Here’s one very
important thing you should remember about companies looking for managers
– they need someone who can lead. That said, you have to put your best foot
forward and show that you’re a leader, not just a manager.
How do you do this?
First off, leaders are much more than
managers. By this time, it’s already
expected of you to know the ins and outs of being a manager, from
administrative tasks and goal-setting to conflict-resolution and all the other
things managers do. The interviewer will probably ask you if you
know how to emphasize the bottom line and focus on systems and structures. And you should answer all these quite capably.
However, you should also exhibit an eagerness
to make a connection to the team you’ll be assigned to, and to upper management
as well. You should make it a point that
your priority is to lead, to motivate, and develop trust among the members of
your team, yourself, and those above you.
There are key
differences between managers who are simply
managers, and those who are true leaders,
and interviewers can see this from a mile away.
Be the leader. It opens a lot
more doors.
Larry Polhill is a retired career consultant who offers views and insights on how jobseekers can land their dream job. He currently lives in Arizona, taking care of his three grandchildren and running a mini farm. More articles like this on this page.
