Deciding which career path to head down isn’t always easy when you reach a crossroads.

You need to be the best in your chosen specialism. Identifying a niche where you can position yourself as the go-to expert gives you the space to shine, bringing extra value and providing something no one else can do quite as well you.

If you’re struggling to discover just what this is, you’re not alone. This is a conundrum many job seekers wrestle with.

Thankfully, help is at hand! We’ve matched up some of the best specialist roles in the worlds of sales, customer service and call and contact centres… and pinpointed the skills you’ll need to excel at them.

Let’s begin by reminding ourselves not all witches or wizards are graduates from Hogwarts. Technical whizzkids can work their very own brand of magic as a customer service support engineer. Typically based in a contact centre, you’ll specialise in solving technical problems related to a product or service.

An inside-out knowledge of your company is vital for this role, as is the ability to troubleshoot remotely by translating often complex technical jargon into everyday language the customer easily understands.

And if breaking down language barriers is your thing, why not put your skills to good use as a multilingual customer support specialist?

Using your incredible gift of many gabs, you’ll be liaising with global companies and customers via telephone, email and social media and answering questions and queries relating to products and services. As a minimum, you’ll be fluent in two languages. The more languages you know, the more valuable you are!

Of course, as any language expert will tell you, the true art of communication relies on one thing: really listening.

Are you a fantastic listener? Pragmatic? Full of good advice? Then you could be perfectly suited to a career as a helpline worker. There are various call and contact centres out there who specialise in everything from health to homelessness.

Regardless of the specific nature of the helpline your mission remains the same: to provide support, empathy and advice to clients, making referrals for them and following up their cases with regular contact. Often simply talking can make huge and positive changes to lives.

Another specialism where being a pro in the art of conversation – some might even say a natural chatterbox – is in the world of sales. Frontline selling can be challenging but for those who are passionate about what they do – and the rewards it brings – it’s a challenge well worth taking it.

Whether you want to sell supercars, promote pensions or barter in biscuits, the world’s best salespeople are the planet’s perfect persuaders. That’s why you’ll treat every interaction with a customer or client as though it’s a conversation with an old friend and not just another sales pitch.

Sales and customer service are also increasingly moving into the realms of social media. If you’re you a fan of Facebook, a top Tweeter or a lover of LinkedIn, then you’ll love working as a social media customer care representative, specialising in answering queries, problem solving and responding to feedback via digital domains.

This role involves monitoring social media accounts, responding appropriately and in a timely fashion… and, of course, ensuring customer satisfaction through an enjoyable customer experience.

Back in the real world – yes there are jobs in the right here and now – if you love working with the public and thrive in a fast-paced environment, why not consider forging a career as a receptionist? As part of a company or a hotel, the role of receptionist is essential as the public face of the brand.

As well as being an expert in making schedules and problem-solving when dates or diaries go bottoms up, receptionists are also top-notch communicators.

As companies big and small embrace the notion of going global with their business and hotel chains establish themselves in new locations, you can also boost your career prospects further by learning additional languages.

When it comes to satisfying the customer, there’s a job out there for everyone…and with your specialised skillset, there’s a niche role just waiting to be snapped up on [site_name].