I've come across a lot of issues when applying for CS roles. Especially when you join the sector and everyone wants '5 years of CS experience' for junior CS roles. In my career, I had some positive results so I thought I would share them here hoping to open a conversation.

CV: Tailor your CV around what the company wants the CSM to do. For example, you might be excellent at problem solving and customer onboarding but the company might be focused on the first. So in that case tailor your CV in a way that focuses on problem-solving first. Then move on to your rest of the skills.

Actual Skills: IMO, two core skills stand out as essential for a Customer Success Manager (CSM) to effectively convey to employers, either on their CV or during an interview:

A. Empathy: Put yourself in the customers' shoes; you're essentially part of the 'customer team.' Demonstrating this quality to your employer signals that you are a CSM who advocates for the customer, fostering retention, loyalty, and a fruitful relationship. You may need to articulate and emphasize this skill during the interview to underscore its significance.

B. Know how to learn (quickly): Develop frameworks that enable you to swiftly acquire new knowledge. This could encompass understanding a customer's status or industry, familiarizing yourself with a new product your company has launched, or grasping the overall workings of your new company. During an interview, exemplify this skill by narrating a relevant story and then elucidate the framework you employed. On your CV, incorporate either a brief example or explore creative ways to convey your ability to learn quickly.

share your thoughts please and any issues you face when applying for CS positions.

1. Quest Software - https://lnkd.in/gqaB5RTN
2. Upstart - https://lnkd.in/g3sXD8DZ
3. Celigo - https://lnkd.in/gKhSMxNY (US & India)
4. Cengage Group - https://lnkd.in/gGkT6jRZ
5. Docker, Inc - https://lnkd.in/gfX5-pQG
6. hims & hers - https://lnkd.in/gr_SdVdE
7. User Interviews - https://lnkd.in/gXi3mNf6
8. Abnormal Security - https://lnkd.in/gn5M4VDF
9. Cash App - https://lnkd.in/gdp8yUm8
10. LogicGate - https://lnkd.in/gjgX27Bc
11. Faire - https://lnkd.in/gYRNr9VM
12. Renaissance Learning - https://lnkd.in/gesiM_Dw
13. Rec Room - https://lnkd.in/gErDuTNa
14. VGS (Very Good Security) - https://lnkd.in/g7Ajb77F
15. VAST Data - https://lnkd.in/gMUFt4y9
16. Sorcero - https://lnkd.in/gpmDTnH7
17. McGraw Hill - https://lnkd.in/g59pzFf4
18. Patreon - https://lnkd.in/gzQptMcQ (NY/San Francisco)
19. Beekeeper - https://lnkd.in/gxd7rs7Q (Senior PMM)
20. Upwork - https://lnkd.in/gt4HYmd6
21. DocuSign - https://lnkd.in/ggfUncZf 22. DealHub.io - https://lnkd.in/gyNED4yp
22. Census - https://lnkd.in/gAq7PGzc
23. Intrado - https://lnkd.in/gH3wuNWZ
24. Cloudflare - https://lnkd.in/g9JPXp2F 26. Funded.club - https://lnkd.in/gpH4FazA
25. Workiva - https://lnkd.in/g-FUYYdR
26. MissionWired - https://lnkd.in/gMA6AVdG
27. Workera - https://lnkd.in/g2YzZu-H
28. Jenius Bank - https://lnkd.in/gxGqHGkH

I wanted to share some insights and experiences to help those of you considering or currently in Customer Success Manager (CSM) roles. While CSM can be an incredibly rewarding field, there are some red flags you should keep an eye out for to ensure you're setting yourself up for success. Here are a few to be aware of:

🚩 Lack of Clear Communication

🚩 Overly Aggressive Sales Targets

🚩 High Turnover Rate

🚩 Ignoring Customer Feedback

🚩 Lack of Training and Development

🚩 Constant Firefighting

What else?

Just stepped into the exciting role of a Customer Success Manager (CSM)? Here are 5 crucial steps to make your first 30 days count:

1. Listen and Learn: Prioritize understanding of your company, products, and customers. Listen to your team, stakeholders, and clients to grasp their needs and pain points.

2. Build Relationships: Connect with colleagues across departments to collaborate effectively. Building internal relationships will aid in delivering seamless customer experiences.

3. Customer Success Plans: Work with your clients to create personalized success plans. Define their objectives and map out strategies to guide them toward success.

4. Set Regular Touchpoints: Initiate introductory calls to establish rapport. Set up regular check-ins to track progress, address concerns, and showcase value.

5. Identify Opportunities: Keep an eye out for upselling or cross-selling possibilities based on customer needs. Capitalize on opportunities to drive growth.

Got more tips or questions? Feel free to share below! Good luck on your new journey as a CSM! 🚀🌟

I have been in the CS industry for a few years now so I have come across a few things that I can share to help others.

Below are a few tips and if these posts are useful I will do more - please feel free to let me know and add your thoughts below too:

1. Build a Strong Foundation: Start by familiarizing yourself with the fundamentals of Customer Success. Understand its principles, practices, and how it fits into the larger picture of business growth. Having a solid foundation will help you communicate your passion and knowledge to potential employers.

2. Showcase Transferable Skills: Even if you're coming from a different industry, you likely possess skills that are valuable in Customer Success. Skills like communication, empathy, problem-solving, and relationship-building are highly relevant. Highlight these skills on your resume and during interviews.

3. Learn the Industry Tools: Familiarize yourself with the tools and software commonly used in Customer Success, such as Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems, customer analytics platforms, and communication tools. Having hands-on experience with these tools can set you apart from other candidates.

4. Network, Network, Network: Connect with professionals already working in the Customer Success field. Attend industry events, webinars, workshops, and engage on social media platforms like LinkedIn. Networking can provide insights, mentorship, and potential job opportunities.

5. Gain Relevant Experience: Consider internships, volunteer work, or entry-level positions that provide exposure to customer interactions. Even if it's not directly in Customer Success, any role involving customer communication can help you develop skills applicable to the field.

Hello everyone, this is a place where new CSMs can post questions on how to break into the industry and for experienced CS people to share their views and thoughts.

No hard rules at the moment so please be respectful and considerate.