The path to becoming a manager is not easy. One must acquire relevant experience plus soft and hard skills and pair those with industry knowledge. In this insight, we explore how to become a manager in six steps and the skills required to perform effectively.
Reserch
Know Your Skills
Improve Skills
Discuss
Work Hard
Apply
Research is key
Understand the requirements for your ideal managerial job, which includes reviewing the common roles and responsibilities and essential skills. To increase the value of your search, include various types of research such as reading professional articles related to the managerial position, searching for the job descriptions, and discussing the matter with a seasoned career advisor to ensure you properly prepare. In addition, network with likeminded people to gain insights about their own experiences. Finally, discuss your aspirations with your immediate manager to understand what to expect and, more importantly, what is expected from you.
Know your existing skills
Based on the initial research, perform a self-audit of your own skills and how they apply to the desired managerial position. Set realistic goals to pursue the position of choice as well as a clear timeline to achieve your goals. The set goals and timeline depend entirely on your skills self-assessment and gap analysis. Prior performance reviews provide a good starting base for your self-assessment as well as asking your colleagues for their honest opinions.
Improve your skills
Based on the results of the self-assessment, develop a list of the current and desired skills and work on improving them. Prepare a plan on how to close the gaps in the skill set based on SMART goals:
Make your Goals specific for a Clear Path to follow
Be Able to measure your goals to know when you accomplish them
Achievable goals keeps you motivated
Goals should be relevant to reach your career aspirations
Set a timeline for completion to monitor your progress
Discuss your goals with your manager
Your manager has probably undergone the same path you are now trying to take. This experience can be helpful in your journey to becoming a manager. Their guidance helps you identify if you are ready to take on managerial responsibilities and those discussions will prove beneficial on future interviews.
Work hard
Now that you have your growth plan identified, the next stage revolves around showing your skills at the office and ensuring your colleagues and managers know your worth. This is true irrespective of whether you seek a management position outside or inside your place of work. If you are planning to apply for a management position outside of your current company, you should continue to work hard at your current company to improve your skill set and obtain a good referral. If your interest in a management position in at your current company, this would be the time to identify where the company has room for career progression. It will be vital to show your initiatives by setting goals and implementing new procedures to improve profit, and strategy to help the company grow.
Apply for a position
Your final step once you harnessed your skill set and proved yourself is to apply for that management position. You should understand how the hiring process works and ensure that you research available vacancies, and that you meet the required qualifications.