  • Ticketing Systems
  • PC/Mac
  • Phone Etiquette

Soft Skills:

  • Patience
  • Critical Thinking
  • Problem Solving
  • Customer Service 
  • Teamwork
  • Positive Attitude
  • Clear Communication
  • Punctual
  • Organized
  • Friendly

Certifications

  • HDI Desktop Advanced Support Technician (HDI-DAST)
  • Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician (MCDST)

Education

B.S. in Computer Science and Engineering
MIT
2010 - 2014

  • GPA: 3.88
  • Class of Honors

Cake provides the best resume making tools & templates to help you create the perfect desktop support resume. Take your career journey to new heights - create a desktop support resume online (free download) now!

--- Originally written by Jessica Sun ---


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