PeopleFirst Technology Consulting

10/29/2023

Technology Communications Specialist
Part Time Independent Contractor with anticipated transition to Full Time

PeopleFirst Technology Consulting, based in Amherst, seeks a motivated individual to specialize in technology consulting and related services to end users. We will be transparent with compensation based on your specific experience.

This role will start as project-based / part-time, with the expectation of taking on increasing responsibilities as experience grows, ideally transitioning to 3/4 or full time in several months.

We are interested in someone who wishes to grow into a fundamental role in the organization. Growth is a priority, and we will welcome your ideas in reaching potential clients to meet their tech needs. Please do not apply if you are interested in gig-only work.

The ideal candidate is more of a teacher than a techie. They possess exceptional emotional intelligence and communication skills, a facility in solving tech problems using readily available online research, and good knowledge of common end-user technology issues. They find satisfaction in helping regular people overcome technology problems ranging from the simple to the complex. Clients often have difficulty expressing their tech needs, so the ability to ask the right questions is nearly as important as the motivation to solve problems fully. We want to arrive at solutions efficiently while helping the client feel heard.

Clientele you will work with are often non-tech-savvy individuals and small businesses. Work is performed at our downtown office, remotely, or on-site as needed.

Please see our website for details on our philosophy and services. Most of our work is not rocket science, rather, it is about tackling the ubiquitous technology troubles regular people face every day, with an emphasis on online security. You will achieve solutions in a way that gives our clients true value for their money.

Ideal candidates have proficiency with macOS, iOS, Windows 10–11, as well as working knowledge of online security, Google Workspace, Microsoft Office/365 and other common software platforms. Also important is an inherent interest and willingness to stay up to date with recent technological developments that pertain to end users. In your cover letter, please list technologies you are comfortable with, with some descriptor of your expertise level, sorted in descending order. General tech-savviness is preferable to specialized expertise. Compensation is determined based on experience and will be re-evaluated as work and responsibilities progress.

We welcome candidates of diverse backgrounds and LGBTQ+ identities.

Please send cover letter that includes one example detailing an experience in line with our philosophy and services, along with your resume and LinkedIn URL, to [email protected]

Please note: due to the volume of applicants, only those meeting the listing's criteria can be contacted.

09/19/2023

Simple routines – and what to avoid – to keep your laptop, phone, and tablet batteries in good shape

Best practices to keep your phone or laptop's battery from damage, and to promote its capacity and lifespan.

04/01/2022

March 31st is World Backup Day

How's your backup plan? Despite our reliance on cloud services for many things today, the loss of important files and family photos still happens all too often. But it's preventable!

If you've got an older computer or external hard drive with precious memories, your risk is elevated since those types of drives are most prone to failure.

The folks at worldbackupday.com have some helpful information, and if you would like a professional assessment, book a consultation with PeopleFirst Technology to ensure the security of your data against malware and other losses.

04/19/2020

Here's how to minimize the privacy and security risks when you have to use Zoom — plus a list of alternatives.

Why you should avoid Zoom when possible. Here are some alternatives – and what to do to protect your privacy and security when you have to use it.

04/16/2020

In a few days, "nonprofits’ home on the Internet [may] be sold to private investors who could squeeze them for cash or silence their voices for private gain."

ICANN, the organization at the top of the Internet’s domain name system, may be close to deciding whether the takeover of the .ORG domain registry by a private equity firm can go forward. EFF, along with the Domain Name Rights Coalition, NTEN, Access Now, and others, wrote to ICANN this week urgin...

01/29/2020

"An antivirus program [Avast] used by hundreds of millions of people around the world is selling highly sensitive web browsing data to many of the world's biggest companies"

An Avast antivirus subsidiary sells 'Every search. Every click. Every buy. On every site.' Its clients have included Home Depot, Google, Microsoft, Pepsi, and McKinsey.

01/29/2020

When you signed up for internet access, you probably got an email address. That’s fine, but you can do better. Here’s how to move to a good one.

01/13/2020

Windows 7 end of life is here (Jan 14th, 2020). What you need to know, and what you can do to run Windows 10 faster — without buying a new PC.

08/26/2019

Bottom line: if you're concerned about privacy and tracking, use Safari or Firefox, not Google Chrome.

Blocking cookies is bad for privacy. That’s the new disingenuous argument from Google, trying to justify why Chrome is so far behind Safari and Firefox in offering privacy protections. As researchers who have spent over a decade studying web tracking and online advertising, we want to set the reco...

07/22/2019

No, I don’t want your website to notify me — and I don’t want you to ever ask again

04/27/2019

iCloud Photos is probably one of the most impressive services that Apple is currently running. It’s built into every iOS, macOS, and tvOS device (and iCloud.com), and Apple has to be syncing billio…

09/09/2018

Do you use public Wi-Fi networks? A VPN is an essential tool to protect your security. Here's PC Magazine's VPN ratings for 2018.

A VPN, or virtual private network, is one of the best ways to protect your privacy online and maintain your data security. We've tested scores of them, and these are the best VPN services for Windows.