It’s been five weeks since we entered ‘Lockdown’ I am sure you will agree it’s been a very serial time, a time to get used to the new norm if there is a new norm!  This weekend and over the last few days there has been much debate over how we get back to work, safely may I add… 

Working from Home, Furloughed or simply between roles, lots of discussions have taken place around job security, job opportunities and career development. One of these areas which have had little discussion is career development.

Although the job market has been less active than usual during these unprecedented times, planning ahead will be time well spent.  If your career goal is to move into management, we have written some guide notes which may help you decide if now is the right time to make that leap.

Moving into a management level position is perhaps the first ‘big step’ in your career since landing your entry-level role. This is where you start to see bigger salaries, better benefits and more options for progression. However, this isn’t to say that moving into management is for everyone. Just because you have been in a role for a while and know it inside out does necessarily mean that you are suited to be a leader.

By taking a management role you are opening yourself up to a much greater level of responsibility, both for yourself and your team. You will oversee your team’s output as well as each member’s individual growth and well-being. On top of this, you will have to balance your relationship with your employers and your obligations to the company.

If you have considered this and believe that management is for you, we have compiled this advice to give you the best chance of moving up the ladder:

CV Tips

This is your chance to take a fresh look at your CV. Since you are attempting to move to the next level, chances are that you will have a lot of gaps to fill. While it is possible to update your CV to reflect all the achievements you have made to reach this point, it may be a good idea to start from scratch.

Be sure to list all your work history and achievements prominently in your CV, taking care to highlight the ones that make you suitable for a management position. Any projects that you have led or responsibilities you have taken on should be highlighted. However, don’t forget to include your academic background, professional training and qualifications as they are still significant.

At this point in your career, you should be able to back up any claims in your CV with statistics. Lists of skills may be enough at entry-level, but hard data is what will truly impress an employer looking for someone to take responsibility in their business. Pair this data with a well written personal statement/profile and you will come across as someone who is competent in many important aspects of the business world.

Interview Tips

The main thing that an employer is looking for in an interview at the management level is competency. While you will be given a fair amount of leeway for nerves in an entry-level interview, a manager must be a leader, and leaders need to be confident.

The most effective way come across as confident is to be prepared. You will be asked a variety of questions that are designed to test your competency. Be ready to describe situations where you have; demonstrated effective delegation, made unpopular but necessary decisions, worked to deadlines and targets and supervised people, projects and budgets.

There are some common selection methods used by recruiters to help them make the best decision about which applicant is the most suitable:

• Video link Interviews
• Telephone Interviews
• CV based interviews
• Behavioural or Competency-based interviews
• Technical interviews
• Presentations
• Problem-solving exercises
• Practical activities
• Psychometric testing and personality profiling
• Assessment Centre

This is a great time to upskill, there are several businesses/individuals offering free webinars, training and employment guidance all of which are easily accessible on the internet.  Build these into your week and reap the rewards of time well spent.

If you believe you have what it takes to become a manager, we would be delighted to assist you with any of the above www.halecroftrecruitment.co.uk