Macs were once thought of as nothing more than a niche tool for graphic designers and other creative professionals.
Some thought they were simply too expensive, but the main thing holding Macs back is that there weren’t enough business-oriented applications available on them at the time. For businesses that had to crunch numbers or pump out text documents or perform any other sort of left brain activity on a regular basis, PCs had the software they needed.
Things have changed. Now there is more business software available on Macs (including Microsoft Office), allowing businesses in all fields to takes advantage of the benefits offered by switching to Macs: they are built better and last longer than PCs, they’re less vulnerable to viruses, and, perhaps the most convincing selling point, they offer a more intuitive user experience.
All these benefits do come with considerable investment, especially when you consider that PCs cost a lot less. To get the most value out of investing in the best computers available, you’ll have to invest also in high-quality support to keep those investments up and running. You need a certified Apple consultant that knows the brand well and can fix problems fast whenever they pop up.
Here are 3 tips that will help you weed out high-risk applicants and identify the best possible Apple consultant hire.
- Money-back guarantee
You need to secure a written (don’t be naïve: a spoken word contract won’t do you any good in an actual dispute) agreement that guarantees if you’re not satisfied with the service, you can have your issues resolved at no extra cost for additional work hours. If they’re still not able to provide the level of service you were expecting, you deserve a full refund.
The knowledge and skill set possessed by the prototypical Apple Consultant is valuable, but that doesn’t mean good candidates are impossible to find. It shouldn’t be difficult to find a consultant confident in their abilities and willing to guarantee satisfaction. Any candidate who hesitates to guarantee their services is likely to end up a disappointment if you make a leap of faith and hire them.
- Check their references
One major red flag is a lack of references. A good applicant should have at least three quality references, preferably with one or more references from a business of a similar size and in a similar field as yours.
Don’t take applicants at their word. A lot of potential hires look great on paper – it’s up to you to confirm that what is printed on their resume is more fact than fiction. Call each reference yourself to gauge how enthusiastic they are about the candidate, and also just to check and confirm that they exist in the first place.
- Remote capability
You’ll want someone local who can come in quickly when on-site service is necessary, but it’s also important to have a consultant that can contribute remotely. Not all problems require an on-site fix. It saves you money and saves your consultant time when problems can be resolved remotely.
Remote capability isn’t just about convenience. It also improves your level of service: a consultant who can fix network issues remotely is able to find a solution to downtime faster than a consultant that has to pick up everything and drive to your office before they can even start working on a solution.
Sometimes a clear-cut stud of a candidate walks through the door and makes the hiring process easy. More often, you’ll have a group of similarly-qualified applicants and making the right hire is a real challenge. Contact OffSite IT at (866) 828-6674 or info@offsiteIT.com if you need help finding the right expert to maintain your Macs.
