For those who love the field they’re in but want to get out of the entry level rat race, continuing education and focused training is the key. While experience should be king, and it certainly matters, your job search can only be successful if you invest in your education in such a way that you have proof on paper of your commitment.
This isn’t just true when you’re trying to break the barrier between administrative assistant and office manager. If you’re committed to the idea of a managerial career, you need to understand that continuing education is going to play a role in your success all along the way. Today’s companies and corporations expect employees to continue to invest in their own training and education; while a company may offer tuition reimbursement or access to training programs, you will at the very least need to invest your own time and motivation. This sort of self driven ambition is what sets the employees who earn promotions apart from their apathetic colleagues. It simply isn’t enough to be good at your job. You need to be good at your job and also good at learning–and prove it, with certifications, credits, and degrees.
Part of this is due to the pace of technology and part is due to the state of the job market. Companies are cutting the fat and employee rosters are getting leaner and leaner. There’s no room in most businesses for those who can’t keep up with the times. And that means continued higher education, especially at the management level. If you want to wow at interviews, you absolutely must show a drive for polishing not just your resume and your skills but your transcripts.