I've spent 8 years as a sysadmin, becoming quite the jack-of-all-trades. However, there's currently no leadership position in my company, and I'm keen to move into a role with more responsibilities. In my previous experience, I've successfully led projects, collaborated with executives, and even presented at meetings, but I haven't managed budgets. I recently found a job opening that suited my skills perfectly, but on paper, I wasn't considered a fit. I'm curious about how to position myself for growth outside of technical roles. Should I consider heading to a smaller company where the IT Director could be a one-person team just to get some title on my resume?
5 Answers
Transitioning to a management role means you'll need to sell yourself as a leader in your resume. Highlight your project management skills and any experiences where you contributed significantly to your previous roles. It’s all about how you frame your experience.
Some larger companies have technical lead roles that aren’t all about management but still allow you to grow as a leader. Have you been mentoring people? That's a great way to showcase leadership potential. If you haven’t, you might want to start doing so, even informally.
I made the jump from SysAdmin to Service Desk Lead, which was easier since it allowed me to show my leadership potential without the full burden of management. It was a natural progression and much more about shaping the service and proving my leadership abilities.
That sounds like a smart move! Easing into management roles can definitely help build confidence.
Have you thought about project management? That’s a space where your skills would shine without diving directly into people management right away.
From my experience as a middle manager, I'd say managing people can be quite a headache. If you're not ready for the emotional rollercoaster that comes with it, you might want to think twice. But if you're passionate about helping others succeed and enjoy mentoring them, it can really make a difference in job satisfaction.
For sure! A good manager can really elevate a team. I hope to be that positive influence myself someday.
True that! I've faced similar challenges and it can be super frustrating to deal with difficult personalities.
Absolutely! Focus on the results and impact rather than just the duties. It's all about the narrative.