Passion for technology
Big IT names aren’t just interested in hiring knowledgeable technical professionals with the right experience, a lot of them are eager to hire passionate technologists. In fact, exhibiting a thirst for knowledge and curiosity for tech is so important that nearly every hiring manager you will interact with will try to gauge your enthusiasm for technology.
Next time you interview for a position, share more insight and detail into the projects you have worked on. A technically proficient NOC engineer can say what tool they used to remediate an issue, but a passionate NOC professional will explain their approach, interactions, and their reasons for selecting a specific solution.
Great communication skills
For engineers to be successful over the course of their careers, communication skills are just as important as technical skills. For IT managers tasked with leading projects, communication becomes even more critical. Nearly every element of a manager’s job involves maintaining good, transparent communication.
I want to pause to define “communication skills” as anything that has to do with communication, including writing, speaking, and listening. An engineer who is working in a team on an important project and doesn’t listen well will create written reports that are unclear and unorganized, potentially contributing to project inefficiency, wasted effort, and mistrust. Not many people would want to hire or work with someone like that.
Customer service skills
Great customer service is the holy grail of all MSP businesses. Once you have it, it has the power to reveal all the secrets of success. Providing flawless service, however, is not always easy. It’s challenging because it isn’t just a single skill that can be learned or sharpened. Mentioned below are much needed attributes to achieve what we call “great customer service.”
- Persuasive Speaking: Persuasion has long been recognized as an important sales skill, but it can also be invaluable during customer interactions.
- Empathy: No list of good customer service skills is complete without empathy – an ability to understand your client’s emotions, understanding their point of view.
- Self-Control: In a world where a single negative LinkedIn post about your MSP has as much impact on buyer decisions as five positive ones, you need to remain calm even when attacked, positive when faced with pessimism, and professional when a customer gets personal.
- Accountability: How you solve an issue is just as important as providing a solution. The key is to take responsibility for your actions.
- Attentiveness: Surprise your customers by being fully present and turning your complete attention to their pressing needs.
- Time Management: Putting a customer on the back-burner, even for a few minutes, may cost an MSP their business.
Adaptability to change and adapt
Adaptability is not just about changing your skills or adjusting to a crisis. It encompasses being able to effect change with a willingness to improve and add more to your knowledge repertoire. Being open to improvement is a behavioral skill any good IT professional needs no matter what department they’re working in.
Make a conscious effort to monitor IT trends and the latest technologies. Be active and proactive than selective! Also, don’t just be willing to learn. It’s important that you take the necessary course of action, too. Invest in learning Cloud Computing, Cybersecurity, Big Data, IoT, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning that are essential to the future of technology.
Final Thought: Technical skills attained through education are not enough for modern IT professionals. Some behavioral skills are just as important as technical knowledge and must be maintained, especially if you are willing to switch from a standalone tech role to a more “people-centric” one.
