General management

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General management is varied, hands-on and challenging. General Managers have responsibility for a team of staff, but are also accountable to senior managers for achieving project-based work and management targets. Consequently, roles are very busy, but also stimulating and rewarding. You will be responsible, on a day-to-day basis, for the direction of a business, or part of a business, against the backdrop of an increasingly global marketplace.

General management activities typically include:

•    Defining objectives, allocating resources, hitting targets and taking responsibility for the outcome.
•    Project work.
•    Recruiting, supervising, motivating and developing staff, to ensure effective team working.
•    Effective communication.
•    Controlling finances and managing budgets.
•    Problem-solving and dealing with complaints, and managing change.

Graduate training schemes for General Managers are limited, but those advertised on CareerConnect over the last few years have included Mars, Mitchells & Butlers, NHS, Imperial College London, Standard Life, British Airways, Argos and Sainsbury’s.

Those who are happy to opt for a particular management stream can turn their attention to a greater array of employers, including businesses, from manufacturers and financial services, through to retailers and public sector organisations.

What types of jobs are there?

Most organisations offer management positions which tend to specialise in particular management areas, such as Purchasing, Production, Marketing, Sales, Finance, Personnel/Human Resources, Manufacturing and Logistics/Distribution, all of which have an element of general management work within them.

There are opportunities to join a scheme with the chance to experience a range of management streams before deciding to specialise. These typically stream opportunities into ‘commercial’ and ‘technical’ options. Many other schemes offer a more specialist entry point, but can also offer the opportunity to try out one or two other areas, via secondments, in the first few years. The important thing is that you decide how sure you are about a particular management area. If you are unsure, apply to schemes where you can sample more than one area. If you are quite sure, then specialise now with the knowledge that you can often negotiate a change in management area early on into your training. Interestingly, to reach the Managing Director role in an organisation, most large companies will look for someone with experience in more than one management area and increasingly in more than one organisation.

Starting salaries vary considerably, depending on whether it is a public or private sector organisation. Discussions with some of our graduate recruiters here at Oxford suggest a range of starting salaries between approximately £20,000 and £29,000, but remember that this depends often on location, business size and sector. The 2011 National Management Survey showed that the average basic salary for Departmental Managers was £64,586. Managers responsible for running large, corporate, commercial organisations can expect salaries that run into six figures. Often in this sector there are other significant areas of compensation to be taken into account when considering an overall salary package, e.g. cars/car allowance, pension arrangements, share option schemes, study leave allowances, season ticket loans and so on.

What skills do I need?

Employers are looking for well-rounded individuals. You will need to demonstrate skills or, if not, potential in the following areas:

•    Commercial awareness, combined with an ability to think strategically and to plan ahead.
•    Awareness of globalisation and cross-cultural issues.
•    Flexibility to adjust to changing circumstances while still meeting targets or deadlines.
•    Good oral (including presentation and public speaking) and written communication.
•    Numeracy and IT.
•    Potential to supervise staff, including listening skills, influencing, team-working and good interpersonal skills.
•    Resilience and an ability to handle criticism.
•    Decision-making and problem-solving.
•    Self-confidence and a willingness to prioritise the demands of the business and staff.

What are the entry points?

Most people enter general management roles straight from an undergraduate degree. There are a number of postgraduate courses that may be of interest particularly in general business but these are not essential for entry. It is equally unlikely to create any significant advantage for you. Developing good business knowledge can help to demonstrate your commitment to the work and interest in business issues. There are a limited number of organisations offering general management schemes. Entry on to these schemes is typically very competitive. Retail management offers further opportunities similar to general management, allowing people to move through store management into more strategic positions.

MBAs are ideal for those who have significant managerial experience behind them and who are in a position to apply their learning in a more senior strategic and managerial situation. So, for UK-based recruitment, delay MBA plans until later in your career.

How do I get experience?

Getting some form of general management work experience is extremely valuable. The extra insight and sense of confidence you will feel in your career choice, and the evidence of commitment and ability it provides at interview, is useful.

The large general management training schemes mentioned earlier do offer some places, but these are often more competitive than permanent positions, because there are fewer in number. Don’t restrict yourself to general management; look also at particular functions such as HR Management, Finance or Marketing, to get a taste of management work and the environment. For all these types of vacancies visit CareerConnect. If you are unable to get into these roles, then think laterally. Getting experience in any role that will improve your communication skills, team-working and organisational skills will be invaluable. Add to this some discussions with alumni from the Oxford Careers Network (OCN), look out for management courses or employer visits, and you will improve your chances significantly. Employers are increasingly channelling people from their work experience schemes into permanent graduate opportunities, so make sure you start early.

How do I get a job?

The milkround and careers fairs are a vital source of vacancies for those looking at general management. The large international companies offering high-quality training schemes will generally have a high profile during Michaelmas Term, with opportunities generally gone before Easter. Some have deadlines as early as November.

The primary source of job vacancies will be CareerConnect, Prospects Today, The Graduate, Guardian, Telegraph, and The Times.

EMPLOYMENT RIGHTS AND EQUALITY

For information about your employment rights, including the National Minimum Wage, please visit: http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Employment/Employees/index.htm   and http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Governmentcitizensandrights/Yourrightsandresponsibilities/DG_10014458

International students

There are frequent changes to the rules affecting international students and recent graduates wishing to work in the UK. Until April 2012 the Tier 1 Post-Study Work category of the Points-Based System to work in the UK will be in operation. Under this scheme, international students can apply for leave to live and work in the UK for a maximum period of two years, provided they meet the eligibility criteria. In April 2012 this will be replaced with a new route in Tier 2 which will require a job offer, a minimum salary and students will need to apply within the UK. It is recommended that, for the most up-to-date information, you check the UKCISA: UK Council for International Student Affairs website which offers independent information and advice about immigration, finance and working in the UK, and also the UK Border Agency website. Please refer to our Diversity files at the Careers Service for more information, or consult the University's Student Information and Advisory Service.

Relevant events

For full details of events, check the What’s On section of our website and log in to CareerConnect.

•    How to Demonstrate Commercial Awareness, Thursday 10th November 2011, Careers Service.
•    Oxford Careers Fair, Saturday 5th November 2011, Examination Schools.
•    Internship Fair, Wednesday 16th November 2011, Oxford Town Hall.

Resources available

OXFORD CAREERS NETWORK (OCN)
The OCN is a database of Oxford alumni who are willing to be contacted about their career. Read their case studies for behind-the-scenes insights into an organisation or occupation, and contact volunteers for more advice and information via CareerConnect.


ONLINE INTERVIEW FEEDBACK
The careers website includes access to online interview feedback forms completed by Oxford students; please see the link below to access.

https://www.careers.ox.ac.uk/auth/interview_feedback/

RESOURCE CENTRE
The Careers Service also has an extensive resource centre at 56 Banbury Road, Oxford, where you can drop in to browse during opening hours (visit our website for details).

FILES
Occupational Files:
•    G3 Marketing
•    H Buying, Selling and Retailing
•    J4 Management Accounting
•    L1 Administration
•    M2 IT Management and Services
•    P Transport and Logistics
•    T1 Plant and Production Management

BOOKS
•    Personnel Practice
•    WetFeet Guide: Accounting
•    WetFeet Guide: Careers in Human Resources
•    Business in Action: The Business of Business
•    How to Read the Financial Pages
•    Essentials of Marketing: Text and Cases
•    Careers in Management
•    Complete A-Z Business Studies Handbook

E-BOOKS
The following e-books are available through SOLO (Search Oxford Libraries Online) -  http://solo.bodleian.ox.ac.uk.  These are just a sample of the books available:

•    Confessions from the corner office: 15 instincts that will help you get there, Scott Aylward and Pattye Moore
•    Executive stamina: how to optimize time, energy, and productivity to achieve peak performance, Marty Seldman and Joshua Seldman
•    From new recruit to high flyer: no-nonsense advice on how to fast track your career, Hugh Karseras
•    Plugged in: the Generation Y guide to thriving at work, Tamara Erickson
•    Strategic career management: developing your talent, Jane Yarnall
•    Successful networking: how to build new networks for career and company progression, Frances Kay
•    The coaching connection: a manager's guide to developing individual potential in the context of the organization, Paul Gorrell and John Hoover
•    The manager's guide to maximizing employee potential: quick and easy strategies to develop talent every day, William J. Rothwell
•    The starting in management pocketbook, 2nd edition: a pocketful of tips, tools and techniques to give new managers added confidence and lay the foundations for future success, Patrick Forsyth


JOURNALS
•    Management Today, monthly

PODCASTS
The Careers Service has recorded a series of podcasts.  Subscribe in iTunes or find a full list here: http://podcasts.ox.ac.uk/#career-unit

Useful websites

In addition to the websites listed below, all companies and organisations mentioned throughout this Briefing can be found via a web search.

GENERAL VACANCIES AND OCCUPATION INFORMATION
•    www.prospects.ac.uk
•    www.targetjobs.co.uk
•    www.jobs.ac.uk
•    www.economist.com
•    http://jobs.guardian.co.uk/
•    www.jobs.telegraph.co.uk
•    http://jobs.thetimes.co.uk/
•    www.thegraduate.co.uk
•    www.get.Hobsons.co.uk

ORGANISATIONS AND INSTITUTES
•    www.cbi.org.uk  Confederation of British Industry
•    www.managers.org.uk  The Chartered Management Institute
•    www.ciltuk.org.uk  Institute of Logistics & Transport
•    www.fta.co.uk  The Freight Transport Association
•    www.bifa.org  The British International Freight Association
•    www.iomnet.org.uk  The Institute of Operations Management
•    www.ihm.org.uk  The Institute of Healthcare Management
•    www.cim.co.uk  The Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM)
•    www.cipd.co.uk  Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development
•    www.cimaglobal.com  Chartered Institute of Management Accountants

Social media

Twitter is a quick way to develop your knowledge about the sector and find opportunities.  You can read and search it without an account.  We’ve made 20 handy lists, so that you can see at a glance information tailored to your interests.  See http://twitter.com/#!/OxfordCareers/lists

If you’d like to join Twitter, remember to ‘follow’ us (www.twitter.com/OxfordCareers) as well as your chosen lists to keep receiving useful information to help your career.


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Page last edited: 02 October 2011

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