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
Sales Development Representative (SDR) / Account Executive (AE)
2-4 years in roleSkills to master
- Deep understanding of the sales process, objection handling, prospecting techniques, product knowledge, and the emotional resilience required to sell. Basically, you've 'carried a bag' and know what it's like.
You're ready to move on when
- Consistently hit or exceeded sales targets.
- Demonstrated ability to articulate product value and handle common objections.
- Often asked by peers for advice or coaching on sales techniques.
- A genuine interest in helping others improve their sales craft.
- 2
Sales Support / Sales Operations Analyst
3-5 years in roleSkills to master
- Strong understanding of CRM systems (Salesforce), sales data analysis, sales process optimisation, and the tools reps use daily. You've seen the mechanics of sales from a different angle.
You're ready to move on when
- Proficient in Salesforce reporting and dashboard creation.
- Experience identifying inefficiencies in the sales process.
- Often involved in creating sales playbooks or process documentation.
- A knack for breaking down complex processes into simple steps.
- 3
Junior Trainer / Learning & Development Coordinator
2-3 years in roleSkills to master
- Foundational instructional design, presentation skills, event coordination, and managing learning platforms (LMS). You've got the training basics down.
You're ready to move on when
- Successfully delivered basic training modules.
- Positive feedback on presentation style and clarity.
- Experience with LMS administration and content management.
- A clear passion for helping people learn and develop new skills.