Here are ten tips to help you get a great training management job:
1. If you are interested in obtaining a job as a training manager, it can be helpful to read the selection criteria of a number of different training manager jobs. This can be beneficial even if you're already employed in this capacity, as your current role may not have given you some necessary experience required by other organizations. Make a note of the required skills and qualifications that you do have, and make sure that you highlight these in your resume, but also make a note of any skills and qualifications that are commonly being asked for that you do not currently possess. Create a plan to make up for these deficits within a definite time frame so that you'll be able to apply for the type of training jobs you desire.
2. When you are ready to begin applying for the training management positions you are interested in, adjust your resume for each application and address all the selection criteria in your letters of application. Well-written letters of application and resumes are essential to getting an interview. For jobs with training and management components, it is important to emphasize all aspects of your experience, skills, and education in your applications.
3. The first place most people look when they're looking for training manager jobs is the employment section of a large circulation newspaper catering to their geographical area. Local employers usually place advertisements where the majority of interested people will look, so take the time to browse the newspapers at least once a week; there is usually one day in the week which carries the most employment ads. However, not all training management roles will have the title ''training manager,'' so be on the look out for suitable jobs which may have different job titles.
4. Online job sites are also an excellent resource for finding available training jobs. You can browse the training, education, and human resources categories, or do an advanced search for ''training'' or ''training manager'' and see what jobs come up. You can also request that the job site send information on new jobs that meet your criteria directly to your email address. This can save you a lot of time going online to search for new jobs every day.
5. Employment agencies can be an excellent source of training jobs, particularly those that specialize in human resources employment. You can check out recruitment companies via their websites or contact them initially by phone to request an appointment. It's not a good idea to simply send your resume unsolicited because employment consultants are usually inundated with resumes for advertised positions, and unrelated paperwork is likely to just end up in a file somewhere.
6. Contract work is an excellent avenue to jobs with training and management specifications. Recruitment companies specializing in human resources jobs often fill short-term contract positions. Short-term onsite training positions and contract human resources management roles can provide condensed experience and introduce you to potential opportunities for full-time employment. Sometimes a full-time role can evolve out of short-term employment when the contractor and the employer find that they are an excellent fit.
7. It's also important to be aware that a lot of jobs are never advertised. To be in a position to hear about these sorts of jobs, you need to actively network and build relationships with colleagues, clients, and even your counterparts in other organizations. Join local business organizations, become a member of relevant professional associations, and attend their functions so that you can meet people and discuss professional issues. Do what you can to actively get yourself out there, and you will be surprised how much easier your career will become.
8. Develop ''expert'' status in your field by conducting seminars, writing articles for professional journals and magazines, and writing and conducting training courses. Even if there is no money in it, getting your name circulating as someone who has something worthwhile to say with regards to training and training management can enhance your career opportunities as well as your income-earning capacity.
9. Create a portfolio of your achievements. A resume isn't big enough to provide adequate documentary evidence that you can do what you say you can do. It is important to build a portfolio of your major achievements so that you can demonstrate your abilities in an interview situation.
10. Finally, don't forget to close the deal. No matter how well you have done everything else in order to obtain the ideal position, you still have to sell yourself to a prospective employer. Generally speaking, an employer will expect a training manager to have an outgoing and friendly personality and to be able to confidently express him- or herself. Make sure you dress appropriately for the organization and behave confidently, professionally, and warmly during the interview. You will also be expected to have done some background research into the organization you are applying to, and you will need to be able to explain how you can meet the needs of the organization and how your personal values are in harmony with theirs.
The key to job-search success is having a plan and being persistent and focused in your efforts. If you're determined and follow the tips in this article, it won't be long before you receive an offer of employment you can raise a glass over.
