How to sell your skills as a manager

The skills you will need are not always the kind that can be picked up on a degree. Soft skills are invaluable in management because there’s a great deal of work with other people. These can be developed by getting involved in extra-curricular activities such as sports clubs and university societies.

The typical skills required include:

• interpersonal skills
• the ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of people
• leadership skills
• the ability to make good decisions quickly
• good organisation to oversee projects and keep track of people and resources
• diplomacy and thick skin.

In addition, commercial awareness is also increasingly popular. Even managers of not-for-profit organisations need a head for figures to keep control of finances and secure additional funding.

A degree in management or business can be a bonus, and you might need a numerate background if you choose financial management, but you can start a managerial role from practically any background.

Postgraduate qualifications

You will receive lots of on-the-job training to equip you with the skills necessary to be an effective manager. However, if you feel that you’d like more training before you start, you could consider a postgraduate qualification in management, business or economics.

There are a range of postgraduate diploma and masters courses on offer. Be aware, however, that the most common management qualification – the MBA (masters in business administration) – is normally only offered to people who have already started a career in management.