Moving into Management

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     The Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics reprint of the supplement “Management in the Dietetics Profession: Building a Framework for Success” had a great article titled “Moving into Management” that gives great practical advice for registered dietitians looking to advance their careers by going into management.

     The first piece of advice is to know your personality. RDs in management should be flexible and able to go with the flow of the situations and environment. RDs in management should be action-oriented, negotiable, personable, and organized. A manager should be able to enjoy all types of individuals, have confidence and be able to think quickly on their feet by giving a decision at a moment’s notice. Even if an RD doesn’t think s/he is suited to a management position, there is the possibility to grow into the role.

     A second piece of advice is to focus on your leadership skills. Management roles demand quality leadership skills and it’s important to strengthen and highlight these skills when moving into a management role. It is important to highlight leadership skills at employment or outside of work – the bottom line is being able to show the successful management of a group of people with a positive outcome.
     The third piece of advice in the article is to tailor your resume. It is important to tailor your resume correctly when seeking a management career. Focus on the competencies of the job requirements that you fulfill and indicate these skills high up on the resume. If dietetics is a second career, highlight any skills that are applicable (e.g. analytical thinking, managing finances, negotiating, building a team, or developing staff).
     The fourth piece of advice is to nail the interview. Dress for the job you want, not for the job you have. Know the company prior to your arrival to the interview and come with several examples of how you handled various situations. Be ready to discuss experience with customer service, interpersonal skills, and team building. Practice telling these experiences with family and friends and be prepared to focus on measurable outcomes.
     The fifth piece of advice is networking. Networking is critical and can provide the opportunity to develop leadership skills. Start by joining a group and becoming actively engaged in the group. Joining a professional organization provides the opportunity to network and the opportunity to find a mentor to build a management career.
Reference:
Mathieu, J. (2012). Moving into management. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 112(5)Supplement, S16-S17. doi: 10.1016/j.jand.2012.03.017
-MG

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