4 IT Support roles to hire over the December period

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4 IT Support roles to hire over the December period

IT Help Desk Support
Desktop Support
System Administrator
Application Support

With Christmas just around the corner, businesses are set to face the seasonal exodus that could jeopardise their 2024 IT investments.

As the Australian Bureau of Statistics reports, employees are working fewer hours between December and January, with early January being the seasonal peak in people taking annual leave. In January 2023, around 43 per cent of employed people worked reduced or no hours because they were on leave.

While a well-earned break can bring Christmas cheer for some, organisations are left vulnerable to potential disruptions to critical business operations.

Unsure how to maintain essential IT operations during the December holiday period? Instead of wishing for a Christmas miracle, turn your focus to IT support roles.

Join us as we explore four IT Support roles to hire over the December period. We’ll take a look at what they do, why you need them and how they can be the smartest gift you give your business this festive season.

IT spending in Australia is projected to exceed AU$133 billion in 2024, an increase of 7.8% from 2023, according to the latest forecast by Gartner, Inc.

Speaking at a recent Gartner IT Symposium/Xpo, VP Analyst Andy Rowsell-Jones, said the projected IT spending growth in Australia suggests that more money will be available to IT departments.

He said, “Most Australian CIOs are focused on optimising infrastructure and operational costs and efficiencies by further investing in cloud and digital enablement to deliver higher business outcomes and revenue.”

Wondering how to deliver higher business outcomes and revenue when December strikes? Look no further than IT support.

Sam Rothery, Associate Director at Robert Half and specialised tech recruiter believes employers are quickly realising the importance of temporary staff.  Heading up the Robert Half Technology Contract Services team, Sam said, “Last summer, 53% of Australian business leaders planned on hiring contract staff during the summer to fulfill year-end initiatives and cover for staff*. With the focus on IT growing exponentially, I believe business leaders would be wise to adopt this approach in 2024 and beyond.”

“Your team members are entitled to clock off for the holidays – it’s your responsibility to ensure this doesn’t derail IT initiatives. Be sure to implement frameworks to manage the workload, meet deadlines and deliver uninterrupted IT support. I always recommend seeking temporary staff members who can keep projects moving along while relieving the pressure on other staff members,” Sam says.

With Christmas looming, tis the season to start planning, preparing and recruiting professional contract workers who can keep your IT projects running.

Let’s take a closer look at the four IT Support roles to hire over the December period, along with the duties that make them essential to maintaining basic IT operations.

IT Help Desk Support involves the provision of technical assistance and support for incoming queries and issues related to computer systems, software and hardware. Because of the nature of the job, some companies may require their IT support to undertake shift work.

Typical responsibilities and duties include:

Installing and configuring computer hardware, software, systems, networks, printers and scanners.

Monitoring and maintaining computer systems and networks.

Responding to service issues and requests.

Providing technical support across the company (both in person and/or over the phone).

Setting up accounts for new users.

Repairing and replacing equipment as necessary.

A Desktop Support role involves providing technical assistance to users experiencing issues with their computer hardware, software or network. Desktop Support Engineers must provide technical assistance on-site or online, including computer hardware configuration, software installation and troubleshooting with simple IT problems.

Typical responsibilities and duties include:

Providing technical support and fault resolution across a range of IT services, including hardware, software and network issues for end users.

Providing user support and training to help users understand and optimise IT technology.

Installing, configuring and maintaining hardware and software.

Performing regular system maintenance and updates.

Maintaining documentation of issues, updates and resolutions for analysis and tracking.

A System Administrator manages, develops, installs, troubleshoots, maintains and supports an organisation’s IT infrastructure. This includes all relevant operating systems, server hardware, software and databases to ensure they run efficiently and securely.

Typical responsibilities and duties include:

Managing servers and networks through installation, configuration and maintenance.

Implementing security measures to protect the organisation’s data and IT systems, including firewalls, antivirus software and access control.

Ensuring regular backups of critical data and creating disaster recovery plans (i.e., restoring systems and data in case of emergencies such as system failures or cyberattacks).

Optimising system performance through regular monitoring and analysis.

Providing troubleshooting and technical support related to hardware, software and network systems.

An Application Support professional is responsible for managing the resolution of application and system issues that arise across a business.

Typical responsibilities and duties include:

Troubleshooting and responding to user-reported issues and incidents related to software applications.

Continuously monitoring the performance of applications (and tuning their performance where required) to ensure they function optimally.

Delivering customised training to end-users about how to use applications effectively.

Conducting application maintenance and updates to address bugs, enhance functionality and improve security.

Managing documentation and reporting relating to issues, resolutions and system changes.

With many permanent staff members taking time off over the festive period, there is a need to address substantial gaps. Gaps that, if left unattended, could compromise an organisation’s critical IT systems.

Contract IT Support roles can afford hiring managers some peace of mind when it comes to the maintenance of their IT systems and the provision of support for their end-users. Here are some of the main advantages to hiring contract IT Support:

It’s a cost-effective solution - leverage specialised skills without any long-term commitment.

It’s scalable – offering the flexibility to scale up or down according to business needs.

It provides on-demand expertise – tap into an agile talent pool that offers unique expertise and experience.

It requires less management – simply provide a brief and a deadline, and contractors can generally get on with the task at hand.

It protects business continuity – safeguarding the operation of systems during the crucial December-January period.

Sam says that while staff take holidays, IT issues certainly do not. “Things like troubleshooting or system outages don’t stop for Christmas. Having access to immediately available IT support contractors can be a true lifesaver for addressing IT issues. Taking the time to hire contractors will pay dividends in the long run, ensuring that all IT tasks are covered while permanent staff are on leave,” says Sam.

With December only a matter of weeks away, NOW is the time to start planning your IT staffing needs for the holiday season.

Finding the most suitable candidates starts with careful planning. If you want to attract top IT contractors, be sure to follow our tips below:

Create an inviting challenge – tempt IT contractors with an opportunity that will test their skill set, challenge them and offer distinct value.

Show that you’re open to external opinions – extend the invitation for new ideas, innovation and open dialogue.

Be considerate with contract options – carefully consider how long you’ll need additional resources and keep the lines of communication open for any possible contract extensions.

Ensure daily rates are competitive – do your research about what constitutes an attractive daily rate and budget accordingly. Be sure to check The Robert Half Salary Guide for all the latest Australian salary and hiring trends.

Plan for smooth onboarding – ensure that your onboarding process is effective and efficient so the contractor can hit the ground running.

Reduce your time to hire – IT contractors often have multiple offers and opportunities waiting for them, so be fast and decisive in your hiring decisions.

Sam encourages employers to support transitions between permanent and contract staff during the holiday period (and beyond).

“If you want to introduce contract IT Support roles, you must minimise disruptions so that your processes can run smoothly during transition periods. No staff member wants to return to chaos after a well-earned break! Measures like process documentation, ticketing systems, nominated points of contact and regular check-in sessions are all very effective,” he says.

Need help finding reliable, highly skilled contract professionals? Contact the team at Robert Half and let us know exactly what you’re looking for. Our experienced team can help you find in-demand IT skills in a flash.

Our contract recruitment solutions offer an easy way to hire faster, identify top candidates and stay productive on every level.

IT has been a significant focus for Australian businesses in 2024. While December is a time to pause and celebrate a year of achievements, it shouldn’t be a time to let those achievements come undone. Instead of dreading the seasonal staff exodus, prepare for it. Familiarise yourself with the four IT Support roles that can provide some integral holiday support. By engaging the right IT contractors, you can give your team the ultimate Christmas gift - peace of mind.

* The study is developed by Robert Half and was conducted online in June 2023 by an independent research company, surveying 300 hiring managers, including 100 CFOs and 100 CIOs, from companies across Australia. This survey is part of the international workplace survey, a questionnaire about job trends, talent management, and trends in the workplace.

What factors should I consider when choosing a reliable IT Support?

There are a range of factors to consider when choosing reliable IT support. Be sure to consider the following:

Technical expertise and certifications

Range of services

Availability, rates and cost-effectiveness

Scalability

Reputation and client testimonials

Security protocols

How do I determine if I need contract IT Support?

Signs that you may need to engage contract IT Support include:

A lack of suitable permanent candidates for a vacant role.

A heavy and unmanageable team workload.

A need for temporary niche skills.

High levels of annual leave in your team.

Digital transformation projects that need support.

A need for resources with a limited budget.

Are there potential risks of hiring contract IT Support?

Whilst there are numerous advantages when hiring a contractor, there are also some disadvantages to consider:

You may have less company loyalty – contractors may have multiple clients and multiple priorities at any given time.

You have less authority over contractors – although you can set guidelines, requirements and deadlines, contractors work autonomously.

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