How to hire computer network support specialists
A job description you can copy, interview questions tied to the real work, and what to pay. Free.
Job description template
Copy it, fill in the brackets, and remove anything that does not fit your job. Keep only must-haves you would really turn someone away for.
[Job title] at [Company name] [City, State] · [Full-time / Part-time] · [Pay range] About the role [Two or three sentences about your team, the work and why it matters.] What you will do • Analyze and report computer network security breaches or attempted breaches. • Back up network data. • Configure security settings or access permissions for groups or individuals. • Configure wide area network (WAN) or local area network (LAN) routers or related equipment. • Document network support activities. • Identify the causes of networking problems, using diagnostic testing software and equipment. • Install network software, including security or firewall software. • Troubleshoot network or connectivity problems for users or user groups. What you bring • [Required license, certification or years of experience, if any] • [Education, only if you truly need it. Typical to start in this job: Associate's degree] • Strong critical thinking, active listening, reading comprehension, active learning, monitoring and speaking skills • Working knowledge of computers and electronics and telecommunications • [Anything else you would really turn someone away for] Pay and benefits [Pay range]. For reference, the U.S. median for this job is $36.64 an hour ($76,220 a year). [Benefits, schedule and anything else candidates should know.] How to apply [Apply on JAI Bot. Every applicant hears back.]
Interview questions for computer network support specialists
Ask every candidate the same questions, in the same order, and write down what they say. Questions about past work show what someone has actually done.
- Tell me about a time you had to analyze and report computer network security breaches or attempted breaches. What did you do, and how did it turn out?
- Tell me about a time you had to back up network data. What did you do, and how did it turn out?
- Tell me about a time you had to configure security settings or access permissions for groups or individuals. What did you do, and how did it turn out?
- Tell me about a time you had to configure wide area network (WAN) or local area network (LAN) routers or related equipment. What did you do, and how did it turn out?
- Describe a decision at work where the obvious answer was wrong. How did you work out the better choice?
- Tell me about a time you had to understand a request or problem that was explained poorly. How did you make sure you got it right?
- Tell me about written instructions, a policy or a manual you had to follow closely. How did you make sure you followed it correctly?
- Why this job, and why now? What would make you stay here for the long term?
Good answers name a real situation, what the person did themselves and what happened. Avoid questions about age, family plans, religion, health, national origin or anything else unrelated to the job.
What computer network support specialists do
- Analyze and report computer network security breaches or attempted breaches.
- Back up network data.
- Configure security settings or access permissions for groups or individuals.
- Configure wide area network (WAN) or local area network (LAN) routers or related equipment.
- Document network support activities.
- Identify the causes of networking problems, using diagnostic testing software and equipment.
- Install network software, including security or firewall software.
- Troubleshoot network or connectivity problems for users or user groups.
Skills that matter most
Education, experience and outlook for computer network support specialists
- Typical education to start: Associate's degree (BLS)
- Training on the job: Moderate-term on-the-job training (BLS)
- Job outlook: +1.2% over ten years, little or no change · about 9,000 openings a year (BLS)
What to pay computer network support specialists
Pay depends a lot on where the job is. Highest and lowest median yearly pay by state:
| State | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Washington | $101,750 |
| Maryland | $96,680 |
| Massachusetts | $88,650 |
| New Jersey | $87,440 |
| Nevada | $85,790 |
| Arkansas | $59,460 |
| Louisiana | $58,680 |
| West Virginia | $46,840 |
See computer network support specialists pay in every state
Related hiring guides
- Computer Systems Analysts
- Information Security Analysts
- Computer and Information Research Scientists
- Computer User Support Specialists
- Computer Network Architects
- Database Administrators
- Database Architects
- Network and Computer Systems Administrators
- Computer Programmers
- Software Developers
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Post a job freePay by areaJob duties and skills: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. Pay: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, May 2025. Interview questions and the job description template: JAI Bot, based on the duties and skills above.