unfilled IT jobs in the US
Source: CompTIA
faster hiring with pipelines
Source: Industry Research
The Technical Talent Shortage
According to CompTIA, there are over 700,000 unfilled IT jobs in the United States alone. MSPs are competing for the same talent pool as enterprises, startups, and internal IT departments.
Remote work has expanded this competition even further — now you're not just competing with other MSPs in your city, but potentially with companies anywhere that offer remote positions.
The result? Good technicians get multiple offers. If you're waiting for them to find you, you've already lost.
Mapping the Technical Talent Pool
Before you search, you need to understand the landscape. Different roles have different titles at different companies. Here's how they map:
| Role | Alternative Titles | Where They Work |
|---|---|---|
| Help Desk L1 | IT Support, Desktop Support, Technical Support | MSPs, internal IT, call centers |
| Help Desk L2 | IT Technician, Support Engineer, Field Tech | MSPs, VARs, internal IT |
| Systems Admin | Sysadmin, IT Administrator, Infrastructure Engineer | MSPs, enterprises, startups |
| Network Engineer | Network Admin, Network Technician | MSPs, enterprises, telcos |
| Security Analyst | SOC Analyst, Security Engineer | MSSPs, enterprises, consultancies |
| Cloud Engineer | Azure Engineer, AWS Admin, Cloud Architect | MSPs, consultancies, SaaS |
Understanding these mappings is crucial — if you only search for "Help Desk," you'll miss "IT Support Specialist" and "Desktop Support Technician."
Search Strategies by Role
Help Desk / Level 1
Filters:
- • Titles: "Help Desk", "IT Support", "Desktop Support", "Technical Support Specialist"
- • Location: [Your metro area + radius]
- • Company size: 10-200 employees (easier transition to MSP)
- • Seniority: Entry, Individual Contributor
💡 Pro tip: Look at internal IT departments — they often want more variety and growth that MSP life offers.
Systems Engineer / Level 2-3
Filters:
- • Titles: "Systems Administrator", "Systems Engineer", "IT Administrator", "Infrastructure Engineer"
- • Location: [Your area]
- • Current company: MSPs (they know the model), or internal IT (ready for change)
- • Technologies: Filter by your stack (ConnectWise, Datto, Azure, etc.)
💡 Pro tip: Look for 2-4 year tenure — long enough to be skilled, ready for the next challenge.
Security Roles
- • "Security Analyst", "SOC Analyst"
- • "Security Engineer", "InfoSec"
- • Look at MSSPs and enterprise SOCs
Cloud Roles
- • "Azure Engineer", "AWS Admin"
- • "Cloud Architect", "DevOps Engineer"
- • Filter by Azure/AWS certifications
Finding People Who Know Your Stack
The Intelligence Engine lets you filter by technology — use it to find candidates who already know your tools:
- ConnectWise (Automate, Manage, Control)
- Datto / Kaseya tools
- Microsoft 365 / Azure
- Specific RMM, PSA, or security tools you use
Candidates who already know your stack have shorter ramp time and higher success rates.
The Competitor Search
Controversial but effective: search for people at other MSPs in your region.
- They already understand the MSP business model
- Shorter ramp time — no need to explain how MSPs work
- May be frustrated with their current employer
Competitor Search Filters
- • Titles: [Role you're hiring]
- • Current company industry: "Information Technology & Services"
- • Current company size: Similar to yours or smaller
- • Location: Your market
Reading the Signals
Not all candidates are equal. Learn to read the signals in their profiles:
Good Signs
- • 2-4 years at current role (ready for change)
- • Progressive titles (growing in career)
- • Certifications being added (investing in themselves)
- • Active LinkedIn profile (open to opportunities)
Caution Signs
- • Multiple short stints (job hopper?)
- • Stalled career progression
- • No certifications despite years of experience
- • Outdated profile (may not be looking)
Building Candidate Profiles
For each promising candidate, capture:
- Current role and company
- Tenure (how long they've been there)
- Relevant skills and technologies
- Certifications
- Contact information
- Notes on why they'd be a good fit
Key Takeaways
- Map role titles — "Help Desk" has many synonyms
- Filter by technology stack to find candidates who already know your tools
- Search competitor MSPs for experienced talent
- Read profile signals to prioritize the best candidates
- Build detailed candidate profiles for your pipeline