Management knowledge needed to help win a senior-job interview

Jun 14, 2023

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When you are ready to take your career to the next level, do you know the skills and qualifications that will make you stand out from the rest? Attaining a high-level job takes hard work and often additional education.

There are specific skills you need to have, but in many cases, you can distinguish yourself from other applicants with a post-graduate degree that demonstrates your commitment to expanding your learning and staying on the cutting-edge of information.

There is a dramatic difference between being an employee and being a manager of managers. Not only do you have to oversee the people who direct other people, but you also have to challenge your managers with fresh approaches and essential team-building strategies.

To be the most effective senior manager, you will need to go into an interview with certain skills.

What a senior manager does

Senior managers are responsible for guiding the company according to the stated core values. You are a strategic planner who oversees the company and acts as the face of the brand. Ultimately, the success or failure of the company rests on your shoulders. So, what does a senior manager do?

Communicate

Communication is key in every aspect of life but especially as a senior manager. One part of effective communication is being a good listener. This involves asking great questions that give employees the opportunity and space to open up and give important feedback, both digitally and face-to-face. Communication helps you identify problems, devise solutions and seize opportunities.

Develop leaders

Within a company, you will find many smart people who exhibit good skills and offer value. However, your job as a senior manager is to identify those who are a cut above the rest and help them develop into effective leaders.

Many companies struggle when they have leaders in place who are not well-suited to this role or do not possess the skills needed to succeed. You must decide whether they need further training and coaching or if they need to be replaced.

Beneath the developing leader’s umbrella is the ability to know whether to hire for a position from outside the company or to promote someone from within. There are distinct benefits to having a seasoned workforce, but fresh thoughts and input are valuable as well.

Support new leaders

New company leaders need support, training, mentors and more to be successful. Encourage them to ask questions, learn from mistakes, engage with their team and develop other skills that can lead them toward maturing in the role.

Part of your role in supporting new leaders is to know when to step in and when to let them work through a problem on their own. This requires a fine balance of management and independence.

Gain the buy-in

Remember that just because someone works at a company does not mean they automatically buy into the philosophy, culture and company mindset. Sharing the whys of what the company does can help your managers support you and the company when changes must be made.

Invite feedback

Exceptional senior managers invite feedback from those they manage. Remember that you manage people, and people have ideas, preferences and input that can help you be better as a company and as a manager.

Inviting feedback helps you develop and deepen relationships with employees, which is crucial to growth. While it can be difficult not to be defensive when you get feedback, remember that this information helps you know your team better, which can lead to a stronger company.

Create a great culture

One of the best ways to build a strong company culture is to live what you ask your people to do each day. Live out your values of taking responsibility for issues and seeking solutions, demonstrate your beliefs with actions that line up with these beliefs and foster a culture where people are free to share ideas and work through problems.

Skills needed for senior managers

There are some crucial skills for senior managers that should be part of your repertoire. You will need experience that demonstrates these skills, of course, but in addition, pursuing a doctorate of education in leadership from an institution such as Spalding University in Kentucky will give you an advantage that will be worth the investment.

A doctorate in leadership

The online terminal degree offered by Spalding University will give you the tools needed to address modern-day issues with the cultural awareness that is required in today’s workforce. Dealing with a global economy and employees who must often navigate thorny issues will require expertise rooted in modern thinking and systemic approaches.

A significant part of the focus of this program is on how people, groups, communities and companies are interrelated. The digital age has changed the way business happens, and this doctorate will help you manage people and systems in a modern framework.

Leadership experience

Clearly, leadership experience is necessary for a senior management position. It's important to demonstrate a track record of managing people and situations successfully. You should be someone that people want to follow because your vision is a worthy goal.

You can gain leadership experience in your current role by volunteering to lead groups, helping with projects and collaborating with other teams to accomplish stated goals.

Technological expertise

Technology is part of every aspect of life but particularly in business settings. Certain technologies play a role in most business transactions and applications, so you will need to be well-versed in these technology subsections that help your company stay ahead of the curve.

Artificial intelligence is currently the fastest-growing technology. AI is projected to be the most influential application in every business in the next five years. While it is still relatively new, artificial intelligence is essential to the pivots and quick changes many companies need to remain competitive.

Cybersecurity is another area where senior managers must ensure data and digital access to finances are protected. Cyberattacks are on the rise, and a company stands to lose more than just money from an attack. Businesses need broad protections around IT environments, differential protection for the most important assets and other measures to mitigate the possibility of a successful cyberattack.

Data analytics is crucial to understanding all the aggregate data coming at your business. Your company can optimize its performance when it gleans metrics for measuring target values such as sales cycles. A robust data analytics strategy will allow your company to uncover patterns, projections and other information that gives you the upper hand, allowing you to incorporate these advantages into daily business strategies.

Sound business acumen

Senior-level managers must possess business acumen that allows them to make comprehensive, difficult decisions with confidence. Every choice affects the company’s direction and bottom line, so you must demonstrate sound business judgments and successful strategies.

An integral part of business acumen is managing your teams. Companies are made up of people who have ideas, problems and goals. You should be there to support your team members as they strive to accomplish their unique roles. You want to motivate them and move them toward productivity that benefits both them and the company.

Risk factors and change

The senior management level calls for strategic thinking to manage risks and implement change when needed. Often, this change must be quick to seize opportunities that deliver better results.

Effective communication is a large part of efficient change. When you communicate with your teams, do they understand and respond? This skill goes back to being a great listener and picking up on nonverbal cues.

Another part of effective change is the trustworthiness you demonstrate to those you manage. Do you do what you say? When employees respect you and know your integrity, changes are much easier, and risks can be mitigated faster.

Senior management interview strategies

As you prepare to interview for a senior management-level job, you should be ready with answers to the most common questions. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that senior-level managerial positions should grow over 6% in the next five years, so the opportunities are there for those who aspire to advance in a business career.

Demonstrating a preparedness to answer interview questions can go a long way in setting yourself up for success. These interview strategies are key.

Be specific

Interviewers are looking for specifics when meeting with you. Instead of saying you have experience managing people, say that you oversaw four teams of 10 people each. Offer specific dollar revenue sales for a certain period. The more specific you are, the better they can see your expertise and how it applies to their company.

Be personable

As much as they need someone to fill a position, the interviewers also want someone who will fit with the team and company culture. You should be personable and express an interest in them as people, too. Treat the interview as a conversation and work to build some commonality with the interviewers.

Be prepared

Come prepared because you did your homework. Research the company and senior managers and show them you have a deep understanding of the people and business. Ask personalized questions about how they came to work there and know their general work path.

Another excellent strategy is to ask the interviewers questions that open discussions. Queries such as "How can I make a difference here?" and "Where do you see me having the most impact in this role?" and other questions of this nature can open a dialogue that allows you to build rapport with the interviewers.

Share ideas

Share ideas you have about how you can help the company achieve its goals. Discuss how you can contribute to their future goals and how your skills fit with the company trajectory, and communicate the vision you have for the role.

Communicate your management style

Are you someone who can lead as well as collaborate with others? You might communicate how you would bring a fresh approach to a current problem the company has or a particular strategy to grow a division.

Explain how you might handle coming into a division as a senior manager. Prepare specifics of what you would do in the first 90 days, first six months and first year. Have some initiatives prepared that demonstrate your understanding of the company and its mission.

Careers for senior-level management

Advancing your objectives for a senior-level management career can take a variety of paths, but demonstrating leadership in multiple scenarios can be beneficial no matter the business setting. Earning a doctorate in leadership can be the key that opens career doors in many fields.

Business leadership

From becoming a chief educational officer to a chief executive officer, you can step into roles such as human resources, thought leadership, employee training and development, consulting and other management-level leadership positions.

Private businesses are ripe with opportunities for senior-level managers. While this setting can be more personalized than a public company, many smaller business owners are eager for new thoughts and approaches that effect change. Here you might supervise employees directly or oversee teams to monitor company progress.

The challenges and responsibilities that come with this role allow you to provide clarity and priorities around the most important goals as your guide and work with those you manage.

Non-profit leadership 

Many non-profit organizations are an ideal fit for senior-level leadership such as fundraising, arts development, cultural organizations and think tanks. This can be a critical area to affect positive change for groups and communities.

Public leadership 

You might want to utilize your education and expertise in a governmental role where you lobby for change or work in public health and public policy. Governmental compliance is an area that offers many opportunities to use your skillset. You can also enjoy a military career or helping veterans get the help they need.

Senior-level managers are part of educational institutions, medical fields, diverse businesses, arts and entertainment, and more. A global awareness of cultural differences can prepare you to work in a variety of industries that employ people from many countries. You can use innovative approaches and systems to effect change at every level of an organization.

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