How do I get a job in management?
Everything you need to know about graduate jobs in general management. Whether you want to know how much you could expect to earn, or what areas you could work in, you can find answers to key questions here.
Management is the process of running a business or leading an organisation. A manager will decide how to use resources and employees to best meet the aims of the organisation. Senior managers oversee the entire business, while their more junior colleagues may be responsible for a certain aspect of the organisation’s work, a branch, a franchise or a region. Most management roles will involve directing staff-members, making sure that deadlines are met, solving problems, meeting financial targets, planning and overseeing projects.
Management is sometimes known as business administration – but it doesn’t just apply to commercial situations. Every organisation, no matter how big or small and whatever its area of focus, needs managers – so you can become a manager in any sector. If you have a particular area of interest you can choose to work in that field, whether it’s for a healthcare trust, a charity, a media organisation, in retail, or anywhere else that takes your fancy. Starting your career in a management role could lead to great things. You could progress to be a senior manager in the organisation, perhaps even a director. It also develops all the skills you’d need to start and run your own business.
What are the main management roles?
Managers can work in any job sector and specialise in practically any area. Most large organisations have a similar structure: senior managers make big decisions; middle and lower management oversee their implementation and make small decisions; non-managers follow instructions. As a manager in a small organisation, you may find that you’re involved in a variety of areas, but you’ll still need to make decisions, provide leadership and build your skills. You can choose to work in an area that matches your interests. Options include:
- Managing a particular aspect of an organisation’s business needs, such as human resources, finance or marketing.
- Running a department of an organisation, such as the menswear department of a large shop.
- Becoming a branch manager of a chain establishment, such as a shop, a restaurant or a hotel.
- Becoming a franchise holder, which means you pay the parent company to use its brand name but you manage the franchise. It provides a firm footing on which to start your own business.
What are the entry routes into management?
The most popular way to get started in management is to join a training scheme with a large employer. There are schemes in most sectors, and they come in several forms but tend to involve a series of placements. You might have a chance to work in a variety of departments so that you can choose one that suits you, or you could spend your time at different branches to see how they operate. Graduate management training schemes can be highly competitive so you’ll need to possess a range of soft skills as well as academic abilities.
Small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) also offer management opportunities but they tend to be harder to find and may require some prior experience. If you’d like to be a manager in an SME, it may pay to do an internship or get some work experience during your university holiday, so that you have some practical evidence to prove your credentials. Alternatively, you could work your way up in the company – SMEs tend to recognise contributions and reward them with swift promotion. It’s possible to become a manager by progressing from a hands-on role in any sector. As you become more senior, you’ll take responsibility for overseeing the work of new colleagues (as a team leader) and may progress to running a department (middle management) or even the business (senior management). People who progress through the ranks into a management role often bring practical expertise and a more down-to-earth approach.
What are the opportunities for professional development?
Career progression can be swift in managerial positions – you could join a professional institute or study for a postgraduate qualification to speed it up even further. It’s possible to gain chartered status through the Chartered Management Institute (CMI). You can join this professional body as a student member and study for professional qualifications, which prove your credentials and can be used to advance your career.
Many employers choose to send managers on a postgraduate course to enhance their management skills. Most will offer some support as your increased abilities will benefit the organisation. The most popular form is the masters in business administration (MBA), which usually takes one year, but may last from ten months to two years full time, and can be studied part time or through distance learning. A shorter option is the diploma in management studies (DMS), which is usually studied part time over two years. The DMS can count towards the first year of an MBA. Once you’ve achieved a qualification, you can use your new skills – and any ideas you’ve gained from other students on the course – to improve the management of your business.
What skills and qualifications do I need?
You can work in management no matter what subject you studied at university. Obviously a degree in management or business will get you off to a flying start, and you might need a numerate background if you choose financial management, but you can start a managerial role from practically any background. You will receive lots of on-the-job training to equip you with the skills necessary to be an effective manager. 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. Soft skills are invaluable in management because there’s a great deal of work with other people. Academic ability is useful but you’re sure to have developed some softer skills if you’ve been involved in extra-curricular activities such as sports clubs and university societies. Popular skills in management 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 resourcesdiplomacy and a thick skin.
Every manager needs good commercial awareness so that the organisation can succeed in the business world. Even managers of not-for-profit organisations need a head for figures to keep control of finances and secure additional funding.
This article has been viewed 1352 times.
Rating: 3 / 5 (4 votes cast for this article)
Rate this article:
Related articles