Does the idea of becoming a Subject Matter Expert sound interesting? If so, you need a plan for getting promoted to this role.

The first step is to find a regular live chat job with a company likely to use SMEs. So look for software companies, technical organizations, or businesses with a complex set of products.

Once in the role, be sure to take an interest in upgrading your knowledge. You want to be seen as the person who is always ready to learn and happy to grapple with more complex queries.

This in itself may be enough to win you a promotion into an SME role. But if necessary, don’t hesitate to tell management about your interest in this position. Managers are always looking for enthusiastic agents who are ready to step up to the plate.

Don’t expect to be promoted overnight, though. You have a lot to learn and should expect to go through a period of training first. 

When your manager decides you are ready to move up to the SME role, you will probably be assigned an expert to train with. This will usually be an existing SME who has been doing the role for a while and understands everything you need to know about the job.

You will work with your training partner to get up to speed on all the critical matters, including:

In some cases, you may be required to complete online training using video courses or other online learning resources. It may also be necessary to train with different people in the organization who have the specialized knowledge you need. 

When the training is completed, you may have to pass a test to confirm your understanding of everything you have learned. Don’t worry, though; this should be straightforward if you have been paying attention.

At the end of the training, you will be ready to move up and start work as a Subject Matter Expert. This may be a little daunting on your first day, but remember that you have been thoroughly trained. So you will be ready to take on whatever comes your way.

Of course, there will be a learning curve. No doubt you will learn more in your first week on the job than you did in the whole of your training. That’s perfectly normal...learning on the job is part of the experience.

Nobody expects you to be a perfect expert right out the gate. So be prepared to ask for help if you need it. More experienced SMEs will be on hand to help fill in the gaps in your knowledge.

Once you’re over the nerves of the first day or two, you are sure to love being a Subject Matter Expert. And, of course, you will love it even more when you receive your first, bigger paycheck!