Getting the right management skills for the job
Management skills are key to thriving in today's whirlwind business environment. Whether you're steering a team, executing a project, or charting your course, strong management skills are your ticket to success.
In this post, we'll dive into why these skills are vital and arm you with practical tips for their development. This includes assessing your strengths and weaknesses and continuous learning and growth. We'll also list some of the most sought-after management skills and show you how to highlight them in interviews and on your resume.
- What are management skills?
- Developing your management skills
- Most common and in-demand management skills
- Articulating your management skills in interviews
- Showcasing your management skills on your resume
- Good luck with your next job!
- FAQs
What are management skills?
Management skills are like a Swiss Army knife — they’re versatile tools to help you get things done in a professional environment. They can help you lead teams, streamline processes, and create an inspiring and productive work environment. Many organisations also seek certain management skills because the job or work culture needs them.
Developing these skills requires a combination of self-awareness, continuous learning, and hands-on experience. By honing your management skills, you can enhance your career prospects and become a valuable asset to your team and organisation.
Developing your management skills
Assessing your strengths and weaknesses
Understanding your strengths and weaknesses is essential for professional growth and effective leadership. There are many different ways to self-assess.
Start with a little soul-searching. Think back on your time as a manager. The good, the bad, and the ugly. What makes you stand tall, and where do you stumble? Be real with yourself. It’s only by acknowledging your strengths and weaknesses that you can improve.
Leverage assessment tools. There are tons of tools available online designed to evaluate different types of management skills. The Myers-Briggs personality test is a good example of this. It's used by schools and companies to assess personality types.
Ask your colleagues, peers, and supervisors for feedback. They can give you fresh insights into your management style. Do this through performance reviews, one-on-one meetings, or informal feedback.
Compare your findings with industry benchmarks. Look at the types of management skills considered the gold standard in your field and the nitty-gritty of your management role. This can help you pinpoint areas where you might need to level up your game or learn something new.
Continuous learning and improvement
Continuous learning and improvement are the hallmarks of great management. The business world is always changing; good managers know they need to change and grow to stay on top.
This means always looking for new information, skills, and perspectives to improve your abilities. You can do this by attending workshops and conferences, taking online courses, reading industry publications, and talking to other managers. It also helps to have a growth mindset — seeing challenges as a chance to learn and grow rather than as roadblocks.
And let's not forget about the power of fresh thinking. Champion creativity and innovation in your team and be open to new ways of doing things. Don't be afraid to take a leap and try something new — calculated risks are often the key to game-changing solutions. Stay updated on industry trends and best practices to see if your skills and strategies are relevant.
Most common and in-demand management skills
Leadership
Leadership is the knack for influencing, motivating, and guiding others toward a shared goal. The most effective leaders inspire, foster a positive work environment, and empower team members. They also build trust and camaraderie by encouraging open work cultures and feedback loops.
Ineffective leaders are the opposite — they lack vision and foster toxic work environments that nurture favouritism and exclusion.
Time management
Time management is your superpower to plan and prioritise tasks, efficiently and effectively. Good time managers set realistic goals, break down large tasks into smaller, manageable ones, and use their time wisely. They identify the most important tasks and focus on those first. They also know they can’t achieve things on their own. Instead, they delegate tasks and use tools like calendars, apps, and to-do lists.
Communication
Communication is all about getting your point across clearly and effectively, whether speaking or writing. This is important for giving instructions, delegating tasks, or conveying a vision.
Great communicators are fantastic listeners. They create channels for open, constructive feedback and are understanding of the viewpoints of others. And because they’re good listeners, they can adapt their communication style to fit diverse teams and work environments.
Problem-solving
Problem-solving is the knack for spotting, dissecting, and fixing issues. Every team faces their own set of challenges, so a manager needs to be able to nip these in the bud quickly and effectively.
Great problem-solvers think on their feet and cook up innovative solutions to overcome challenges. Problem-solving also involves identifying potential risks, preparing backup plans, and involving the team in finding to find solutions.
Project management
Project management is the art of planning, organising, and executing projects that hit the deadlines and tick off all the marks. A good project manager can define the project's goals and come up with a solid plan. They are masters of juggling different tasks. And they know when to apply different project management methodologies based on the project’s needs.
Negotiation
Negotiation is the art of reaching an agreement, even when interests collide. This is especially important in a team setting where many perspectives come together. Skilled negotiators build connections, spot shared goals, and find solutions that satisfy everyone. They use assertive communication techniques, stay cool under pressure, and think strategically.
Strategic planning
Strategic planning is about the long game. It's the skill of crafting and executing those grand, sweeping plans for an organisation. A strategic planner can spot threats and opportunities, distribute resources, and paint a clear path to goals.
Articulating your management skills in interviews
In any job interview, communicating your management skills is key to showing you have what it takes to succeed in the role. Here are some tips to help you show off your management skills in an interview:
Prepare specific examples
Put together a list of real-life instances that show off your leadership chops. Detail the context, action, and outcomes of these situations. Include both your successes and shortcomings, as long as you highlight what you learned from your mistakes. Here’s an example:
Question: How do you deal with pressure or stressful situations?
Response: I know stressful situations are going to come up no matter how well your team or company is doing, so I keep a level head and assess the situation so I can come up with a solution. For example, during a new product launch, we found out there were still a few bugs in the app. Instead of panicking, I gave clear instructions to the development team so we could resolve the issue as fast as possible.
Use the STAR method
Structure your responses as Situation, Task, Action, and Result. This provides clarity and conciseness to your examples and showcases your communication skills.
Relate the skills to the job role
You probably have tons of technical skills and experiences but only a few apply to the role you are applying for. When you’re talking about past successes, make sure they’re the ones that show off the skill the job requires to prove you’re the right person for the job.
Showcasing your management skills on your resume
Your resume is critical in communicating your abilities and worth to future employers. Here's how to emphasise your management skills in your resume:
Highlight key skills in a dedicated section
Like the interview, you want to put your relevant skills front and centre. Create a section that lists key technical skills and experiences. Use industry-specific terms for better resonance.
Quantify achievements
Where possible, put numbers to your accomplishments. It’s a great way to show the real impact of your management skills. For example: “Led a team of 10 customer service reps, boosting customer satisfaction ratings by 20%.”
Use action verbs
Start your bullet points with punchy action verbs. This includes “managed,” “led,” “developed,” “implemented,” or “coordinated.” This approach conveys a sense of proactivity and leadership.
Tailor experience to the role
Make sure your resume is as unique as you are. Match your experience with the job description’s requirements. You can promote any other technical skills or experiences you think add value to your prospective role as well.
Here’s an example of what you can put on your resume:
Personal Summary | I am a results-driven business operations manager with over 8 years of leadership experience in the field of strategic planning and process optimisation. I have a proven track record of streamlining processes, reducing costs, and improving overall efficiency. |
Work history | Business Operations Manager Led a cross-functional team in optimising operational processes and achieved a 20% increase in overall efficiency Operations Supervisor Implemented inventory management best practices and reduced stockouts by 15%. Operations Analyst Developed a data-driven decision-making process that resulted in a 25% increase in operational effectiveness. |
Skills | Strategic planning Process optimisation Data analysis Cross-functional collaboration Adaptability Time management Project management Great communication skills |
Good luck with your next job!
Management skills are your secret weapon to climbing that career ladder. By fine-tuning these skills, you're becoming a better leader, boosting your career, and giving your organisation a leg up.
Management skills aren't something you're born with. You develop them through experience, education, and a commitment to being your best. So, lean into opportunities to level up, welcome feedback with open arms, and keep your finger on the pulse of what's happening in your industry.
FAQs
- What are the essential skills required for a successful management career?
The essential skills are time management, communication, problem-solving, project management, negotiation, and strategic planning. These tools will help you steer your team, make smart calls, and reach those big organisational goals. - How would you describe your management skills?
When talking about your management skills, be sure to paint a vivid picture with real-life examples of how you've made a difference in your last job. Shine a light on your leadership chops, your knack for solving problems, how you communicate like a pro, and other leadership skills. - What are the most important management skills to include on my resume?
Include the ones most relevant to the job you’re applying for. Your resume doesn’t have to be the same for every position you apply for. It’s best to take a tailored approach, matching the skills you have with those listed in the job description. - How can I tailor my resume to highlight relevant management experiences?
When listing your management skills, spotlight relevant leadership and management experiences. Numbers talk, so quantify your wins where you can, showing off your impact.
When you're listing your responsibilities and triumphs, use action-packed verbs to keep it engaging. And remember to tweak your resume to fit the job you're gunning for, shining a light on the skills that matter most for that role. - What are some common mistakes to avoid when listing management skills on my resume?
Listing too many leadership skills that are irrelevant to the job. This dilutes the qualities that hiring managers want to find. Typos and grammatical errors are also bad form because they paint a picture of an applicant who is sloppy and not detail-oriented.
