How can I know if I´m prepared for a leadership position? How to get a leadership position without experience?

Submitted by Marco Moraes
in
Career Management

 Hi,

How can I know if I´m prepared for a leadership position ?
How to get a leadership position without experience?

 

I´m 28 years old, I speak from Brazil and I have 9 years of experience in information technology, and now I feel that I´m prepared to be a IT manager for a small size company or an IT coordinator at a mid size company. I´ve been preparing myself for the last 2 years to be a good leader, and I think that I can! I still have a little fear, but I think that´s good.

 

I think that I have a talent to deal with people and solve conflicts. I have seen in my work experience bad leaders that didn´t know how to motivate or deal with people, and I know that I will do different.

 

The problem is that I don´t have experience in a leadership position, so how can I get a job opportunity without experience? What do I need to do to have more chances to become a IT manager?

 

I want to leave my city and go to São Paulo to have a good job, but I don´t know if I need to be there to get a job opportunity or I can get an offer living away from São Paulo.

 

I forgot to say, I´m a good technician, I have ITIL and Cobit Certifications, and I will take the PMP exam in the next month.

 

I need some advices, please.
 
thanks.
 
Marco

 

Submitted by Mads Singers S… on Friday October 29th, 2010 2:30 pm

Hi Marco,
You've found the right place at least. It's always hard to get any type of leadership job if you cant present experience or some sort of education (the first count highest!).
A couple of ways you could do this is to join a either non-profit or volunteer organization, as it's generally a lot easier to get into possitions where you can learn and practice. (A suggestion could be Toastmasters International, as this is a great place to learn a number of different skills, but I'm sure there's a number of organizations near where you stay now or plan to move)
The other way is to join a company in a entry level position, where you can perform well! As high performance is required, make use of good communication etc and show you are ready for a job with more responsibility.
 
Kind Regards
Mads Sorensen
Disc 4536