Becoming a manager?

So you have your eye on that managerial role, but is aiming for it the best option for you and if it is, what might be stopping you from getting it?

It almost seems like a norm of our society that we should whenever and wherever possible try to climb the career ladder and progress into and up through management. For some this may be suitable but for others a different approach might be more satisfying.

Before applying for management positions there are a few key factors you might consider, such as:

Asking yourself if you have the right skills to be a manager.  Have you been properly trained and prepared for the task of managing others?  Do you really want to manage others?

By moving up the career ladder, you will naturally be given more responsibility which may lead to an increased work load. Is this something you are prepared for? 

It’s also important to consider when to go for a managerial role. If you have plans to leave the company in the near future, getting promoted, trained-up and then leaving shortly afterwards might reflect negatively on you.

It’s also important to think about the position being offered. For example has the role seen a line of people come and go in quick succession? If so this could be a warning sign.

If moving into a managerial position is the thing for you then what can you do to ensure that you stand out of the crowd in the right way?

It can be useful when thinking about this to try and step into the shoes of the manager who will be interviewing you for a junior management job. 3 things that they might consider when choosing who to promote might be:

1. Who looks and acts the part.

When they look at the employees in the office, they will be asking themselves: Who takes their work seriously? Who does the bare minimum and who goes that extra mile? Who dresses like they mean business and who pushes the boundaries in terms of what is acceptable appearance wise? If you want to be taken seriously you have to look and act the part.

2. Who is amiable yet respected?

Another aspect being considered is the interpersonal skills of the applicants. Who gets on well will others? Who manages the balance well between being too assertive and not assertive enough in their inter-personal interactions?

3. Who is organised?

The third thing they might be looking for is someone who is organised and who knows how to prioritize well. If you barely manage your own workload now, it is unlikely you will be able to manage yours in addition to somebody else’s. Having a good ability to prioritize is key to being a good manager.

In short just because a managerial position is there, doesn’t mean you should automatically apply for it. A close look at yourself, your current situation and the position itself is necessary first.