How to move from IT Support to IT Manager

If you’re in IT Support and want to make the jump to IT Manager, here’s how to do it.

The good news is, you can start today. Plus, a lot of the skills you’ve picked up in IT Support will stand you in good stead as IT Manager. You just have to how to identify and hone them.

Here, we flag them up and tell you the next steps needed to progress to Project Manager, Team Leader and then Manager.

If you’re a techie wondering how to become an IT Manager, here’s a keyboard shortcut to make it a reality.

Talk to people

In IT Support, talking to people is part of your job. That’s good news because speaking with non-specialists will be part of your job as IT Manager. You’ll explain product benefits to customers, schmooze with stakeholders to get funding and negotiate with vendors. Even if you’re a ‘live chat’ guy or girl, you still break down complex IT topics into language the rest of us can understand.

Get to know your colleagues

This goes for IT support, developers or programmers who spend a lot of time staring at screens. Take off your headphones and talk to your colleagues. Ask about their hobbies, show interest in their work and build rapport.

This will make your job more enjoyable, plus you’ll get to know – and learn valuable information about – your future team.

Get out of the IT room, too. As an IT Manager, you’ll have to work with stakeholders from every department. So, instead of remote fixing that PC, walk down the corridor and meet the person.

Get emotional

For most IT jobs, you use the rational, left side of your brain. To move into IT management, you’ll need to boot up the right, emotional side. People aren’t robots. They have off-days, burn out if overused and need training upgrades to perform. Ok, we’re a lot like robots, but the point is you’ll need to develop your people skills to manage your future team.

A great way to do it is to become a mentor at work. Help a junior colleague improve their skillset, navigate office politics and listen to their concerns. Nurturing talent is one of the most satisfying parts of managing – and you don’t have to be senior to start.

Tell your boss

This isn’t a Christmas gift. Don’t leave little hints around the office that you’d like to get promoted. Go tell your boss. The good ones will already know you’re management material and give you the development training you need to progress.

An IT Manager’s job covers wider company responsibility, so you might have to go back to school to get a business or other work-related degree. Your boss or HR team can advise.

Project manage

Now your boss knows you’re interested in moving into management, it’s the perfect time to ask to for more responsibility. Project managing will give you a taste of being a Manager – and let you know if you like it.

You’ll get to use those people skills you’ve been working on to lead a team. You’ll hone time management and step back to see the operational side of the job. If it goes well, you’ll have a great case to get promoted to a team-leader position. Next stop? The boss’s swivel chair.

Check out more tips about how to be a damn good Manager.