Just because you were a senior
manager at one company doesn't mean
that your next job won't be
a midlevel role. Often, appropriate job titles can get confusing during a job search. "There's no standardization as to how the titles are done," says Jim Beqaj, founder of Beqaj International, an exeutive search firm and consultancy.Not sure which job title you should target when looking for a job? Here's a rough guide to deciphering how to categorize your skills and what to keep in mind:
a midlevel role. Often, appropriate job titles can get confusing during a job search. "There's no standardization as to how the titles are done," says Jim Beqaj, founder of Beqaj International, an exeutive search firm and consultancy.Not sure which job title you should target when looking for a job? Here's a rough guide to deciphering how to categorize your skills and what to keep in mind:
Entry levelThis category is
misleading, because it's not just for those new to the workforce. Plenty of
people
who have been in the workforce for five years or fewer can fall under the entry-level umbrella.
When going after an entry-level job, try to let your personality and enthusiasm shine. "Entry level is
all about personality fit ... basic skills of good communication, eye contact and a sign of eagerness and
genuineness are key in securing entry-level jobs," Beqaj says.
When going after an entry-level job, try to let your personality and enthusiasm shine. "Entry level is
all about personality fit ... basic skills of good communication, eye contact and a sign of eagerness and
genuineness are key in securing entry-level jobs," Beqaj says.
Midlevel
For job seekers who are no longer newbies in the market, a midlevel position
has entirely different
demands. "A midlevel manager typically directs people, departments, functions or projects as well as
budgets," says résumé writer Deborah Schuster, founder of Lettersmith Résumé Service.
"For most companies, this would require a minimum of a bachelor's degree and five to 15 years of experience.
"Additionally, conveying to hiring managers how you would fit in with the company hierarchy is key.
"Midlevel requires experience in previous jobs, so making sure that you have the experience and skills
sets required is paramount. Your ability to articulate your experiences and how they positively impacted
your previous employer are critical," Beqaj says.
demands. "A midlevel manager typically directs people, departments, functions or projects as well as
budgets," says résumé writer Deborah Schuster, founder of Lettersmith Résumé Service.
"For most companies, this would require a minimum of a bachelor's degree and five to 15 years of experience.
"Additionally, conveying to hiring managers how you would fit in with the company hierarchy is key.
"Midlevel requires experience in previous jobs, so making sure that you have the experience and skills
sets required is paramount. Your ability to articulate your experiences and how they positively impacted
your previous employer are critical," Beqaj says.
Senior-level and
executive
Just because you were a senior-level employee at one company doesn't mean you should be targeting
only senior roles for your next gig. "There are many definitions for the word 'executive' and 'experienced,
'" Schuster says.Corporate structures vary and larger companies have few senior-level slots. Before applying, use a site like LinkedIn to see where an employee with duties similar to your desired role fits in. "It helps if you know the size of the company and have a description of the qualifications they seek. And be sure your résumé and cover letter is tailored to show that you have those qualifications," Schuster says.
Just because you were a senior-level employee at one company doesn't mean you should be targeting
only senior roles for your next gig. "There are many definitions for the word 'executive' and 'experienced,
'" Schuster says.Corporate structures vary and larger companies have few senior-level slots. Before applying, use a site like LinkedIn to see where an employee with duties similar to your desired role fits in. "It helps if you know the size of the company and have a description of the qualifications they seek. And be sure your résumé and cover letter is tailored to show that you have those qualifications," Schuster says.
Match skills not level
Just because you fall into a certain experience bucket doesn't mean you can't
apply for a position that requires your skills but is on a lower level. Most
companies are happy to consider a more junior person for a job, especially if
that means they can get away with paying a lower salary.Before you apply,
consider whether "your natural instincts [are] making you feel comfortable
or uneasy; trust your senses," Beqaj says. Many larger companies may also
start employees at a lower level. In other words, your senior-level role at a
technology startup may result in a midlevel position with a Fortune 500 firm.
Understand what or whom
you're managing
Another good test for figuring out which level to target is to gauge your
current job responsibility. Whether you're getting the information from a
recruiter or through your own personal connections, get a sense of whether you would be managing entry-level
employees, other managers,
a department, a group of businesses, the entire enterprise or just your own
time, says George Bradt, managing director of PrimeGenesis, a company that helps
executives become established in their new jobs.The higher the level, the more
senior the job title should be for your next position. "What matters when
reviewing job descriptions for entry level, midlevel, senior and experienced positions is what people
are managing," Bradt says.
