Getting an IT Help Desk Job For Dummies

Chapter 14

Ten Things Not to Do

In This Chapter

• Establishing a basis in the reality of working with people
• Covering the don't that most people … don't
• Discovering the actions and behaviors that can make you unpopular

In this chapter, I share with you the things that you should not do as an IT help desk engineer. Think of each of these items as a kind of story moral spoiler. I've broken most of these rules and have worked with others who have broken those I have not violated. I have seen the fallout that comes from such violations and hope that you can learn from my words without having to experience them yourself.

Don't Touch Anyone

This advice is vaguely odd and creepy, but you may not realize that people unconsciously touch people all the time. It's a humanizing behavior that gives a human connection to those you feel some kinship to. You may, in fact, be unaware that the person you're patting on the back in consolation and commiseration may not feel any level of kinship with you, and that your touch may not be welcome, no matter how sincere your feelings.

Touchy-feely people are not popular, so don't be one of them. That doesn't mean you can't ever touch anyone again, but you need to be self-conscious about it. You may feel that you are comforting other people, they in turn they may get the impression that you are trying to intimidate them or to initiate actions that neither party wants to engage in.

Shake hands if offered and you can touch people whom you've made friends ...