@work Q & A
I’ve been searching for a management position since last year and have received a request for only one interview. I used to manage a team of 15, but since I’ve been out for a while, I’m not sure if I’m in touch with what makes a good manager for today’s workforce. What’s your advice for handling this in the interview process?
The one constant in the workplace is the human element. Despite all the technological advances, people still are just people. What motivates and engages people hasn’t changed either, despite what the media would have you believe about millennials or Gen Z. People want to be respected and given the opportunity to do meaningful work; to be recognized and rewarded for the work they do and to feel they are part of something bigger — some vision or mission. Those qualities are timeless, so articulating your understanding of that will demonstrate that you are a manager for all seasons.
I preferred to be a big fish in a small pond, working for smaller companies rather than getting lost in a huge corporation, but I feel that some larger companies are now shying away from considering me because of my work history with small companies. Is that possible? If so, what can I do to change that perception?
This sounds like the problem the Yankees have in acquiring talent for the spotlight of New York and wearing those pinstripes. Some players are made for this stage, and some wilt, and they know who they are (no public shaming is necessary.) Knowing yourself will enable you to perform at your best. If you have only worked for small companies, that will be a factor that large organizations will consider. It doesn’t mean it is a disqualification, but it raises questions about whether someone can make the transition and excel in a different environment. If you want to try to make the change, then I suggest that you address it head-on. Discuss why you want to make the change — that your skills and abilities apply in any environment — and why you now want to work for that larger company, and the advantages that come with working at a big company.