You’ve heard it a thousand times: help desk is the entry point into IT. The gateway. The first rung on the ladder.

And then you look at actual job postings.

“2-3 years experience required.” “Must have CCNA.” “Proficient in Active Directory, Azure, and enterprise ticketing systems.”

For an entry-level position.

You’re probably feeling stuck. You’ve got the motivation. Maybe you’ve watched some YouTube tutorials, built a small homelab, or earned a certification. But you keep running into this paradox: you need experience to get a job, but you need a job to get experience.

Here’s the truth nobody tells you: help desk absolutely hires people with no experience. But most people apply wrong. They send generic resumes to the wrong companies, skip the keywords that actually matter, and compete for jobs they’re unlikely to get.

This guide breaks down exactly how to land a help desk job when you’re starting from zero—no fluff, no “just be passionate” platitudes.

The Reality of “No Experience Required” Jobs

Let’s start with some actual data. According to Franklin University’s career research, only about 25% of IT help desk job postings require 0-1 years of experience, while 43% ask for 2-3 years. That sounds discouraging until you understand how the hiring game actually works.

Here’s what’s really happening:

Companies inflate requirements. Hiring managers often list “ideal” qualifications rather than true minimums. A job asking for “2 years experience” might hire someone with a certification and demonstrated curiosity. It happens constantly.

Soft skills trump technical skills at entry level. Research from Coursera shows that for entry-level help desk roles, “soft skills now carry as much weight as technical skills.” Your tone on a stressful phone call matters as much as whether you know the specific ticketing system.

Help desk is genuinely the exception. Unlike roles that demand specialized skills from day one, help desk is designed for training. Companies expect to teach you their systems. What they can’t teach is patience, communication, and reliability—which is why they’ll take a chance on someone from retail or hospitality who demonstrates those qualities.

The job posting says “entry-level” but wants 5 years of experience. Classic. But those inflated requirements filter out people who don’t even try. Don’t be one of them.

What Employers Actually Look For

Based on analysis of 274,519 help desk job postings, here’s what employers actually prioritize:

Technical Skills (In Order of Demand)

  1. Technical support (31% of postings)
  2. Help desk support (28%)
  3. Operating systems (Windows/Mac/Linux basics)
  4. Active Directory fundamentals
  5. Peripheral devices (printers, monitors, basic hardware)

Soft Skills (These Get You Hired)

  1. Troubleshooting/Problem solving (most requested skill)
  2. Communication (especially written and verbal)
  3. Customer service
  4. Patience (seriously underrated)
  5. Time management

Notice what’s not on that list? Advanced certifications. Deep programming knowledge. Years of professional experience. If you’ve ever helped a family member fix their computer, you have more relevant experience than you think.

The “Transferable Skills” Most People Miss

Worked retail? You’ve handled frustrated customers while juggling multiple tasks. That’s help desk.

Worked food service? You’ve prioritized under pressure and maintained composure during rush hour. That’s help desk.

Worked a call center? You’ve literally done help desk, just for a different product.

The problem is most people don’t translate these experiences into IT terms on their resume. We’ll fix that.

Two Paths to Getting Hired

You essentially have two options: the certification path and the skills-demonstration path. Most successful candidates combine both.

Path 1: Get Certified (The Traditional Route)

The two certifications that matter most for help desk are:

CompTIA A+

For a deep dive on whether A+ is right for you, check out our CompTIA A+ complete guide.

Google IT Support Professional Certificate

Not sure which to choose? We wrote an entire comparison of CompTIA A+ vs Google IT Certificate.

Honest take: CompTIA A+ carries more weight with traditional employers. Google’s certificate is faster and cheaper. If budget is tight, Google’s program gets you interview-ready faster. If you want maximum door-opening power, A+ is worth the investment.

Path 2: Build Demonstrable Skills (The Portfolio Approach)

Certifications prove you can pass a test. A portfolio proves you can do the work.

Build a Home Lab

You don’t need expensive hardware. A spare computer or even virtual machines on your current PC work fine. Document everything you do:

For a complete walkthrough, see our home lab building guide.

Practice Linux and Command Line

Most IT environments involve some Linux or command line work. Getting comfortable with basic commands makes you more valuable. Try Shell Samurai for hands-on terminal practice—it’s designed for people starting from zero.

Document Everything

Create a simple blog or GitHub repository showing what you’ve learned. Include:

  • Problems you encountered and how you solved them
  • Screenshots of your configurations
  • Brief explanations of why you chose certain approaches

This documentation shows employers you can communicate technical concepts—a crucial help desk skill.

The Resume That Actually Gets Interviews

Your resume is getting filtered before a human sees it. Applicant tracking systems scan for keywords, and most “no experience” candidates fail this first hurdle.

Keywords to Include

Based on job posting analysis, include these terms naturally throughout your resume:

  • Technical support / IT support
  • Help desk
  • Troubleshooting
  • Windows 10/11
  • Active Directory (if you’ve touched it, even in a lab)
  • Ticketing system
  • Customer service
  • Remote support

How to Present Non-IT Experience

Wrong:

“Cashier at Target, 2022-2024”

  • Operated cash register
  • Stocked shelves
  • Greeted customers

Right:

“Guest Services, Target, 2022-2024”

  • Resolved customer issues with an average resolution time under 3 minutes
  • Troubleshot point-of-sale system errors, escalating technical issues to IT when necessary
  • Managed multiple customer requests simultaneously during high-traffic periods
  • Trained 4 new team members on systems and processes

Same experience. Completely different impression.

For more examples, check out our IT resume with no experience guide and IT resume examples that actually get interviews.

The Summary That Gets Attention

Skip the objective statement. Use a skills summary:

“CompTIA A+ certified IT professional with hands-on home lab experience in Windows administration, Active Directory, and remote troubleshooting. Background in high-volume customer service with proven ability to explain technical concepts to non-technical users. Known for patience under pressure and systematic problem-solving approach.”

Notice how it leads with certification, demonstrates practical skills, and emphasizes soft skills—all in four sentences.

Where to Find “Actually Entry-Level” Jobs

Not all job boards are created equal. Here’s where to focus your search:

Best Sources for No-Experience Help Desk Jobs

Direct Company Applications

  • Skip the job boards and go directly to company career pages
  • Target: MSPs (Managed Service Providers), school districts, local government, healthcare systems
  • These organizations often have more realistic expectations for entry-level roles

Job Boards with Entry-Level Filters

Google’s Employer Consortium

  • If you complete Google’s IT Support Certificate, you get access to 150+ employers who specifically recruit certificate holders
  • Includes major companies: Walmart, T-Mobile, Wells Fargo, Infosys

Staffing Agencies

  • TEKsystems, Robert Half Technology, Apex Systems
  • These agencies often have “get your foot in the door” contracts
  • Contract-to-hire positions are excellent for building experience

Companies Known for Hiring No-Experience Candidates

Some companies have structured programs specifically for entry-level IT:

  • Spectrum - New hire training classes starting regularly
  • Best Buy/Geek Squad - Technical positions with retail experience acceptance
  • Hospital systems - Often have robust training programs
  • Universities - Student help desk positions, sometimes open to community
  • Local government - Typically more flexible on requirements

Red Flags in Job Postings

Avoid these:

  • “Entry level” positions listing 5+ certifications
  • Roles requiring travel without clear explanation
  • Commission-based IT support (usually sales jobs in disguise)
  • Unrealistic salary ranges ($100K+ for true entry-level)

The Interview: What They’ll Actually Ask

Help desk interviews are predictable. Here’s what to expect:

Technical Questions (Entry-Level)

  • “Walk me through how you’d troubleshoot a computer that won’t turn on”
  • “A user can’t connect to the network. What steps would you take?”
  • “What’s the difference between a hard drive and RAM?”
  • “How would you explain [technical concept] to a non-technical user?”

The key: show your thought process. They want to see how you approach problems, not whether you have every answer memorized.

Behavioral Questions

These matter more than most candidates realize:

  • “Tell me about a time you helped someone who was frustrated”
  • “Describe a situation where you had to learn something quickly”
  • “How do you prioritize when you have multiple urgent requests?”

Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers.

The Question That Catches People Off Guard

“What would you do if you didn’t know the answer?”

Wrong answer: “I’d figure it out myself.”

Right answer: “I’d be honest with the user that I need to research this, give them an expected timeline, and either find the solution in our knowledge base, escalate to the appropriate team, or research the issue while keeping the user updated.”

This question tests whether you’ll waste time pretending to know things or efficiently use available resources.

For more interview prep, see our IT interview questions guide and IT job interview mistakes to avoid.

Salary Expectations (Real Numbers)

Let’s talk money. According to 2025-2026 salary data:

Experience LevelAnnual Salary RangeHourly Rate
Entry-level (0-1 year)$48,000 - $62,000$23 - $30/hr
Junior (1-3 years)$56,000 - $66,000$27 - $32/hr
Mid-level (4-6 years)$62,000 - $75,000$30 - $36/hr

Sources: Glassdoor, ZipRecruiter, BLS

Location Matters

  • New York City: ~$52,700 average
  • California: ~$59,200 average
  • Texas: ~$47,000 average
  • Remote positions: Variable, often below high-cost-of-living averages

First Job vs. Second Job

Here’s something career advisors don’t emphasize enough: your first help desk job matters less than your second one. The first job gets you experience. The second job gets you the salary you deserve.

Don’t reject a $45K offer that gives you hands-on experience in favor of waiting for $60K with no experience. After 12-18 months of documented work, you’ll have leverage for that higher salary—either through promotion or a strategic job change.

For more salary data, see our entry-level programmer salary guide (much of the entry-level advice applies to IT support roles too).

The 90-Day Action Plan

If you’re starting from zero, here’s a realistic timeline:

Days 1-30: Foundation Building

  • Start Google IT Support Certificate OR begin CompTIA A+ study
  • Set up one virtual machine (Windows 10 or Ubuntu)
  • Create LinkedIn profile with IT focus
  • Research 10 local companies with help desk positions

Skills to practice this month: Basic Windows troubleshooting, Linux command line basics

Days 31-60: Skill Demonstration

  • Complete certification OR reach 75% completion
  • Build simple home lab and document it
  • Rewrite resume using IT-focused language
  • Begin applying to 5 positions per week

Skills to practice this month: Active Directory basics, ticketing system familiarity, PowerShell basics

Days 61-90: Active Job Hunt

  • Finish certification
  • Apply to 10+ positions per week
  • Practice interview responses out loud
  • Follow up on applications (1 week after submission)
  • Expand search to staffing agencies

Skills to practice this month: Interview preparation, networking basics

This timeline assumes 10-15 hours per week of dedicated effort. Adjust based on your availability.

The Mindset Shift That Changes Everything

If you’ve made it this far, you’re probably more prepared than you think. The biggest barrier to getting a help desk job isn’t skills or certifications—it’s the belief that you’re not ready.

You will feel like an impostor. Everyone does. The person who hired you felt like an impostor at some point too.

The only difference between people who break into IT and people who keep waiting is action. Submit the application even if you don’t meet every requirement. Take the interview even if you’re nervous. Accept the job even if you don’t feel 100% ready.

No one is 100% ready. The readiness comes from doing the work.

FAQ

Can I really get a help desk job with no IT experience at all?

Yes. Many employers explicitly hire people from retail, hospitality, and call center backgrounds for help desk roles. What they can’t train is patience and communication skills—what they can train is technical knowledge. A certification like CompTIA A+ significantly increases your chances, but some companies hire based purely on attitude and willingness to learn.

How long does it take to get hired for help desk with no experience?

Most people spend 2-4 months in preparation (certification + resume building) and 1-3 months actively job hunting. Total timeline: 3-6 months from decision to first day. This varies based on your location, how many hours you can dedicate to studying and applying, and local job market conditions.

Is the CompTIA A+ worth it for help desk jobs?

For pure help desk, it’s helpful but not always required. About 65% of IT support job postings mention A+, so it gives you a significant advantage. More importantly, the knowledge you gain while studying directly applies to help desk work. If budget is a concern, the Google IT Support Certificate is a cheaper alternative that still opens doors.

What’s the difference between help desk and IT support?

These terms are often used interchangeably. “Help desk” typically refers to first-line support (answering phones, tickets, basic troubleshooting), while “IT support” can include desktop support, field technicians, and more hands-on roles. For job searching purposes, apply to both—the skills overlap significantly.

Can I do help desk remotely with no experience?

Remote help desk jobs exist but are more competitive and often require some proven experience. According to job posting data, remote positions typically want at least 1 year of experience, Mac + Windows proficiency, and strong self-management skills. Your first role will likely be on-site or hybrid. Once you have 12-18 months of experience, remote positions become much more accessible.

What Comes After Help Desk?

Landing your first help desk job is step one. After 1-2 years, you’ll have options:

Help desk isn’t a destination—it’s a launchpad. The skills you build troubleshooting user issues, communicating with non-technical people, and understanding how business technology works? Those translate everywhere.

Now stop reading and start applying. That certification won’t earn itself, and that job won’t find you.

Ready to level up your IT career? Explore our certification guides or browse cybersecurity career paths.