How to Get a Job as a Manager Level Candidate

Looking for a manager level job is a whole different ball game compared to applying for your first job. Having a well thought out strategy in searching for job openings is essential for your career advancement.

If you wish to land yourself in a manager level job, there are stages and plans you have to set up before you traverse right into your next career move. Here are some essential tips on how to search for a manager position job.

1. Showcase your transferable skills

Taking the role as a manager, requires much more than just monitoring staff. Most in this position need to be adapted with training, giving presentations, developing and interpreting policies or processes. Other responsibilities include recruiting, interviewing, setting up schedules and managing projects from the beginning till the end.

You most probably have the experience to some of these types of responsibilities throughout your career. All you have to do now is to describe how your work experience translates into a management role. Here are prime examples of management-level responsibilities that you can cross-check:

Managing new hire onboardings
Organising company trainings
Propose new departmental policies
Propose new initiatives to leadership
Plan and execute events

Read: What Makes You Employable? Knowledge, Transferable Skills And Personal Qualities Top The List

2. Describe your field of expertise

Having a clear understanding of the ins and outs of your current job, the chemistry of your team and the background of your industry is important if you wish to take on your first management role. Display your expertise on your resume and on your LinkedIn profile. This can be achieved by highlighting the most relevant skills and years of work experience. Describe the industry you are involved in and share any contents that are relevant to your social media profile.

3. Sharpening your management skills

If you think you lack experience and want to strengthen your skills, you should consider attending management courses or working towards getting a certification. Check out short courses that can help you set goals, balance your workload, and achieve new heights. Taking the initiative to improve your skills is a great way to demonstrate your desire for the role. You should also include your training in your resume, even if it’s still in progress.

4. Refine your storytelling

Most hiring managers adopt competency-based interviewing. You will be certainly asked to share your experience during the interview. Come up with a few answers at your disposal that focus on your key skills and be articulate. The easiest way to format your responses is by providing examples, results and hindsights during the interview.

You may be interested in: The Power of Storytelling in Achieving Authentic Leadership

5. Utilising the ‘S.T.A.R’ methodology

Share your best achievements from your career and construct a compelling story around each point with the ‘S.T.A.R’ methodology. This approach will make your answers feel more credible, and it would be easier for employers to fact check your responses.

Situation: Describe the event or situation that you were in.
Task: Describe the task you had to accomplish.
Action: Describe in detail every action you took to accomplish the task.
Result: Conclude with the result of your efforts.

6. Imagine yourself working in that role

You have to project the right personality that suits their business. Talk about them and mention their company name during the interview and make a good first impression. By making your response feeling more personal and realistic, employers can truly see if you are the right person for the role.

Watch: “As you keep developing your skills, you become like a fine wine”, Says Nithin Kamath