There are some key factors to consider when looking to move into a management role:
CPD – you will need to develop into your new role with a different set of responsibilities and demands on your time. You will also need to ask your company for support with coaching, mentoring and training so that you can develop into an effective manager. Some companies have set management programmes however others are more designed around your individual requirements. Everyone needs support to grow into a new role so don’t feel a failure and ask for support from the very start.
Don’t underestimate your soft skills – people skills will be essential for you to succeed in your new role. Listening and your ability to communicate messages and directions in a positive way will become an essential trait. Practice your problem solving skills and thinking in a creative way will also help you.
Manage expectations – you must thoroughly understand your company’s short and long term work priorities and be able to communicate your new team’s specific and measurable goals.
Let it go – delegation is key in your new role, you cannot do everything yourself or expect your team members to do a job exactly as you would have done. Your role is to now empower and inspire your team to achieve your collective goals. Use your experience to guide others, you can dictate the outcome (the what) and purpose (the why) but allow your team to choose the method (the how) for themselves.
Take the lead – you will need to become a leader, a coach, a mentor and able to inspire and enable your team to achieve their individual potential. To be effective at this you will need to blend leadership skills in with your own management style. Growing and developing your team will become a priority to keep happy and motivated staff.
Practically perfect – if there is nowhere for you to progress in your current company why not consider your own start up or a move to another employer. If you want to stay at your current employer find out if there are any extra groups, projects or areas of development within the business that you can join.
Top tips from John Clark Motor Group about application forms
- Employers use their own application forms so they can ask specific questions relevant to the actual vacancy and to ascertain why the applicant actually wants to work for the company.
- There is normally space for applicants to add additional information and applicants should use this to tell the company why they should be interviewing them.
- If there is only an application why not send an email with additional information this will make you stand out and say to the company you are very keen.
- We look at our person specification and match, then we look at grammar and spelling as attention to detail is very important as we have had applications with other company names on them.
- On a CV we look for work / life experience and qualifications. In a letter we are looking for the applicant to tell us why they want to work for the business and what they could bring to the role.
- A bad example is when we receive a CV with no covering letter and we are supposed to work out which role within the business they are applying for or have an interest in.
- Good questions at interviews are about career development and training opportunities.
- Do not ask about money or holidays at the interview.
For Management Interviews Questions please click on the link on the right hand side, this will give you an idea of what questions may be asked.