• Some Tools of the Tradecomputer cables image by timur1970 from Fotolia.com
  
  PC technician duties incorporate a wide range of tasks and require broad computer skills and knowledge. Many types of jobs are available for PC tech professionals, but they share many common functions and responsibilities. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, many duties of PC technicians are learned on the job.
  
  

Communications

• Good communications skills are required of PC technicians. It’s their duty to gather information, understand the scope of computer problems and develop an action plan to solve the crisis. PC techs must carefully listen to customers and provide objective, professional advise.
  
  

Help Desk

• Help desks are common service installations for in-house computer problems, and for external customer support. PC technicians who work help desks can have general or specialized skills, depending on the nature of their work. Technicians respond to email and phone calls pertaining to computer problems. Whether at an entry or advanced level, these techs need to assess customer problems in a methodical way. Asking questions can help techs ascertain what steps are needed to help customers. They can research manuals and in-house databases if they don’t already know the answers. Then they walk customers through the problem solving steps. The PC tech may need to visit customers on-site to resolve difficult problems.
  
  

Software

• Software duties are ongoing and include installing, upgrading, optimizing and troubleshooting. Software installation includes new software application installs and operating system upgrades. PC techs do performance tuning which maximizes the functionality between the PC’s software and the hardware. PC techs use software tools like diagnostics to help troubleshoot faulty software.
  
  

Hardware

• PC technicians frequently diagnose, repair and replace hardware. Once techs pinpoint the hardware failures, they can replace cables, monitors, routers and other equipment. Repairs may be limited to printers, keyboards and other peripheral devices. They also perform routine cleaning to keep equipment in shape. PC techs are valued for the quick turnaround times for getting employee computer’s up and running again.
  
  

Documentation

• Most managers require their PC techs to document information about the work they do. Online databases are used to help techs keep track of what customers they helped on any particular day. Documentation is necessary as a means of helping those customers or other customers in the future. Logging the hours worked on problems helps management with their metrics, or performance statistics.