You need experience to be a manager, but you need a leadership role to get experience. How do you get your foot on the managerial ladder if you’ve never managed people before? This is often the dilemma if you want to take the next step in your career.
The good news is that help is at hand! In this latest blog we look at eight ways you can achieve the (seemingly) impossible and become a great boss without a track record in management.
1. Enrol on a CMI management and leadership course
If you are ready to take the next step in your career but you lack management experience on your CV, rest assured you are not alone! A recent study by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) found that 82% of managers surveyed take on management responsibilities without the relevant experience or training to do the job! So, your first step should be to enrol on a management training course which might be quicker and easier than you think.
Reed Learning offers a range of CMI accredited management and leadership qualifications at different levels so there is something for everyone. Courses can be achieved in as little as six weeks for an Award to 12 months for the more comprehensive CMI Diploma in Management and Leadership. All qualifications are designed to help managers develop the skills and knowledge to be proficient in the job and to achieve results for their organisation.
2. Highlight your transferable skills
As you are considering a leadership role, it’s likely that you already possess some of the key management skills to take your career to the next level. Perhaps you have experience training new starters, giving presentations or overseeing specific projects? Alternatively, you might have initiated and carried out an event from start to finish or successfully rolled out a new company policy? All these tasks can translate to leadership responsibilities and show you have some legitimate management experience under your belt.
3. Focus on what you do have
You might not have direct management experience but why not focus on what you do have to offer as a manager:
Do you have great interpersonal skills?
Can you demonstrate your technical capabilities?
Are you a good communicator who can direct others?
Have you coached others in your team?
Can you prioritise tasks and meet deadlines?
These are all skills that apply to effective management. If you able to link these attributes to a management job, your lack of direct experience may go unnoticed.
4. Demonstrate your intent
Even if you are in the process of studying for a management qualification, prospective employers will be impressed that you have taken the initiative to gain the skills and knowledge you need to lead a team. You can still include your training on your CV with information about the management course you are studying including any specific modules and coursework which will advance your case.
5. Lead a project
Have you led a project from start to finish working with colleagues and managing a budget? If so, highlight this on your CV. If you don’t have project management experience, then volunteer to head up a project within your company. You will gain invaluable knowledge which will help you lead and manage others in the future.
6. Look for a mentor
Do you admire the management style of someone in your organisation? Then ask if they can mentor you to help you get ahead in your career. Offer to handle simple management tasks such as scheduling a project or helping with onboarding new team members. The mentorship you receive will help you to listen to others and give feedback so you can become the leader you want to be in the future.
7. Explore internal opportunities
Network with others in your organisation and look for internal opportunities. Staying within the same industry or targeting jobs which allow you to manage functions you’re already familiar with will stand you in good stead and increase your chances of being considered for leadership positions. You’ll be able to point out that you are knowledgeable about the company and the industry when applying for management jobs. It’s also important to make your manager aware of your aspirations along with your HR department so they can keep you informed about opportunities when they arise.
8. Update your CV
Now you have gained more confidence to apply for management roles, it’s time to update your CV to reflect the experience you have to date. Demonstrate any managerial tasks you have performed and occasions where you have achieved results for your team. List relevant skills such as communication and time management. Don’t forget to highlight that you are working towards becoming CMI qualified. CMI qualifications are globally recognised and highly valued by employers.
Remember, whether you can do the job is just one factor an interviewer is considering. Your motivation, demonstration of leadership skills and knowledge of the company culture might just be enough for you to secure your first management role without experience!
Check out our CMI management and leadership programmes.
Benefits of becoming CMI qualified
Research by the CMI suggests that managers who become Chartered gain an average pay rise of £13,000. The real benefits, however, are in the skills and the knowledge gained to become a good manager, including:
Improved communication
More effective written and spoken communication leads to more productive conversations with team members.
Learn to listen
Not everyone responds to the same style of leadership. Learn to listen with the intent of understanding the other person and set aside distractions.
Better decision-making
Develop the techniques and strategies to make decisions in an informed and timely way.
Delegate effectively
Giving a task to the right person, communicating clearly how it should be performed, setting clear goals and then managing the process.
Managing change effectively
In business, change is inevitable. A manager’s key role is to guide and support their teams through change with open communication.
Managing equality, diversity and inclusion
Gain the skills and knowledge needed to support an inclusive and diverse business culture.
Get in touch with the Reed Learning team and start your journey to become a great manager.
