Developing Business Management Skills

A degree may open the door to a variety of opportunities and diverse career paths. The degree programs offered at AIU will not necessarily lead to the featured careers. This collection of articles is intended to help inform and guide you through the process of determining which level of degree and types of certifications align with your desired career path.

In today's competitive market, employers are looking for more in their business management hires: more know-how, more abilities, and more potential. Labor market analytics company Burning Glass analyzed 25 million job posts for management-related roles in 2015 and discovered desirable skills employers seek in their new hires: Business management skills were prominent in the results.¹

The following information may play an important role in helping shape your goals, working toward building important skills, crafting your resume, and highlighting these skills in interviews.

Business Management Skills Sought in Job Listings

According to Burning Glass, Some of the specialized business management skills employers desire when searching for employees include knowledge in:²

• Administration
• Budget Management
• Business Management
• Conflict Management
• Delegation
• Interpretation of Financial Data
• Interpretation of Legal Statutes Relevant to Business
• Potential Process Improvements
• Understanding and Creating Financial Reports
• Understanding Financial Statements

Meanwhile, the baseline management skills that may be helpful in the business field are:¹

• Communication skills
• Organizational skills
• Writing
• Planning
• Project management
• Microsoft Excel
• Problem solving
• Supervisory abilities
• Building effective relationships
• Budgeting

What Can I Do to Improve My Business Management Skills?

Knowing the skills that may be helpful in the business management field is the first step. The second step is taking action to ensure you can build and develop those skills to best position yourself to pursue future opportunities.

Offer to Take on Leadership Roles or Extra Projects in Your Current Position

Leadership roles or projects may be big or small depending on the opportunities that arise and where you are in your career. However, your bosses may notice each time you show initiative and perform well. At the same time, each opportunity may additionally give you the chance to expand your experience and develop and hone your abilities outside the scope of what your normal duties allow.

Find a Mentor

Seek out someone in your company or field with the skills employers identify as being critical to success. Explain your goals and future career trajectory, and ask if he or she would be willing to be your career mentor.

Continue Your Education

If you have experience but still need to further your education, whether it’s pursuing your bachelor's or master's degree, consider going back to school. You may want to consider looking for a quality, accredited university that will offer you the flexibility to continue working full-time while providing you with the opportunity to build proficiency in the skill sets that may help you prepare for your next step in your career.

Learn More About Business Management at AIU

Taking these steps may prove useful in boosting your abilities while also helping you achieve your desired success. Therefore, the next time you see a job posting that interests you, you may have the confidence and experience to go after it.

1. “The Human Factor: The Hard Time Employers Have Finding Soft Skills.” Burning Glass Technologies. Retrieved from: https://www.burning-glass.com/wp-content/uploads/Human_Factor_Baseline_Skills_FINAL.pdf (Visited 10/3/18).
2. “Management Skills List and Examples.” The Balance Careers. Retrieved from: https://www.thebalancecareers.com/management-skills-list-2062427 (Visited 10/3/18).

American InterContinental University cannot guarantee employment or salary. Find employment rates, financial obligations and other disclosures at www.aiuniv.edu/disclosures. Financial aid is available for those who qualify.
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