When networking contacts or prospective employers ask you what types of opportunities you are considering, please don’t say “something in management.” That means nothing to most people. Management is one of those words thrown around without much thought.

Exactly what do you mean when you say you’re interested in management opportunities? That you want your own office? That you want a certain pay rate? That you want to be the one giving orders? That a title matters to you? What do you want to be managing? People? Processes? Programs?

I’m not saying the word management is bad, but it shouldn’t be left drifting in the wind by itself. Paint a picture for others of your capabilities and what types of situations you are prepared to take the lead on. If you like to be the one with your finger on the pulse of key projects within a company, say so. If your extensive background in sales techniques has prepared you to develop the abilities of others, make that point. If you enjoy being the point of contact when problems arise in an organization, spell that out.

If you don’t shed light on what you mean by management people will make assumptions based on their own experiences and views. It’s been my experience leaving others to guess what you mean rarely turns out well. Vague statements are ripe for guessing games.

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