10 Must Do's for an Executive Wanting an IM Career

Are you ready for a Challenging career path?

An interim manager's career is challenging and rewarding but there are some 'must do's' to ensure the process of securing interim management roles is manageable and effective:

Do your homework - You must find out about the interim management industry and understand how it works. A good starting point is the Interim Management Association who are an independent regulatory body for the interim management industry.
Select the appropriate provider - Choose the right interim management service providers to work with for you. Talk to them or visit their website to ensure they work on assignments within your industry or function.
Work with reputable providers - Make sure you deal with reputable service providers who work closely with interim managers. They should be well informed about the interim management market place and explain to you how they work as an interim management provider.
Network, network, network - It is key to any interim manager's success. Network with former associates, clients, providers and interim managers to increase your chances of securing interesting assignments.
Be prepared to market yourself and self promote - Your CV details your background, but the challenge is selling your services to providers and clients to secure assignments in a face to face meeting, so be prepared for this.
Create a good CV - As a general rule, keep to no more than 4 pages, be succinct and clear, include a profile statement (which is a key marketing tool) and list your key achievements for each role you have worked on. All providers will have their own preference and read through CVs on a daily basis, so take their free advice.
Keep in touch - Always ensure your service providers are aware of your status. Call or e-mail when you reach a milestone - if you have taken another assignment, are coming to the end of your assignment (3-4 weeks before the end) and make sure they have your updated CV once you have completed your last assignment.
Manage your relationships with providers - It is worth working with a small number of providers who understand your background and experience rather than too many who may contact with inappropriate opportunities.
Be flexible - To ensure that you are being considered for suitable assignments you need to be flexible. The more flexible you can be in terms of where you will work, the roles that you will work on and the fees you will charge increases your chances of securing suitable roles.
Plan for lean times - There may be times when you have unwanted time lapses between assignments that you had not foreseen. Make sure that you will be able to manage these gaps before committing to an interim career.