Ready for Management? How to Make the Move up the Ladder
Do you think you're ready for management responsibilities in the workplace? Review a management readiness checklist to determine how prepared you really are.
By Annabelle Reitman, Career Management Consultant
There are a number of indications that can determine readiness for a management position...
Indicators That it's Time to Move On
Are you in a staff or line job and beginning to think about one or more of the following:
- that it is time to move on,
- that you are in a rut and restless,
- that you need to make a career shift and/or,
- that you are bored and are ready for a new challenge?
If so, you should give serious consideration to moving into a management position.
Promotions, in most situations, are basically competitive. There is only one winner. And only you are responsible for your success through hard work, initiative, motivation, and confidence. However, you do have to think realistically about your chances for promotion, particularly from staff to management. First of all, assuming: a) you like your employer and b) you have been in your present position the accepted length of time before seeking a promotion, your present job performance should reflect excellence and professional quality work.
From Cubicle to Corner Office
If you meet the above requirements then you need to think about the following:
- How often does a management-level position open up in your organization?
- What are your chances that your boss will recommend you move from a staff/line position to a management career path?
- Do you need to think seriously about changing employers in order to move up the ladder?
There are a number of indications that can determine readiness for a management position. Review this checklist and mark those items that are true for you:
- You propose ideas to your boss and colleagues to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of your office or department. Your proposals are accepted and actually initiated.
- You represent your department at a meeting sometimes when your boss is unable to attend or has been asked to send a staff member.
- You always ask how you can improve your performance level at the time of your quarterly and/or annual reviews.
- You have started to identify and develop the expertise you will need to move into management.
- You have let your boss know of your interest in moving to a management type position.
- You have begun to apply for internal management job openings either in your immediate division or in other departments to test the waters. You have discussed what the hiring person is seeking in a candidate for a specific position.
- You have begun to market yourself where and when it is appropriate, informing people about your achievements and newly acquired management skills and knowledge base.
How do you feel you did? How many items did you check off? If you checked off 2 or less, you still need to do some preparation to successfully make the leap from staff/line to management. If you checked off 5 or more items, congratulations, you should be actively looking to obtain management responsibilities. Good luck!
RESOURCES
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