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
HR Coordinator / HR Administrator
2-4 yearsSkills to master
- Employee data management, basic HR systems, scheduling, communication with diverse employee groups, understanding of HR policies.
You're ready to move on when
- You're already managing onboarding logistics for new hires.
- You're the go-to person for HR system queries.
- You enjoy organising training sessions as part of your current role.
- You've shown a keen interest in learning and development specifically.
- 2
Executive Assistant / Personal Assistant
3-5 yearsSkills to master
- Complex diary management, event coordination, stakeholder communication, problem-solving under pressure, managing multiple priorities.
You're ready to move on when
- You've successfully organised company events or off-sites.
- You're a master of managing complex calendars and travel arrangements.
- You're known for your meticulous attention to detail and proactive approach.
- You're looking for a role with more process ownership and less direct support to one individual.
- 3
Customer Service / Operations Administrator
2-4 yearsSkills to master
- Problem resolution, clear communication, managing customer expectations, process adherence, working with ticketing systems, data entry accuracy.
You're ready to move on when
- You're great at solving customer problems quickly and patiently.
- You're used to following processes and ensuring high data quality.
- You enjoy the operational side of making things run smoothly.
- You're looking for a role that impacts internal colleagues rather than external customers.