You have an idea of what you want to be. You can envision yourself as a Regional Manager or Vice President of Sales, or maybe even a future CEO. It takes a lot of work to get there, and the path is different for everyone. If you don’t know where to start, here are a few tips:
Career Map
Planning is the obvious first step. Before you try to land a job as a general manager, executive, or CEO, you need to have a plan. You have to know not only where you want to be at the end of the journey, but the best way to get there. You have to create a map of-sorts which takes you on the most logical path. For example, you might start as a lower-level salesperson in a company if you wanted to reach the district manager position. Lead salesperson, assistant manager, and store manager would likely be positions that you’ll have to obtain before you reached your final destination. Don’t go after positions that don’t point to where you’re going. Plan your movements so that you can cut down the time it will take you to get to your destination as a leader. And remember to never move laterally – only vertically.
Education
A leadership course might help you stand out from other employees, but a college degree will help more than anything. There are many alternatives to college, and many of them rival the education taught at a four-year institution, but it’s easier for a company to trust a hard-earned degree than it is a certificate. If you still feel that college isn’t in your plan, then you might consider starting your own company. Being CEO from day one isn’t such a bad idea, right?
Contract Work
Personal experience is one of the best processes to learn how to handle a leadership role. You may want to do some contract work or small business tasks to get a feel for the duties of a business owner, including managing other individuals. The tasks that you do as a contractor can add some skills to your resume that may astonish your prospective employers.
Professional Resume
You might consider contracting a resume writing service, as it may benefit you immensely to invest in having some professionals work on your resume. Your resume is one of the only tools that you will have to get your foot in the door at a company. Most people only give one chance to make a good impression. Many resume companies are out there, and they know what businesses desire from their future hires. They’ll know the keywords that jump out to potential employers and how to display the most desirable skills. They’ll be able to proofread and render a flawless resume that’s concise and intriguing.
Recruiting Service
Finally, you may want to sign up with a recruiting service. Supply chain recruiters will connect you with businesses that are seeking executives with skills in managing supply chains. If you would rather be a CFO, then you might consider working with a recruiting service that specializes in finances. Either way, a recruiting service will be in touch with a network of businesses that are seeking leaders. Using a recruiting service increases your chance of landing an interview and a hire. Additionally, it cuts down the amount of valuable time that it will take for you to get a job.
These are just a few steps to follow, but each path is different. Your potential for success will be high as long as you are willing to grind out long days at work and complete every task thrown your way. The things you learn along the way will aid your success and make the journey one worth traveling. Best of luck!