Keeping up to date with financial and business news can also save you a lot of grief when it comes to looking for management jobs. Some companies are in a rocky position financially and need to cut costs and therefore jobs. It only makes sense to avoid these organizations and to look for work in financially stable companies.
Of course, there are different horses for different courses and one man’s ideal job is another man’s nightmare. An important aspect of finding a manager’s job that you will love and that will reward you for your efforts is to look for a job description and a working environment that meet your personal needs and match your values, approach, and personality. If you are a flamboyant individual with creative flair, then managing a very formal workplace where people rarely smile is not likely to make you happy. Neither are you likely to please your employers. An important part of your manager job search, therefore, should be to find a job that is a natural fit for who you are as a person, not just for your qualifications.
So now you are clear that the difference between a superb and lousy manager’s job is whether or not it is right for you personally, you can begin to look for appropriate management jobs. Make sure that your qualifications, skills and experience match the management roles you are aiming for (if not, take steps to fill in the gaps) and then you can begin your manager job search in earnest. Treat it as a bit of a game and you will probably find yourself enjoying the process.
Online job sites have fast become one of the quickest and most effective ways to find and apply for suitable jobs. The large generalist jobs sites advertise thousands of new jobs every day and make it easy to browse or search for the jobs you are interested in. You can search by category, location, and salary. You can also do advanced searches for specific job titles or on certain keywords which help locate the sort of job you are looking for. Once you have found some management jobs that suit, you can even apply online by uploading your resume and application letter directly to the employer. This streamlines the whole process and increases the number of jobs you can easily apply for. Since applying for work is often a numbers game, applying for more jobs is likely to get you a job offer sooner.
Specialist online job sites are also a great source of management jobs. You can use the service of sites which only advertise management positions as well as those that advertise jobs in your area of specialty. For example, if you are an advertising manager, you can find job sites which specialize in advertising and related positions. As with the larger jobs sites, these smaller specialist sites also allow you to apply online. They often have informative articles you can read as well which will help you in your job search.
Recruitment companies can also be excellent sources of suitable management jobs. You can find them online or you can telephone them and make an appointment. They will usually advertise current vacancies on their Web sites, but consultants in these firms already have clients they can talk to if a particularly good candidate happens along. It is worth taking the time and effort to get yourself in front of someone who can make a few calls on your behalf.
If you are already working as a manager and are looking for a better position elsewhere, take a moment to consider the contacts you have made in your current role. Suppliers, clients, customers, professional services, and colleagues can all potentially help you into your next position. Obviously, you will need to be somewhat discreet, but if you see part of your current job as networking and building relationships you will place yourself in the best possible career. In fact, a lot of jobs are never even advertised because they are offered to people as a result of personal knowledge or word-of mouth-recommendation.
Read industry or professional journals which are relevant to you, not only to keep up to date in your job but also for the employment advertisements you will find in them. Sometimes these jobs are not advertised anywhere else as employers want applicants who they know are interested in their field.
Don’t forget newspapers. Many employers still only advertise in the print media. Read your largest regional paper on the day it has the highest number of employment ads and remember that many management jobs will be advertised in display ads in the main news sections of the paper as well as in the employment section.
If you take a strategic approach to your manager job search, you will find appropriate jobs and even encourage them to come to you. As long as you ensure your resume is professional, relevant, and up to date, and your letters of application address the specific selection criteria for each position you are applying for, you will be offered interviews. Dress professionally, take the time to research the organization you are applying to, be relaxed and friendly while still professional, and you will have an excellent chance of landing just the right management position for you.
