One might rightly conclude, based on what is portrayed in the media, that being a qualified IT technician requires years of study, a mad scientist personality, and a room full of strange gadgets. Nothing could be further from the truth. Some of the most competent and effective IT professionals don’t go out of their way to advertise their talent, mainly because what they do isn’t always “technical.”
What you will undoubtedly find most common among effective IT pros is a capacity for problem-solving and the experience to know the difference between the obvious quick fix and the innovative actual solution.
“That’s Funny”
Discovery in technology almost never happens immediately before or after someone shouts “Eureka!” On the contrary, it usually happens after someone mutters “That’s funny.” One of the things IT pros will tell you is almost every permanent solution to a problem is also preceded by the operating system throwing urgent and breathless warnings on the screen.
Ultimately, understanding this is one of the major keys to being good at solving technology problems. It is nine parts stubbornness and one part experience that gets a technical professional from a problem that seems impossible to solve and the “I knew it” solution. The technician who exhibits these qualities is the one you want solving your problems.
Obsessive Curiosity
Technological curiosity is what led most IT pros into the business in the first place. Computer people are obsessive tinkerers, often taking something apart just to see if they can put it back together. They don’t limit their experience to any particular kind of computer because they aren’t interested in office politics or advertising their self-proclaimed intelligence in a conference room. They just want to know how it works.
Those are the people you want to seek out if you are up against a particularly tough problem because it is likely they have either observed the problem in the past and/or fixed it. They may not know all the details of how to fix the problem on your particular machine, but they definitely won’t have to start from scratching their heads.
Jargon Optional
Good IT Professionals speak human. This is a vital thing to remember, because if the guy you hired to fix your computer can’t start or finish a sentence without the words “robust” “paradigm” or “gamification” the chances you will understand his explanation for why it still doesn’t work after three weeks of work are quite low.
What you do want is a professional who can translate complex technical issues into terms the average person can understand. Auto mechanics have been doing this for 100 years, so there is no reason the average IT guy can’t learn to do the same thing. You will be able to spot this early in your communications so be certain to watch for it.
Computers are complex enough without introducing all kinds of nerdy wordy nonsense into the process of keeping them working. This is a problem most small-to-medium-sized businesses have long since solved with common sense policies like “no more jargon” and standardized approaches to security, data management, and planning. Find the people who subscribe to the same kinds of policies and you’ll be that much closer to finding a real IT professional.
It is always a good idea to seek out IT Support companies like Magnify247.com when you are looking for competent technical advice, as they are among a small number of firms with the experience and knowledge to advise you on the best course of action when it comes to your technology needs.
If you are having any issues or questions about your computer, then contact us today!
