When you think about tech, you may get a picture in your head of someone that’s a computer wiz but a little socially awkward. But the truth is, that to work in technology today, you need good communication skills along with finely honed technical skills and business know-how.. Especially if you’re part of an information technology team, good communication can mean the difference between a job well done and one that needs to be done over.

This is why it’s so important to have good communication skills in the IT industry.

Assess the IT Job

Whether you’re integrating hardware into a company system or troubleshooting someone’s PC, you first need to understand the requirements of the job. In the case of someone’s hardware connecting to a larger organization, you’ll need to consider the various technical components. But you’ll also need to understand what level of performance will be expected. And if you’re connecting an employee’s individual hardware to a bigger company system, which level of access will they be granted? What security protocols will be put in place? You can’t find any of that out if you don’t ask questions and listen carefully to the responses.

Task Information Technology Responsibilities

Once you assess a job’s requirements, you need to communicate with your team. Which tasks can you perform? What tools will you need? On what parts of the job will you require assistance? Oftentimes, your job as a computer technician is just one small piece of a bigger puzzle. For example, if you were a computer systems specialist on a network security team, you might be asked to perform routine maintenance. Or you might be in charge of explaining IT security to new employees. Or both. You need to know what you are expected to do and what is clearly beyond your scope.

Assess IT Outcomes

You know the job. You understand your individual role. You have the tools you need to complete your assignments in a timely and professional manner. All thanks to good communication. But once the job is done, you need to report in to the other team members so everyone is on the same page. Did the job go according to plan? Did everyone do what s/he was supposed to do? Were there any glitches or areas for improvement? A job well done may be the goal but learning how things went wrong can be even more valuable; especially when you communicate to the whole team. Don’t make the same mistake twice.

If you’d like to become part of an IT team, you’ll need good communication skills. You’ll also need a full understanding of hardware, software, computer networks and systems, and all the people who are involved in their proper usage and maintenance. At Porter and Chester Institute, we offer online instruction and hands-on training in our Computer & Network Technology program that can provide the IT Training to help you become an IT professional. Request more information today to get started on the path to a new career tomorrow.