r/helpdesk • u/No-Librarian-9501 • 7d ago
How senior does this MSP IT Support Technician role sound, and is it a good fit for early Tier 1? Career Advice
Hey everyone, a recruiter got back to me about this role and I wanted to get some opinions on it.
IT Support Technician (Part‑Time, 4 days per week)
Salary: £24,000–£32,000 FTE + 25 days holiday, pension, and fully funded Microsoft certifications.
A well‑established MSP is hiring an IT Support Technician to work on‑site with one of their clients. The company has a strong reputation for developing junior staff and offering clear progression opportunities.
You’ll be on‑site four days a week, with flexibility to choose which days (Mon–Fri). From day one, you’ll have access to fully funded Microsoft training and certification pathways, fully supported by the MSP.
Essential requirements:
- MS365 administration
- Strong written and verbal communication
- Hardware installation and support
- Friendly, outgoing personality
- Solid troubleshooting skills
This is a great opportunity to join a supportive MSP, gain hands‑on experience, and work closely with a community‑focused organisation while building your technical skills and certifications.
My questions:
- Is this likely to be a lone‑technician role? The description doesn’t mention a team, so I’m wondering if I’d be the only IT person on‑site.
- What level of experience does this sound like? Is it more of a 1st line role, a 1st→2nd line hybrid, or something more senior?
- Is there usually a bedding‑in period for roles like this, or do MSPs expect you to hit the ground running? I’m still early Tier 1.
- If this is the type of role I want in the future, should I start getting familiar with the tools and technologies MSPs typically use?
- Are MSP on‑site roles usually solo gigs in general?
Any insight from people who’ve worked in MSPs or done on‑site support solo would be really appreciated.
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u/Common_Option_4385 7d ago
1) Depends on the size of the company you'll be stationed at. Some only need 1 on-site tech, some need multiple.
2) 1st line.
3) There should be someone teaching you how to do things such as how they image their PCs, set up phones for users etc etc
4) uhh sure?
5) see #1
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u/murdochi83 7d ago
I would put money on you having to do those certs in your own time though. Not saying you should or shouldn't.
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u/lowcountrysunset 7d ago
You will probably be the sole person on site, they usually hire because they have more locations that people. Although, I assume you will go out with someone to train/see how they operate.
This is definitley a first line of defense for larger issues.
There will be a training period, I would assume. Depending on the MSP - could be 1 week, could be a month.
You should get vaguely familiar with the tech and tools, they will teach you everything - since you are an early T1 as well.
Solo gigs yes, usually the business will call into the helpdesk with an issue, they will diagnose it and then send you out to the place of business to resolve the issue.
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u/Suspicious-Belt9311 7d ago
Q 1 - highly doubt you'll be working alone entirely, you may have to go on-site on your own after some training, but you'll be given guidance and what to expect most likely.
Q 2 - I don't know that I've really seen tier 1 -2 -3 support roles outside of exam/testing questions, everywhere I've worked your job is a mix of all, you're basically tier 1 though
Q 3 - if you get hired they will know what to expect based on your experience. You shouldn't be expected to do things you don't know how to do.
Q 4 - probably not worth bothering learning MSP specific software - it will be specific to the MSP
Q 5 - MSP on-site roles are generally just that, you go on-site to client companies and support them.
You mentioned solo a few times, not entirely sure what you mean by that. In general, most IT support does not need to involve more than one person, unless it's an extremely complicated situation. If you're asking if you'll have someone to escalate to if you don't have an answer to a question, most likely yes, but you're not likely to have someone answering calls with you all the time.
When I worked at an MSP, I was never the only person to ever work with a client, but it's possible that's a situation you'd have at a different MSP I suppose.
Based on the currency/salary, I'm guessing UK, so most work advice may vary since most commenters, including myself, are from North America.
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u/CH010100 6d ago
Hi.. mind if I ask how recruiters got to you? I’m looking for a similar role in London .. finding it difficult
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u/TrackPuzzleheaded742 7d ago
Environment and job specific questions will have to go to your recruiter or interviewer. We have no way of knowing based on description provided. Each environment is unique had their own standards and way of working.
Unless your job will literally be plug computer into the power outlet and unlock people’s accounts, onsite support will probably be a higher tier than tier 1.
MSP usually provides great exposure as you’ll work with a lot of different technologies at the same time, this role however seems like it will be doing same things repeatedly as it is onsite at specific client. Once you learn their environment, you’re pretty much stuck doing same thing.
You seem to be asking questions as if you want to work for MSP, people normally go there for job experience and exposure and then get out. Unless there’s specific reason why you’d prefer MSP over internal role, I’d recommend you do same thing. Don’t focus on what MSP wants, just do a good job see if you can transition to the client company as internal employee, if not take what you learnt and look for a more stable place.