Managerial Job Description
Being a manager has its benefits. Managers are the business equivalent of team captains. They get to the call the shots and supervise the players. Still, there are quite a few drawbacks too. The job can demanding and stressful. Plus finding work won't always be easy. Competition for manager positions is intense and job growth rates are pretty flat.
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Duties
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The basic function of a manager is to supervise and coordinate the work of his subordinates. Managers are also responsible for developing plans to meet company goals. However, it should be noted there are many different types of managerial jobs. Specific job duties vary by industry and specialty.
Business manager specialties include marketing, sales, advertising, promotion and public relations. These executives are responsible for the business activities associated with their department. Industrial production managers coordinate the activities necessary to produce goods. Real estate managers oversee the properties in their charge.
Job Requirements
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Recruiters look for candidates with a lot of experience in the field, a relevant college degree or both. Computer skills are also required to keep records, conduct data management and perform other job functions. Special legal requirements are in place for some managerial professions. For example, some states require property managers to be licensed. Also, most industries have at least one professional association or organization that offers certification. The value and desirability of this certification can vary.
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Working Conditions
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Managerial positions tend to be more stressful than subordinate positions. Overtime beyond the traditional 40-hour work week is often required to deal with deadlines and supervise personnel. Managers are often the first employees at work when the day begins and the last to leave.
Managers spend a large portion of their workday in comfortable office settings, but time is also spent in the field. Business managers travel to meet with customers and other staff members. Construction managers frequently visit sites, and production managers often go to the floor where goods are being made.
Earnings
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Wages vary by industry and specialty. Here is a list of the median annual wages for several popular managerial positions in 2008. Figures are provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Marketing Managers--$108,580
Sales Managers--$97,260
Public Relations Managers--$89,430
Advertising and Promotion Managers--$80,220
Industrial Production Managers--$83,290
Construction Managers--$79,860
Property and Community Association Managers--$46,130
Job Outlook
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Exact job growth rates vary by industry. Generally speaking, manager jobs in most industries are just keeping pace with the national average, with the exception of industrial managers. According to the BLS, employment of industrial managers is expected to decline moderately through 2018. Competition for most managerial positions will be strong. Candidates that have completed some kind of college degree will fare best in the market.
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References
- Photo Credit businessman. Isolation on white. image by mashe from Fotolia.com
