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
Office Administrator / Receptionist
1-2 yearsSkills to master
- Organisation, scheduling, professional communication, managing multiple priorities, basic IT literacy. You've been the glue keeping an office together.
You're ready to move on when
- You're the person everyone asks to organise meetings because you're so good at it.
- You've handled a high volume of calls and emails with a smile.
- You're keen to move into a more specialised role within HR.
- 2
Customer Service Representative
1-2 yearsSkills to master
- Empathy, problem-solving, calm under pressure, clear communication (written and verbal), managing expectations. You know how to make people feel heard.
You're ready to move on when
- You excel at de-escalating tricky customer situations and leaving them happy.
- You're a master at explaining complex information simply.
- You enjoy helping people and want to apply that skill in a new context.
- 3
Recent Graduate / School Leaver
0 years (direct entry)Skills to master
- Academic organisation, research skills, eagerness to learn, strong foundational IT skills. You're bright, keen, and ready to dive in.
You're ready to move on when
- You've shown excellent organisational skills in your studies or extracurricular activities.
- You're a quick learner and genuinely excited about a career in HR.
- You can demonstrate a strong work ethic and attention to detail.