5 Ways to Land Yourself a Manager Position

For all you millennials who are just stepping foot in the workplace, I have a few pieces of advice for you. Take it from someone who’s been there..it’s not as scary as it looks.

Cultivating your dreams into a reality can definitely be scary and nerve racking but it’s exciting! Worrying will only limit what you’re actually capable of achieving and as soon as you realize that, you’ll be successful.

Even if you’ve just graduated college and are job searching for your first-ever, real-world position, you can make it something pretty incredible. Now, unless you have a few years of actual managerial experience, it’s unlikely you will be given a manager position when you’re first hired to work for a company. But fear not! That’s why I’m here. To help you make your way there. Your talents, knowledge and professional skills will take you very far when implemented properly. The concept is simple, you just have to apply yourself and really want it.

Here are 5 ways to land yourself a manager position.

1. Take yourself and your position seriously.

This isn’t one of those laid back and casual jobs you had in high school or college to earn some extra cash for the weekends. This is a real job where people and clients are relying on you to deliver goods and services, whatever that might be. It’s time to get serious and attack your position. Own it in every way possible by listening to the higher ups, asking for advice and doing what they tell you to do.

It’s important not to come in with an overly proud mindset when you start out at a job, acting like you know everything. Because you don’t know everything. Do as you’re told and learn how operations work there before speaking your mind. That might sound harsh, but it’s true. Observe and absorb. Once you get a real grasp of the work culture and how things are run, then make suggestions and give input. I promise you’ll have a lot more to bring to the table once you’re acclimated to the atmosphere.

2. Always ask questions.

Don’t be afraid to share your concerns. If you’re confused, don’t be embarrassed. The best part about just starting out is that you’re allowed to ask as many questions you can possibly think of. Whoever your employer is, wants to set you up for success. They can’t do this if you’re trying to be a good sport when they ask “you got it?” and you say “yes,” when you really don’t.

Also, asking questions isn’t a sign of weakness. It shows your dedication to doing your best and just trying to gain more knowledge about the position and the company. Because even if your title is assistant, coordinator, or associate, you can go way beyond that definition. Always strive for more than what you’re expected to be. That’s when you’ll stand out.

3. Take on more than you can handle.

This is controversial advice. Obviously you don’t want to run yourself to the ground and burn out because you were afraid to say no to an executive. But, I always think it’s good to add a tad bit of stress and challenge to your workday. As long as you learn good time management, can meet deadlines and have the resources to do so, just go for it. An extra email, article or research can go a long way. And the executives will acknowledge your hard work.

If for some reason, you thought you could handle the extra work but are failing to get the job done correctly, be honest. It’s okay if you have to step back every once in awhile and let someone who has the time and skills to do it. There’s a reason they refer to company culture as being important for success. You have to be able to help each other succeed.

4. Build relationships internally and externally.

Everyday should be a new opportunity to get to know someone better. Whether the company you work for consists of 20,000 people or 20 people, there are always chances to develop meaningful relationships throughout your career. This includes everyone you work with and the clients you communicate with on a daily basis. If you get in good with the clients, and all the employees love you, no one will be able to say anything bad.

Everyone knows the classic “it’s all about who you know,” quote. The more people you get to know, the more people who see your skill set and the more people that trust you, will help land opportunities for the rest of your life. Building a reputation for yourself is necessary to move forward. Become someone worth remembering.

5. Become the go-to person.

And finally, become the go-to person. This is a term I created myself but what it really means is that you’re the know-it-all. And not the annoying kind. Once you’ve gotten your feet wet, made an impression, worked hard and built success, you will be on your way to that manager role. Be the person who everyone goes to for questions, be the person who is always up-front and who says “I got it” before the executives even open their mouths, be the person who goes above and beyond for your company because you have integrity and respect for yourself and everyone that represents it.

Be the go-to, be the leader, be the manager.