What does a Computer Consultant do?
Computer Consultants assist a company's staff with computer system usage and issues. Computer consultants can be software programmers, hardware system installers, networking specialists, database specialists, and others.
Computer consultant responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real computer consultant resumes:
- Manage hardware design, install custom Linux desktop operating system, integrate software written in C++.
- Manage configuration and connectivity of customer virtual networks through VMware tools.
- Convert existing VHS tapes into digital clips to use in Powerpoint.
- Install and configure AcuConnect on the LINUX servers for thin client access from windows.
- Diagnose connection to the on-campus networks and services through OS, VPN and/or proxy configuration.
- Create, design and maintain web sites for small businesses using (HTML/DHTML, JavaScript, Perl/CGI )
- Diagnose and repair peripherals such as keyboards, mice, monitors, printers and external hard drives.
- Add printers to wireless networks, install motherboards on desktops, reload software, and repair laptop screens.
- Design circuits for a digital noise attenuator unit used for generating Gaussian white noise for RF signal analysis and testing
- Perform beta testing of motherboards using debugging equipment.
- Assist other programmers and occasionally UNIX administrators with scripting questions.
- Develop Unix script to monitor disk space and monitor network availability.
- Prepare PowerPoint presentations for live streaming services/events setup of wireless microphones system/devices.
- Test application integration for several financial applications to ensure compatibility with OS upgrades.
- Respond to user complaints of computer system/peripheral failures, troubleshoot problems and implement solutions.
Computer consultant skills and personality traits
We calculated that 11% of Computer Consultants are proficient in Technical Support, Database, and Linux. They’re also known for soft skills such as Customer-service skills, Listening skills, and Problem-solving skills.
We break down the percentage of Computer Consultants that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Technical Support, 11%
Spearheaded non-profit organization in redefining and re-organization of staff, policies, procedures, and technical support.
- Database, 6%
Designed, developed and programmed SQL database, applications in accordance with customer business requirements, timeliness and budget constraints.
- Linux, 6%
Monitored and managed a 14-school Windows network (2,000 computers) that provided a Linux firewall filtering and tracking Internet usage.
- Troubleshoot, 6%
Developed standard/customized ORMIS implementation plans; continuously monitored implementation projects to troubleshoot problems and develop solutions/modifications that ensured achievement of objectives.
- Desk Support, 5%
Preformed technical assistance to provide comprehensive student help desk support.
- Microsoft Windows, 4%
Job Description: Technical project planner, implementer and operational consultant for Microsoft Windows based computing initiatives in client companies.
Common skills that a computer consultant uses to do their job include "technical support," "database," and "linux." You can find details on the most important computer consultant responsibilities below.
Customer-service skills. One of the key soft skills for a computer consultant to have is customer-service skills. You can see how this relates to what computer consultants do because "computer support specialists must be patient and sympathetic." Additionally, a computer consultant resume shows how computer consultants use customer-service skills: "traveled to customer sites, setting up pcs, apple computers, printers, scanners, and office networks! "
Listening skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling computer consultant duties is listening skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "support workers must be able to understand the problems that their customers are describing and know when to ask questions to clarify the situation." According to a computer consultant resume, here's how computer consultants can utilize listening skills in their job responsibilities: "communicated with users and conducted computer diagnostics to investigate and resolve problems and to provide technical assistance and support. "
Problem-solving skills. computer consultants are also known for problem-solving skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to computer consultant responsibilities, because "support workers must identify both simple and complex computer problems, analyze them, and solve them." A computer consultant resume example shows how problem-solving skills is used in the workplace: "solved many technical issues and documented the solutions for others to use, some of which became microsoft windows updates. "
Speaking skills. For certain computer consultant responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "speaking skills." The day-to-day duties of a computer consultant rely on this skill, as "support workers must describe the solutions to computer problems in a way that a nontechnical person can understand." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what computer consultants do: "diagnosed and addressed computer problems during on-site visits. "
Writing skills. Another common skill required for computer consultant responsibilities is "writing skills." This skill comes up in the duties of computer consultants all the time, as "strong writing skills are useful for preparing instructions and email responses for employees and customers, as well as for real-time web chat interactions." An excerpt from a real computer consultant resume shows how this skill is central to what a computer consultant does: "provide technical assistance and consultation to state/regional underwriting. "
The three companies that hire the most computer consultants are:
- NBBJ Design8 computer consultants jobs
- Syracuse University7 computer consultants jobs
- Peraton4 computer consultants jobs
Choose from 10+ customizable computer consultant resume templates
Build a professional computer consultant resume in minutes. Our AI resume writing assistant will guide you through every step of the process, and you can choose from 10+ resume templates to create your computer consultant resume.
Compare different computer consultants
Computer consultant vs. Technical specialist
The role of technical specialists is to provide technical support for applications and programs to staff members and customers within an organization. They train staff and customers on products and apps and offer advice on the best practices for utilizing technical programs and applications. They also design training materials to teach other staff members the most effective methods of using its technology. It is also their job to reduce company costs by looking for ways to improve productivity and lessen expenses.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a computer consultant are more likely to require skills like "database," "troubleshoot," "desk support," and "microsoft windows." On the other hand, a job as a technical specialist requires skills like "customer service," "patients," "project management," and "customer satisfaction." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Technical specialists really shine in the technology industry with an average salary of $92,419. Comparatively, computer consultants tend to make the most money in the finance industry with an average salary of $85,911.On average, technical specialists reach similar levels of education than computer consultants. Technical specialists are 1.6% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.1% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Computer consultant vs. Help desk specialist
The primary role of help desk specialists is to maintain relationships between the company and its customers. Their duties and responsibilities include responding to guests' queries, providing technical computer support, and maintaining computer systems' performance. Help desk specialists are also responsible for following up with customers to resolve issues and train computer users. There are several requirements to be qualified for this position, which include having relevant customer service experience, problem-solving and analytical skills, and the ability to prioritize vital tasks.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real computer consultant resumes. While computer consultant responsibilities can utilize skills like "database," "sql server," "c++," and "lan," help desk specialists use skills like "customer service," "phone calls," "client facing," and "remote desktop."
On average, help desk specialists earn a lower salary than computer consultants. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, help desk specialists earn the most pay in the technology industry with an average salary of $60,916. Whereas computer consultants have higher pay in the finance industry, with an average salary of $85,911.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Help desk specialists tend to reach similar levels of education than computer consultants. In fact, they're 3.9% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Computer Consultants in the next 3-5 years?
Ming Chow
Associate Teaching Professor, Tufts University
References:
1. cybersecurity
2. cybersecurity
Computer consultant vs. Technical support associate
A technical support associate is responsible for assisting customers and end-users' technology and network issues, configuring system applications and improving network infrastructure. Technical support associates inspect inconsistencies on the network systems, identifying technical support solutions, and repairing defective system components. They also implement strategic techniques to boost the technology's optimal performance, maintain a record of resolution for reference, and process customers' upgrade requests. A technical support associate must have excellent knowledge of the technology industry, as well as extensive communication and organizational skills to support operations, especially on high-volume days.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, computer consultants are more likely to have skills like "database," "microsoft windows," "sql server," and "c++." But a technical support associate is more likely to have skills like "printers," "customer satisfaction," "phone calls," and "customer service."
Most technical support associates achieve a similar degree level compared to computer consultants. For example, they're 0.4% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 1.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Computer consultant vs. Systems support
A systems support agent is responsible for resolving system applications and network issues, performing technical configuration, and upgrading systems infrastructure. A systems support representative conducts regular maintenance and diagnostic tests on the computer applications to ensure its optimal performance and efficiency to support business operations and avoid delays in deliverables. They also assist the technology team in designing backup systems and improve existing networks according to business requirements and specifications. They write resolution reports for reference to prevent the reoccurrence of system malfunction and inconsistencies.
Types of computer consultant
Updated January 8, 2025
