Last updated on Mar 26, 2024

You’re a mid-career IT professional. What’s the best way to transition to management?

You’ve been working in the IT field for several years, and you’re ready for a new challenge. You want to take on more responsibility, lead a team, and have a bigger impact on your organization. But how do you make the leap from being a technical expert to a successful manager? Here are some tips to help you prepare for and pursue a management role in IT.

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1 Assess your skills

Before you apply for a management position, you need to evaluate your own strengths and weaknesses as a potential leader. What are the skills and qualities that make a good manager in IT? How do you rate yourself on them? Do you have any gaps or areas for improvement? You can use tools like self-assessments, feedback surveys, or 360-degree reviews to get a realistic picture of your current level and areas of development.

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Nicholas Millar

Service Delivery Manager
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As a Customer Service Manager, I've demonstrated leadership by leading a team through a transition and identifying improvement opportunities. As a Problem Manager, I've coordinated processes, conducted analysis, and produced reports. As a Senior IT Support Engineer, I've resolved issues and made recommendations. Reflecting on these experiences, I recognise my strengths in problem-solving, communication, and team coordination. To transition, I'll focus on developing my leadership, communication, and strategic thinking skills. Seeking growth opportunities and professional development will position me for a successful management role in IT.

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2 Learn from others

One of the best ways to learn how to be a manager is to observe and interact with other managers, especially those who are successful in IT. You can seek out mentors, coaches, or role models who can offer you advice, guidance, or feedback. You can also network with other IT professionals who have made the transition to management and learn from their experiences and challenges. You can ask them questions like: How did they prepare for their first management role? What are the most important skills and competencies for IT managers? How do they balance technical and managerial tasks?

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Nicholas Millar

Service Delivery Manager
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To transition to a management role, I can learn from others and seek guidance. I can connect with experienced managers through networking or mentorship programs to gain insights and advice. By observing their practices, I can learn effective leadership techniques and strategies. Additionally, I can attend industry events, conferences, or join professional associations to expand my knowledge and learn from industry leaders. Learning from others' experiences will help me develop the necessary skills and perspectives to excel in a management role within the IT field.

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3 Develop your soft skills

As a manager, you will need to rely more on your soft skills than your hard skills. Soft skills are the interpersonal, communication, and emotional skills that enable you to work effectively with others, motivate and inspire your team, and manage conflict and change. Some of the key soft skills for IT managers are: active listening, empathy, delegation, feedback, problem-solving, decision-making, and adaptability. You can improve your soft skills by taking courses, reading books, watching videos, or practicing in real-life situations.

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Mark Wallace

Retired - Ex. Texas Tech , Faculty & Chair, Department of Natural Resources Management
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You will have to pay much more attention to your surroundings and co-workers (behavior & comments) than when you were just concentrating on your own work.

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4 Update your resume

When you’re ready to apply for a management role, you need to update your resume to highlight your relevant skills and achievements. You need to show that you have not only technical expertise, but also leadership potential and experience. You can do this by emphasizing your accomplishments that demonstrate your ability to: lead or collaborate on projects, manage or mentor others, solve problems or implement solutions, communicate effectively with different stakeholders, and deliver results or create value.

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5 Ace your interview

The final step to transition to management is to ace your interview. You need to prepare well and showcase your skills and personality. You need to research the company, the role, and the expectations. You need to practice your answers to common and behavioral questions, and prepare some questions of your own. You need to dress professionally, arrive on time, and be confident and courteous. You need to demonstrate your enthusiasm, passion, and vision for the role and the organization.

Transitioning to management is a rewarding but challenging career move for IT professionals. By following these tips, you can increase your chances of landing your dream job and becoming a successful IT manager.

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6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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You’re a mid-career IT professional. What’s the best way to transition to management?

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1 Assess your skills

2 Learn from others

3 Develop your soft skills

4 Update your resume

5 Ace your interview

6 Here’s what else to consider

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