06Jun

There are many hot jobs in the tech world right now, but some of the most crucial and needed roles are those in desktop support. The Information Technology team at Green Key often recruits for these jobs, which help to support and maintain computer hardware and software systems.  

Destiny Henry, Tech Recruiter at Green Key, elaborates on the importance of desktop support, as well as her three keys to succeeding in these positions. You can also view our recent TikTok featuring Destiny’s thoughts on this topic! 

Communication 

Like many jobs, to succeed in the helpdesk sector, communication is key. Although this role relies on your technical knowledge, your interpersonal skills are what will really make you stand out. Destiny adds, “You’re going to be speaking to a variety of people on a day-to-day basis, from entry-level employees all the way to C-Level. So, it’s very important that you have stellar communication skills and patience so that you leave whoever you’re supporting on a positive note.” 

Education 

The tech industry doesn’t always require a degree to succeed. But that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t be educated about the technology you’ll be expected to use. “It’s important to stay up to date on various technologies that are hot in the field or on trend,” Destiny says. “This is how you make yourself an asset to both your team and company.” 

Additionally, a variety of different certifications will help you stand out in desktop support. Obtaining these certifications will show you went the extra mile to strengthen your knowledge and prove that you are passionate about what you do. “A certification that I definitely recommend is CompTIA A+,” Destiny adds. 

Microsoft Technology knowledge 

Microsoft Technology is one of the most popular software used in the office world. Destiny recommends becoming extremely familiar with Microsoft and having that experience under your toolbelt when entering the field. In fact, Microsoft offers a multitude of certifications through a series of exams, which can advance your career in tech and set you apart from competitors.  

Contact the Tech Recruiters at Green Key! 

If you are interested in a career in desktop support, IT, or tech, contact one of our Tech Recruiters today! Your next tech role could be waiting.  

CEOs Say Tight Labor and Retaining Talent Are Top Concerns

The possibility of recession, the certainty of intense competition, a tight labor market and global trade and instability, are the top worries of corporate CEOs worldwide.

Only in China, with a population of 1.4 billion, are executives less concerned about the labor market, but even they rank attracting and retaining their best talent as their number one internal worry.

The annual survey of the world’s CEOs by The Conference Board, found unanimous agreement about the outside issues that concern them. Recession, which was at the top of the list of external issues everywhere but the US last year, is now in first place. In Japan, with a rapidly aging and shrinking population and limited immigration, the tight labor market nudged recession fears to second place.

“The ongoing concerns about recession risk among business leaders reflect the slowing economy of the past year and the uncertainties about the outcome of the trade disputes and other policy concerns,” said Bart van Ark, chief economist at The Conference Board.

Of the many internal issues CEOs confront, attracting and retaining their best talent is the leading worry.

“The global challenge in acquiring and retaining talent requires companies to be more strategic – knowing not only what qualities and skills to recruit for, but also how to recruit more efficiently and effectively,” said Rebecca Lea Ray, Ph.D., executive vice president of human capital at The Conference Board.

Two of the other issues among the top five globally are also workforce focused: leadership succession and innovation.

For US leaders developing “Next Gen” leaders is a concern just behind the disruption technology is causing. In other parts of the world, CEOs and the C-suite also consider both among their two or three biggest worries. But in the US, where disruptive technologies are often born, data analytics/data collaboration is a greater concern than elsewhere.

Everywhere, though, creating a more innovative culture is a priority concern.

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Rust Gets a New Home

Rust is being saved.

A consortium of Microsoft, Amazon Web Services, Huawei, Mozilla and Google last week launched the Rust Foundation committing $2 million to sustain the organization.

If you’re wondering why anyone would want to do that, you’re obviously not an IT professional or a gamer.

Rust is a programming language so beloved by developers that for years they’ve overwhelmingly rated it ahead of all other languages like Python, Typescript and C# on Stack Overflow’s annual “Most Loved, Most Dreaded” survey.

Despite the thousands of volunteers who contribute to the open-source project, when Mozilla, its sponsor, began laying off staff last year Rust’s future was endangered. Mozilla, best known for its Firefox browser, began developing Rust a decade ago, says Techcrunch, as an alternative to C/C++ to improve Firefox performance.

Since getting a public release in 2015 Rust has been widely adopted by organizations worldwide, including such groups as Dropbox, Postmates and the New Zealand Fire Service.

“Mozilla incubated Rust to build a better Firefox and contribute to a better Internet,” said Bobby Holley, Mozilla and Rust Foundation Board member. “In its new home with the Rust Foundation, Rust will have the room to grow into its own success, while continuing to amplify some of the core values that Mozilla shares with the Rust community.”

In a blog post about the new foundation, its interim executive director Ashley Williams described Rust as a “a barrier-breaking technology — deconstructing previously assumed-immovable tradeoffs and binary oppositions.”

But more than just a programming language, she says, “Rust’s product is the experience of being a Rust developer… One of the most powerful driving forces of the Rust project is the simultaneous belief in the power of systems programming and the commitment to ensuring that such power is wieldable by everyone.”

In its report, Techcrunch said each of the sponsors uses Rust in developing or rebuilding “core aspects of some of their stacks.” Microsoft recently formed a Rust team. Google is funding a project to improve the Apache webserver using Rust.

Photo by Max Duzij

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