The pathway
How you actually get there, here
How you become one varies far more by country than what one does. This is the UK route. Most people take one of these ways in; the right one depends on where you're starting from.
- 1
Customer Support Representative
2-3 yearsSkills to master
- Excellent problem-solving, strong communication (written and verbal), deep product knowledge, managing customer expectations, handling difficult situations.
You're ready to move on when
- You're consistently resolving complex customer issues independently.
- You're seen as a product expert within the support team.
- You're proactively identifying trends in customer issues and suggesting solutions.
- You enjoy the operational side of support, not just the direct customer interaction.
- 2
Office Administrator / Executive Assistant (in a tech company)
3-4 yearsSkills to master
- Exceptional organisation, diary management, project coordination, managing multiple priorities, strong attention to detail, proficiency with office tech stacks.
You're ready to move on when
- You're managing complex projects or events from start to finish.
- You're proactively anticipating needs and solving problems before they arise.
- You're comfortable with various software tools and can pick up new ones quickly.
- You enjoy the satisfaction of keeping things running smoothly and efficiently for others.
- 3
Sales Operations Assistant / Coordinator
2-4 yearsSkills to master
- CRM proficiency (Salesforce), data entry and hygiene, report generation, understanding sales processes, supporting a client-facing team.
You're ready to move on when
- You're a whiz with Salesforce and can build basic reports.
- You understand the importance of clean data for business decisions.
- You enjoy supporting the sales team and seeing deals close.
- You're keen to move into a post-sales environment and focus on customer retention.