Man and woman - a job interview or business meeting. Male student came to the office to get a job. HR Manager conducts the first interview. Agree on. Discuss the possibilities of business cooperation. Photo courtesy of Shutterstock.
To become a manager, one must show an employer they possess a wide variety of skills. Leadership skills are crucial. So is the ability to communicate, handle adversity, and deal with diverse personalities and skill sets.
A first-time manager must also develop strong critical thinking, analytical, and problem-solving skills to be successful, says Sylvia R.J. Scott, Founder of Girls’ C.E.O. Connection™ (Girl’s Creating Enterprising Organizations), a for-profit social enterprise dedicated to engaging and equipping high school girls as entrepreneurs. They also must show the company can trust them, which is why they were hired as a manager.
Know and understand your company culture.
Know the parameters of your particular position. That includes how much leeway you have on decision making.
Ask questions and get clarity even if you think you understand. As a manager you don’t have time for you and/or your staff to make mistakes.
Expect the best-not perfection from your staff. Praise them when it is appropriate. If there are issues face them immediately.
Learn each person’s strengths and weaknesses. Play on their strengths, not their weaknesses.
Control your emotions, tongue, and actions. Avoid gossip, even after hours or with colleagues. Take a break if someone is pushing your buttons. Watch the tone of your emails when responding to challenges, and watch the tone of your voice.
Always use proper English, grammar and spelling when writing any type of communication, even an email. They need to be as clearly written as any other business communication.
Find a mentor within the company and then one outside your company that knows the ropes of being a manager and what is needed to excel.
When a new college graduate puts together a one-page resume (as experts recommend), every word must count.
An employer spends just seconds scanning each resume to decide if it’s going into the “interview” or the “toss” pile.
What “soft skills” do employers see as most important in potential employees?
Employers looking to hire new college graduates place the ability to work in a team at the top of the list, according to a new survey conducted by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE).