It’s the ultimate catch-22. You want to move up into management but don’t have the experience as a manager and every job requires a few years of management. So how is anyone getting this coveted early management experience? 

My secret is to get promoted into management, rather than getting your first management job at a new company. This is because while in your current role you have 2 major advantages.

1. You have the opportunity to demonstrate your capacity to do more than your current role. Through your work you can prove your willingness to take on more, to stretch your skills, and to think like a manager. These things are much harder to prove on a resume or in an interview with people who haven’t seen you in action.

2. You have the time to cultivate relationships with senior staff who may be willing to take a chance on you. While you may be grossly unsatisfied with your current job. You could spend time getting to know the influencers in your organization so that when an opportunity for a promotion arises, you are top of mind for the decision makers.

Most people overlook the advantages they have from their current positions. They are so miserable that they are only looking externally for opportunities. My recommendation is to move up within your organization—then move out if you want. You don’t have to stay there forever but you may find that once you’re in management, there are a lot of changes you can make. The leap into management can feel big but if take advantage of things that are working for you, you may get there more easily.