IT management consists of administrating and keeping track of an organization’s technology systems. These include hardware, software, and the company’s networks. Overall, IT managers ensure that all the company’s information systems are operating efficiently.
Yet it is important to understand that IT management, despite its theoretical definition, is not only about ensuring that systems work.
Beyond the monitoring and administration of these systems, technology is used to make a difference. IT managers are the ones who identify how technology can transform an organization and its people. They add value and a purpose to it! This is why they need the right hard skills to prove that they understand how the technology works, but they also need to demonstrate their knowledge in how a determined business works and what it needs to improve.
IT Management Skills
What does an IT manager do? When you think about it without overanalyzing it, an IT manager seems like a person in charge of a software team, right? However, they go beyond organizing and managing a team of programmers. They have a crucial role in an organization’s development, especially since technology is the core of everything. These are some of the IT management responsibilities:
- Manage IT budgets and costs.
- Implement new software, hardware, and data systems.
- Provide technical support in different areas.
- Monitor safety and compliance.
- Determine business requirements for IT systems.
If you plan to scale your technology department, these are the 5 essential skills for IT management you should keep in mind when interviewing candidates.
1. Technical Skills
One of the first things you need to be sure of is that this person understands and talks the same language as the rest of the IT team.
IT managers analyze a company’s hardware systems, networks, and configurations. They can understand what the company’s needs are, which is why you need someone who understands this programming world and someone who has solid experience in it.
2. Financial Skills
IT management also oversees the possibilities of innovating and implementing new solutions that can take a company to the next level. For example, let’s say that you just started a clothing line and you want to create an application to grow your business. For this, you need to keep a budget aside and see if it’s feasible for you to create an app or not. This is the IT manager’s role; they need to be able to successfully implement your vision realistically.
They need to be organized and aware of the budget they have and what they can do with it.
3. Communication Skills
When we picture an IT manager and the skills they need, we sometimes underrate communication. We always think of hard-core skills such as programming, managing software, etc. However, communication is crucial for these leaders.
They are like the bridge that joins many stakeholders; not only managing one team, in which they too should express themselves successfully, but they also are in constant communication with the leadership team and other departments. You want someone who can explain complex processes in simple words to you. Otherwise, how would you have clarity about what they are working on or if their decision is the right one?
4. Leadership Skills
You can have the most kick-ass development team, but without the right leader, that team is nothing. A talented leader makes accurate decisions and can acknowledge each member’s strengths and weaknesses and use them as gasoline.
Good tech managers also know how to prioritize and to keep control of how projects are moving forward.
Leadership skills include conflict management skills. Conflict happens in teams, but in some cases, it’s not entirely negative.
Constructive conflict, for example, can help teams debate on new ideas and reach new solutions. However, other types of conflicts can break a team, so it’s important to have someone who knows how to manage all types of conflicts.
5. Presentation Skills
A lot of movies portray programmers as anti-social geeks working in basements. However, that image has started vanishing, and the reality is that most programmers and IT engineers need good presentation and oratory skills to be successful.
IT managers require presentation skills to sell their ideas to the leadership team regarding budget, performance reviews, cybersecurity, among other topics.
Presentations to other managers, or even clients, require a confident presenter who knows how to express and convince people.
Now how to overcome the challenge of hiring an IT Manager?
Did you know that the average cost of a data breach in the US is $3.86 million? Yes, scary, right? With a solid IT team, you’ll prevent your business from suffering data breaches or having vulnerable systems. IT management practices ensure those information technologies are secure and perform at their peak and that is why it is extremely important to hire a good IT manager from the beginning.
At DistantJob, we know the importance of having talented techies. If you want to hire a manager, we can help you. Tell us about the candidate you’re looking for, and in 2 weeks, we will find the perfect match for you!
