You enjoy your IT or technology career. But, you are ready to take the next step forward and become a manager. To accomplish your goal, your employer needs to see more than your hard skills. At this point, it must be able to assess your soft skills as well.
What Are Soft Skills (and Why Are They Important)?
Soft skills are non-technical and relate to how you work. They can include:
- Communication
- Critical thinking
- Conflict resolution
- Dependability
- Time management
Many employers seek out IT and tech job candidates who display a strong combination of hard and soft skills. These candidates typically have training and expertise to perform a wide range of IT and tech tasks. Furthermore, they can usually work well independently and as part of a team.
If you have the right combination of hard and soft skills, you can thrive in virtually any IT or tech role. Thus, if you want to become an IT or tech manager, you need to showcase both types of skills. That way, you can make it easy for your employer to see why you deserve a management role.
How to Use Your Soft Skills to Showcase Your Management Potential
Here are three things you can do to use your soft skills to illustrate your IT or technology management potential.
1. Listen to Your Peers and Superiors
Become an active listener in all conversations with your peers and superiors. An active listener hears what someone is saying and identifies any associated non-verbal cues associated with this individual’s words. As an active listener, you can give your undivided attention to others during conversations. This helps you avoid miscommunications. It also ensures you can show others you care about what they have to say and want to assist them in any way possible.
2. Identify Your Target Audience
Consider who you help on a day-to-day basis. Any time you engage with members of your target audience, support them however you can. For instance, if you are responsible for resolving IT issues for employees across different departments, meet with these workers any time problems arise. You can then work with these employees to identify the root cause of such issues. And you can verify that the issues have been fully resolved and that the employees who reported them are happy with your work.
3. Remain Calm, Cool, and Collected Under Pressure
Expect work challenges, but maintain a consistent approach to them. If you can stay calm, cool, and collected under pressure, you can thrive in the face of adversity. As a result, you can show others you can manage problems with poise and composure. Plus, you can put yourself in an excellent position to land a management role.
Pursue IT and Tech Manager Jobs Today
DVA Technology can help you explore IT and tech manager job opportunities. Our recruiters can learn about your career aspirations and put you in touch with companies in search of top IT and tech managers. For more information, contact us today.
