How to find a leadership position. How to get a leadership position? Rules for a good chef

Move on career ladder can be very difficult. It is especially difficult business women: with the fact that a woman works on an equal footing with a man, society has already come to terms, but a woman boss - this still does not fit in the minds of some. Do you love your job, but feel that you have become cramped within its framework? If you really want to be promoted and are willing to accept the responsibility that comes with being a leader, there are only a few steps you need to take...

I'll go to the bosses, let them teach me

How to get a promotion at work and move from an ordinary position to a managerial one?

Many professionals once think about a promotion. Only for some this intention disappears quickly, while others are sure that they have the necessary experience, skills and passionately want to join the ranks of the bosses. But what if the employee is not familiar with managerial functions and has always performed the duties of an executor? Labor market experts told how to change a linear position to a managerial one.

There are two main scenarios for such a transition: a promotion within your company or a transition to a managerial position in another. What problems may arise for future tops? And how to realize the desire to become a leader?

an old friend is better than two new ones

According to Maria Silina, account manager at Contact Agency, growth within one company is considered a classic career development option and has a number of advantages: “Firstly, a potential manager has the opportunity and time to prove himself from a professional point of view vision, while still in the ranks. Secondly, during this period he can establish contacts with employees of the company, which can affect his position.

Indeed, it is easier to convincingly demonstrate your leadership qualities to the authorities with whom you have been working for several years than to assure the representatives of the new company of the same. But how exactly to grow in your own organization?

“To get promoted at work, you need to demonstrate good results in work, qualitatively and on time to fulfill their duties. It must be remembered that strategic thinking is inherent in leaders. Such people are able to anticipate changes in the industry in which they work, prioritize their work and the work of the team, focus on the main goals, bring creative ideas to make correct and timely decisions. This is not the whole set of qualities that people need to take a leadership position. When working in a team, it is also important to be able to see the situation through the eyes of your boss and abstract from the situational perception of the problem. Your manager and colleagues should be aware of your professional and career preferences,” says Alexei Iodko, Head of Human Resources at Raiffeisenbank.

“First of all, you need to be an active and proactive employee who does not avoid additional workload and participation in the life of the team, whether it is teamwork or brainstorming on how to improve the work of the department. With the conviction "it's not in my official duties» it is difficult to grow professionally in the company and get a large area of ​​responsibility. If you are enterprising, active, ready to take responsibility and reinforce ideas and proposals with results, the chances of career growth increase significantly,” adds Nadezhda Smirnova, Leading Specialist at the Penny Lane Personnel recruiting agency.

What should be feared?

Imagine that the long-awaited promotion has taken place, yesterday's performer becomes the leader. There are no problems with the performance of duties, everything is working out, the prospects are encouraging. However, there is one "but" - the team. Labor market experts say that relationships with former colleagues (current employees) can significantly poison the joy of promotion.

“The main stumbling block is building relationships with former colleagues. If in professional competencies And personal qualities the new leader has already proven himself earlier, then he will need to demonstrate his talent as a manager more than once to his colleagues. And only after that he can establish himself as a leader in a familiar team, ”comments Nadezhda Smirnova.

“Many young managers who have grown up inside their own company, at the stage of forming their managerial experience, have to face the solution of a natural paradox: on the one hand, with a formal change own role, and on the other hand, with the perception of him by the team in a new status. However, this situation can be easily avoided if, firstly, the assigned officer has achieved a transition to new position exclusively by his work, and secondly, if he has a certain authority and weight in the team, not just as a “great friend”, but as a professional in his field,” says Boris Anikeev, head of the recruitment department at Svyaznoy Group of Companies.

Changing places

The process of moving from a line position to a managerial position new company is definitely harder to enhance within one's own. The reasons for leaving the old place can be different.

“Firstly, there may not be a vacant managerial position in the company, and secondly, other, more suitable candidates may apply for this position,” says Maria Silina.

It is possible that the highest echelon of the company's authorities simply do not believe in the leadership abilities of an ambitious employee. In any case, even if the specialist leaves the ordinary position large organization, it is unlikely that he will be able to get a job as a boss in a company of the same scale. It would be wiser to choose a smaller institution.

Nadezhda Smirnova confirms that such a transition is possible from a "leading" position in big company for a managerial position in a relatively small firm.
“But 'shrinking' company size still doesn't guarantee a promotion. It is important that the new/potential employer sees and believes that you are not only a good specialist but also successfully cope with the management of people. Therefore, at the interview, remember and name a few situations where you demonstrated leadership and organizational qualities, ”the expert recommends.

“If a candidate does not have managerial experience, it would be reasonable if he does not immediately apply for a very high salary and wide managerial functions. As a rule, such applicants are offered to work for minimum conditions during probationary period and, if the results are satisfactory to both parties, renegotiate the terms. Another important point: in a new resume, it is important for the applicant to indicate all the cases when he had to perform managerial functions or managed to show leadership potential (making decisions on the current project, organizing the workflow, building teamwork, etc.),” adds Boris Anikeev.

What should be feared?

Oddly enough, but you should not worry about relationships with new subordinates. Because they already perceive the incoming leader as a boss, and not as a former colleague.

“Sometimes it is more useful for a team to have a fresh look from a new leader “from the outside”. This will allow us to take a bolder step and make radically new decisions on this or that issue,” Alexey Iodko believes.

It is worth being afraid of an unfamiliar environment in principle - the process of adaptation in a new company always requires the expenditure of effort and energy. In addition, you will have to rely only on your own strengths (if the old company had the opportunity to turn to the former management for help or advice, then in the new one, most likely, there will be no one to count on).

Boris Anikeev also sees difficulty in the lack of experience in managing people: “It can be partly compensated for by business acumen, readiness for an irregular schedule and constant improvement.”

Labor market experts shared tips on what to remember for a person who has never led, but is determined to take the manager's chair.

“It is extremely important to tell employees about strategic plans: everyone should understand and share the common goals and objectives of the team. Try to find a mentor and enlist his support, go through additional training. For example, trainings on the development of managerial skills will allow you to make a more confident start,” the expert adds.

“Be confident in your actions! Any doubts will instantly be transferred to the team and shake your reputation. And do not be afraid to rely on your assistants, having previously understood who you really can / should rely on. Delegation of authority is the key to the success of any leader. But absolutely for sure, regardless of whether you are planning a career within the company or when moving to others, you must definitely know the main functions, tasks of a leader, think systematically, be consistent, be active, proactive in order to show and prove yourself, - advises Nadezhda Smirnova.

But the most important thing, according to Alexei Iodko, is to make sure that the desire to become a leader is genuine. To manage because it is “fashionable” or “all my friends have become managers a long time ago, so it’s time for me” are not the best arguments for achieving success. Remember - a person does best what he loves and what he really has a soul for!

So, you have been working in the company for far from the first year, you know all the inner workings and even more: you have been in the labor trenches of production, you have been engaged in marketing, you are only familiar with the features of the product firsthand ... What are your chances to take a top position in the organization if the opportunity arises? Real cases shared by users executive.ru, confirm that in this category of vacancies, HR pays close attention primarily to candidate experience. But how do you get the coveted chance to show your managerial skills if you are already expected to have such a chance? The site has collected expert advice, add it in the comments!

What requirements should be taken into account

A director is not only a higher salary, a comfortable chair and several subordinate managers. This is a different level of responsibility, the ability and desire to make decisions, more complex tasks and a willingness to go beyond the usual limits. Many experts pay attention to the special character traits inherent in professionals in this position. It cannot be said that there is a certain “genotype”, a model of behavior of a top manager, but there are certain requirements for a candidate who feels ready to become a manager. This is the ability to find mutual language with staff, listen and hear people, manage your time, resolve complex non-standard situations, to be personally involved in all processes of the organization, interested, striving for self-development. It is important to have an impeccable reputation, since the director is actually the first person of the company.

Of course, HR will look for confirmation of experience in a resume or in a personal conversation. Not necessarily at the same level. Your readiness and ability to manage can be confirmed by achievements in previous jobs, educational certificates and diplomas (MBA, CFA, RICS and others). This is actually an indulgence for the leader at the initial stage, when he is just entering the top path. Points in your favor will be added by a brilliant basic education, a confirmed desire to develop and constantly acquire new knowledge. The advantage may also be the market leading position of the companies in which you worked. Such experience is valuable, especially if you are not changing the industry, but want to move to another organization.

Is there a typical path for a top manager?

According to experts, there is no specific "route sheet" for the top. It is clear that those specialists who really tried themselves in several areas, participated in the main business processes of the company, have more chances. It is necessary to know the product of the organization, customers and potential audience well, to see the ways of development of the enterprise. It doesn't matter which department you move to. The main thing is to show great perseverance and determination in achieving your goals.

Topic comments Felix Kugel, Vice President and Managing Director for Russia and the CIS ManpowerGroup: “On average, the path from an ordinary specialist to a top manager is six to nine years. The time directly depends on the number of steps (positions) that a specialist needs to go through. For example, in a startup, a career can be made faster than in a large company, but the level of a top manager will also be different. In addition, in young companies there is no guarantee that a specialist will be noticed and helped to move up the career ladder. In large organizations, there is a clear system of personnel development, and if an ordinary specialist shows the appropriate results, he is given design work, where there is an opportunity to gain managerial skills, which means that he has every chance to grow to a top manager.”

About how a manager's career can develop, tells Sergei Chemerikin MRICS, Director of Company Valuation Cushman & Wakefield: “Some become a top manager, having the “necessary” connections. Remember, for example, the times of the USSR, when someone occupied a high managerial position and appointed relatives and / or friends to positions a little lower. That is, those who could be trusted. And it was not so important whether he understood what he was managing or not. The main thing is his belonging to the caste of "his". And this approach is still observed in some organizations. Others became top managers solely because of fortunate circumstances, being at the right time in the right place. Still others - thanks to their abilities and experience. For example, a person worked in an average managerial position in a large company, he is happy to be taken to a higher one in a smaller company. It is assumed that such a candidate has received good managerial experience, since the organization is large, and these skills will help him in a new job. The fourth showed their abilities to a higher leader. He is very comfortable working with such an employee. He begins to grow and takes "in tow" of his subordinate. One is growing up the career ladder, and the second keeps up with the next. Fifths become top managers because they know how to perfectly present themselves and charm HR and executives. They say about such people - "it will crawl through any gap without oil." This can be continued ad infinitum. The phrase fits here: how many people, so many opportunities to become a top manager.

Grow a top in yourself in the same company or leave?

It's no secret that when filling vacancies at any level, HR first of all looks at the team. Employees are familiar with the organization from the inside, moreover, their personal qualities are known not in words, but in deeds. Therefore, of course, you can wait for a top-level managerial position to become vacant in the company. There is only one problem in this case - sometimes you have to endure too long until the moment when the circumstances are right. The candidate is more likely to find a desired position with another employer. Features of the search for a top manager comments Elena Smirnova, managing partner of a research company Profi Online Research:

“Closing a top job can be compared to “finding a needle in a haystack.” The experience of a person from another company may not be 100% identical to the experience you are looking for. Therefore, you need to be sure that the candidate will be able to quickly and successfully adapt their skills to the specifics of your company, its production processes and current needs. Finding the right person within a company can be the ideal option for an employer. However, the internal search for employees for a top position has its drawbacks:

• Difficulties in building “new” working relationships with respect for subordination. For example, yesterday colleagues watched a football match together, and today one of them has already become a subordinate of the other. This problem can be solved, for example, by surrounding the top manager with deputies hired from the outside - forming a layer that will help avoid awkward situations of boss-subordinate interaction in the presence of informal connections.
• If a person has been working in a company since the moment he graduated from the institute, it is unlikely that he has behavior patterns that differ from those that he faces now. The lack of a diverse and diverse experience can become an obstacle in solving the tasks in an optimal way. Such a specialist can be sent for an internship in his office located in another country, in a friendly company, for training. Everything should be done to show him as many different possible situations and appropriate behaviors as possible.

Search from outside also has disadvantages:

• Ignorance of the "inner kitchen" of the company. You can familiarize a person with it by sending him for an internship in various departments of your organization.
• Possible rejection by the team. It is important that the management of the company supports his decision and shows their confidence in him.
• There is not always confidence in his loyalty. It depends on the person himself, it is quite difficult to influence his thoughts and values. Therefore, it is important to pay attention to this at the search stage.”

What to do first?

In building a career at any level, it is important to clearly understand what you are striving for. Specify your goal - why the manager, which specialization suits you best, would you like to stay in the same company, or have you already outgrown it. Based on the clarified plans, you need to act. If you think that the current place of work is suitable for the realization of your managerial ambitions, you need to show and prove to the higher management that you are ready, you can handle it. At the same time, using the categories “I will help the company” (how exactly, in what business process), “my current skills will be useful” (where, to what extent). The same thoughts will need to be conveyed to a potential employer if you decide that it is more interesting for you to develop in another organization. The main message is the desire to expand the circle of responsibility, to gain new experience to cope with the tasks of a different, more global level. It may be necessary to develop managerial skills at a theoretical level - to complete specialized courses, to confirm your desire with an appropriate diploma.

Recommendations Mikhail Rozin, Human Resources Director GK "Ronova": "We need to make a plan personal growth, in which to prescribe the basic knowledge, skills, abilities, lack of experience that require development in a specific period of time, for example, during the year. It is useful to discuss the plan with higher management, ask them to critically analyze each of its elements, ask them to transfer an independent project to management as a test, followed by an analysis of the implementation results. At the same time, a specialist needs to constantly improve, study best practices, act as an initiator and assistant to his manager, learn to manage his time not only at work, but also in everyday life.

Thus, the most important advice comes down to the usual scheme: I see the goal, I go to the goal. The main thing is not to sit still, but to act.

Photo:freeimages. com

The position of director is desirable for many people, but not everyone is able to climb so high up the career ladder or cope with it when the goal is achieved. It is worth noting that the opinion that such a position can only be available to those people who are ready to go over their heads is wrong.

In fact, there are not so many applicants. Some simply do not want to have more work problems and responsibilities, others do not have the necessary leadership qualities, so setting a goal, getting a job as a director (http://hotwork.ru/jobs/moskva/direktor/) can achieve it.

If the dream of becoming a director is your number one goal, you should consider several options and ways to achieve your goals. At the same time, it should be understood that this position is not only a source of power and pain wages, but also the cause of more responsibilities and problems. So, having placed the accents and realizing that a managerial position is just for you, it is worth considering some tips for finding a director's job.

1. As mentioned earlier, not everyone is able to lead a large team and solve workflow problems. To begin with, you should make sure that you need the position of director, otherwise the whole difficult path may turn out to be a waste of time.
2. Do not think that becoming an assistant director you are already guaranteed a successful leadership position, to which there is one step left. The harsh reality is that the vacant position of director is likely to be taken on by an outsider. This is how it is done in many modern companies. A more profitable option would be to change your place of work with a systematic and consistent climb up the career ladder.
3. When changing jobs, you should try to take the place of the head of the department with a small number of subordinates. So you can hone your management skills and gain invaluable experience, with which a leadership position will become more accessible.
4. A person who looks like a leader and behaves accordingly can find a job as a director in Moscow. Look closely at your leadership and adopt their demeanor.
5. Learn to control people, your subordinates. They must listen to you and follow your instructions without question.
6. Demanding high level professionalism from employees, work in full force while remaining the best.
7. Try to be engaged in the main activity of your company and look closely at the features of your still director. Thus, having taken the position of director, you will be familiar with the intricacies of work.

To become a good leader, you need at least three years to work in someone's submission? Not always! Some even after a year of work experience feel the strength to move into the ranks of top managers. How to achieve this?

They say that in order to become a good leader, you need to work for at least three years in someone's submission. However, some even after a year of work experience feel the desire and ability to move into the ranks of top managers. How to achieve this?

It's easier to do this if your company encourages career. The management itself can offer you a promotion based on your performance, when a suitable vacancy appears. However, the tendency to "grow" personnel is not relevant in all companies. If you understand that you will most likely not be given the opportunity to head a department in your "native" company, start looking for a new job.

To begin with, it is wiser to apply for a position with minimal managerial functionality. And don't expect a good salary. There is a kind of barter: you get leadership position, and the company saves on the salary of a professional.

“In the best case, this amount will be called a “starting salary”, and if you live up to expectations, your salary will increase over time,” says Zifa Dimitrieva, managing partner International Institute management. - At worst, they will not increase it (they will "ride" you) or the rate of its growth will be minimal. If they decided to save money from the very beginning, then they can stick to this line later.

But, having gained the necessary experience, you can come to another company for good money.

Put the "right" accents in the resume

The task of finding a job in a company, at least for an initial managerial position, is complicated by the fact that your resume is a resume of a "performer". And it most likely does not reflect the facts that speak in favor of the fact that you are able to lead.

However, according to Elena Bakanova, head of the selection of managers at Finam investment holding, there are no "pure performers" today. "Now any employee has to make decisions related to the development of projects, the organization of certain work processes," she recalls. And he advises to focus on these points in the resume.

Rabota.ru consultant Ekaterina Lukyanova also suggests revising her track record. “Perhaps your organizational experience is small and you perceive it as not worthy of special mention, but this is a mistake,” she says. “It was in these situations that the makings of a future leader, leadership potential, ability to work with a team, and initiative could be revealed.”

When talking about their experience, experts advise using phrases: “on my initiative…”, “I implemented the plan as a project manager…”, “optimized the work of the department, group” –– and similar ones.

According to Elena Bakanova, the employer should also learn about " additional factors that can characterize you as a leader.” Are you the captain of a corporate football team? That's a good message, she says.

By the way, the fact that the transition to a managerial position is a natural stage of career development also works for you. “You can also mention your desire for career and professional growth in your resume,” advises Ekaterina Lukyanova.

Before the interview

Take care of your image. “A person who wants to become a leader must look like a leader and speak like a leader,” reminds Ekaterina Lukyanova. successful leaders in this domain".

“The more you remind the employer of “your friend on the board”, the more likely it is that in the end you will become one,” Zifa Dimitrieva agrees with Lukyanova and advises you to visit the company where you would like to work as a guest before the interview .

Learn all about the company. Ask the secretary for promotional products, price lists, read the information on the stands, experts advise. In addition, "study the company's website, its history, assortment, the specifics of the market in which the company operates, collect information about its competitors."

Think about what you can offer to the company. Do you have an idea of ​​what could be improved and how? Where would you start your work? You need to know how to answer these questions because they will be asked at the interview.

"Be prepared to present to the employer a reasoned plan for the development of the department you are going to manage," says Ekaterina Lukyanova.

The main thing is not to offer to build New Vasyuki, warns Zif Dimitrieva. "In most cases, companies don't want to have problems with innovative leaders. Your job is simply to make it seem like you know the industry better than anyone else."

Be confident but not arrogant in interviews. And not naive. “It is clear that you really want to get a leadership position, despite the fact that you have never managed before,” says Zifa Dimitrieva. that you will not fail."

By the way, the factor of trust in a person in employment for managerial positions plays almost the main role. The higher the position, the higher the level of trust should be, experts remind. Do not try to deceive the employer, hide the facts of the biography or impersonate someone who you really are not.

“If you work actively for 8 hours a day, you will be made the boss, and then you will start working for 12,” says office wisdom. However, many diligent employees have learned from experience that even if you work from morning to night, promotion is not at all guaranteed. How to become a leader? What qualities do you need to demonstrate in order for the authorities to see in you not only a responsible executor, but also a promising manager?

Promotion or dismissal?
Urgent work, deadlines, new projects, struggle for a client - during your work in the company you have gone through fire and water. However, the leadership does not seem to see that you are ripe for a more responsible position. What's the matter? There may be several possible reasons.

First, not all companies form their own personnel reserve. According to the survey research center portal site, almost a quarter of employers (24%) select managers on the open labor market, and do not "grow" them within the company. Another 34% of companies prefer to select applicants whom they can invite if the need arises. Less than half of employers (47%) are ready to "grow" managerial personnel on their own.

Given these statistics, take a closer look at your place of work. Do you know examples of career growth of colleagues within the company? What position did your current manager come to the organization - did he become the boss as a result of several years of successful work or did he take his chair immediately after the interview? The answers to these questions will help you determine your own prospects in your home company.

Second possible reason lack of career growth for a responsible employee - lack of growth for the organization itself. If the company is stable, all management positions are occupied, and there are no new areas of work, then you will have to wait a long time for a promotion - at least until your current manager decides to quit. Whether it makes sense to work in a company with no opportunities for growth is up to you.

It may also happen that an employee aimed at career growth, for some reason, does not correspond to the ideas of the authorities about an effective leader. For example, if all middle and senior managers in the company are over 45 years old, and you are 30, then most likely you will be considered insufficiently experienced. Or if CEO I am convinced that only a man can lead a team of 10 people, while you are a woman. In such cases, it will be difficult or even impossible to take a leadership position.

You can't do without self-promotion
And yet, in many cases, companies are willing to consider internal candidates for leadership positions. How to enter the personnel reserve of the organization? First of all, take care of the excellent performance of your direct duties. This is absolutely necessary, but not enough for career growth. Demonstrate not only professionalism, but also organizational skills, the ability to plan work and negotiate with people, and strategic thinking. If situations in which you can show exactly these qualities, in your daily work does not arise, take the initiative and make sure that there is a reason to show them.

Remember, for a person who aspires to become a leader, the right image is extremely important. Try to make sure that as many colleagues, partners and clients as possible learn about your successful work. Competent self-PR is not an easy science: it is important not to overdo it. So underline your achievements extremely delicately and unobtrusively.

An equally important component of the image - appearance. Hundreds of articles have been written about the business dress code, but short skirts and ripped jeans are still not uncommon in the offices of many companies. Experts advise: if you want to become a leader, dress as if you have already become one. Wear to the office what is most consistent with the ideas of business attire.

In addition, be more often interested in the content of the work of your leader, if possible, help him. A competent and far-sighted boss, most likely, will encourage such interest and, most likely, will leave you to fulfill your duties, leaving on vacation or a business trip. And this is already a serious step towards entering the company's personnel reserve.

Finally, you can talk frankly with the current leader. Choose the right moment and explain that you have sat too long in your current position. At the same time, it is important that the boss understands that you are by no means aiming for his chair, but you want to gain leadership experience. It is quite possible that as a result of negotiations, the boss decides to single out a separate group within your department or department with you at the head, and then you will be able to realize your ambitions.

In the job market
But what if you realized that in your company the chances of becoming a leader are minimal? In this case, in order to achieve what you want, you will have to go to open market labor. Getting a job as a manager, having behind him the experience of working only as an executor, is not an easy task, but doable.

First of all, compose your resume so that it is clear: at least for staffing You were listed as an ordinary employee, but you had to make responsible decisions, negotiate on behalf of the company, and negotiate with other employees on the distribution of roles. Do not deceive recruiters and take credit for work that you did not do. Just think about what of your duties can play into your hands.

Due to the lack of leadership experience, you should hardly expect a high salary. Let your salary expectations indicated in the resume be only slightly higher than the current level of your income. This will help recruiters understand what this stage career growth is more important to you than a high salary. When asked why you left previous place work, you should answer frankly: the company did not provide opportunities for growth, while you were long overdue for a leadership position.

If you get a job leadership work it doesn’t work out right away, it makes sense to consider the work of the contractor in those companies where the “cultivation” of their own management personnel is practiced. You can ask the recruiter about the growth prospects at the interview - such a question will not only demonstrate your ambitions, but also give you the opportunity to get valuable information for making a decision.

Learning to manage people is not an easy task. Working as the head of even a small unit, you will have to practice many sciences - psychology, personnel management etc. However, if successful, your efforts will not be in vain: in the modern labor market, a good manager is an expensive and rare commodity.

Good luck in conquering new career heights!