Career Growth Tips From A Customer Experience Veteran

As someone who’s worked in the customer service industry for more than a decade, I’ve had my share of wins and losses. Through it all, I’ve gained lots of knowledge and perspective on building a customer experience career. On my journey, I’ve picked up some essential career growth tips that could help you too!

Three things can move a career forward and upward faster:

• The drive to continue improving skills
• The strength to go beyond your comfort zone
• The dedication to working hard

Seems basic enough, right? You’ve probably heard leaders and managers mention these to inspire their teams. But, the devil is in the details. Let me share how each of these tips helped me move up the ranks at TTEC Pampanga.

Willingness to learn

A growing career starts with developing skills. I’ve made it a point to continuously improve my abilities and knowledge through a combination of structured training programs and self-initiated learning.

TTEC offers a variety of free digital training modules for employees. These courses enhance both technical and soft skills and include training in customer service excellence and advanced communication techniques. New knowledge is just a click away at TTEC. It’s that easy!

I’ve completed different courses for Trainers, Lean Six Sigma – White Belt, and more using our digital training tools. Stay updated with industry standards and best practices and you’re ready for any career growth opportunities for employees.

A willingness to learn also means actively seeking out mentorship and guidance from leaders within the company. Mentors have provided me with practical advice, helped me avoid common pitfalls, and offered constructive criticism – all crucial for my development. I just had to be brave enough to ask for guidance from people I admired.

Mentors have also played a pivotal role in expanding my professional network, which opened doors to new opportunities and collaborations. We all need our Mr. Miyagi! We don’t grow alone.

Eagerness to evolve

Moving your career forward means leaving comfort behind and venturing into new scopes of work or responsibilities. Different career opportunities in Pampanga require different skills and experiences. You need to expose yourself to new challenges to be prepared for bigger roles. Training needs teaching skills. Leadership roles require management experience.

My advice for employees who want to achieve the same career growth is to always be proactive in seeking out new opportunities for growth and development. I’ve always shown interest in new challenges and career growth opportunities for employees.

Serve as consultant for another team. Volunteer to lead a project. Be vocal about problems and enhancements you think of. In fact, you can even showcase your professional skills in activities that aren’t work-related.

I’ve volunteered to lead or participate in different company events like our Summer Party, the TTEC Foundation, our Sports League, and more. Show a willingness to go above and beyond your responsibilities. That will position you as a great asset – enthusiastic, proactive, and ready to lead.

I also made sure to network and build relationships with colleagues and leaders across different departments. This helped me gain a better understanding of the company as a whole and opened doors for collaboration and learning opportunities.

Also, that helps you show your value not just with your team, but also across the company. Be visible! A good company will see your potential if you keep shining.

I connected with colleagues from the training department, operations, and business support groups. I learned so many things from the people there. Also, the value of my work and how it connects to the larger success of the company became clearer. Understanding the larger ecosystem of your career can help you clarify the path you want to take.

You can also build connections outside of your company. I participated in BPO networking events, joined industry-related social media groups, and spoke with successful people in the customer experience industry. There are plenty of people who are willing to help you achieve your goals.

Demonstrate hard work

Speaking of going above and beyond, the most important thing to get ahead is to show your dedication and diligence to help your team and company as a whole. I’ve consistently demonstrated a strong work ethic and a willingness to take on responsibilities. That helped me stand out and get consideration for advancement opportunities.

Coordinate tasks. Hit target deadlines. Exceed quality standards. Support colleagues through any challenges. Be punctual. Be prepared. Be accountable. Show consistent commitment. Do those and you earn trust and respect from peers. You become a culture setter. I did those. You can too!

TTEC and your journey forward

I started as an agent for two years. Then, my career was elevated to Training. In roughly the same amount of time, I went back to Operations as a Team Leader. Now, I’m an Operations Analyst and serve as a Readiness Ambassador.

By continuously developing skills, stepping out of my comfort zone, and simply showing a great work ethic, I’ve been able to reach new heights at TTEC Pampanga. Anyone can do that too. Career growth is achievable here through your own dedication, hard work, and a proactive mindset.

Be part of a company where your career can be nurtured! Check out our career opportunities in Pampanga and other openings in the Philippines. Spark your career with a Great Place to Work® certified company!