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Most employers are looking for specific management competences in a candidate for a job in management. A management competency is a characteristic of a person that will make him or her a good manager. These are like leadership, initiative, and follow up abilities. By knowing about these prerequisites in advance, you will be in much better position in finding a management job.

When you are looking for a job, it is important to note what management competences will be required for the type of position you are looking for. For example, if you are looking for a job that requires being in charge of many people, leadership and persons skills will be the most important competences. On the other hand, if the positions you are interested in involve reviewing many documents and other people's work, attention to detail and follow up abilities will be of crucial importance.

After you have found out what management competences are required for the jobs you want, it is important to increase your abilities in those areas. A book on management should help you identify what each competency entails, and let you know what to work on for each skill. Books like modern management (cram101 textbook outlines - textbook not included) are especially helpful because they will give you a broad idea of different abilities required for management skill.

After you know what to learn in order to gain competences in your identified areas, spend some time focusing on each one. Giving yourself daily and weekly goals in your quest for skills will keep you on track. If you're lucky, you've read a book on management before, and already know what skills you possess. Don't neglect these skills either! Identify your strengths; emphasize them in interviews, and work to make them even stronger.

You should be aware of how your management competences will be assessed in interviews. When the companies use assessment instruments or tests, you will know you're being tested. It may be useful to you to know about these tests to udnerstand what to expect from your interview.

It may occur that some interviewers will even observe you behaviorally for clues to your competences. For example, they may observe you looking for your attention to detail or ability to relate to other people. Always make sure to pay attention to details such as spelling and grammar on your resume and cover letter o interview effectively, and be respectful and polite to every person you speak to, from the CEO of the company to the secretary.

You will have better luck at getting management jobs by being aware of what management competences are required for your desired job, increasing those competences, and portraying them in your interview. Books like modern management (cram101 textbook outlines - textbook not included) are very useful in this sense.