Assistant Manager Jobs in the United States

Assistant Manager Jobs Overview

Assistant manager jobs are the lifeblood of many industries. In this position, you'll take on a leadership role in the organization. During the course of your duties, you'll help senior and general managers make improvements to the company.

Keep in mind that your duties can expand whenever the manager isn't there. You might take part in hiring and supervising employees, carrying out specific directives, and working directly with customers. You'll also assess employee performance.

Assistant managers work in many different environments, which involve everything from a traditional office environment to a retail store. If you take a job in sales, you might also work on holidays. However, most assistant managers have 40-hour work weeks.

One unique aspect of applying for these jobs is that you can do so throughout many different industries. For example, you can work as an assistant manager at a grocery store, auto dealership, or tech startup. Since this job offers a considerable amount of variety in job postings, you have some control over the type of company you work for.

Salaries for Assistant Manager Jobs

The salary for an assistant manager depends on experience, location, and industry. If you live in a larger city you may earn more than those who work in small towns. While experience plays a crucial role in determining your salary, the industry you work in is the most significant factor.

The median salary for assistant managers ranges from $45,507 to $72,548 annually. Some of the cities with the highest demand include:

• Houston, TX - $52,094
• Austin, TX - $52,222
• Las Vegas, NV - $60,791
• Los Angeles, CA - $66,095
• New York, NY - $67,089

Use our salary calculator to find out what you could earn in assistant manager jobs in your area. Once you input your location and the relevant job, you'll see the median salary as well as what similar jobs pay.

How to Find Assistant Manager Jobs that Fit You

In order to find assistant manager jobs that suit your skills and experience, you should first work on defining your career goals and interests. You'll also need to assess your strengths and weaknesses to better understand which assistant manager job is right for you.

You should also spend some time identifying what you're looking for in a job. Along with growth opportunities, consider if having a flexible schedule and a good work-life balance are important to you.

Measure Your Qualifications Against the Job Description

Your next task is to review the specific assistant manager job description and measure it against your skills and experience level. Every job description contains a set of requirements or qualifications that applicants should try to meet. If you believe that you're a good fit for the role when taking the qualifications into account, you can feel confident in starting your application.

If you like the job description but need to improve your skills, consider taking some time to obtain additional training or earn a certification. When it comes to these jobs, you can improve your qualifications by earning a higher business-related degree or obtaining a certification.

Research the Company and Its Culture

Before you write your resume and start working on your cover letter, make sure you research the company and learn more about its culture. Since there are many different types of assistant manager jobs, you should consider management style, track record, company size, team dynamics, and reputation when weighing your options. You should find most of this information on the company's website.

Search for Possible Growth Opportunities

Many companies offer opportunities for growth, which you should look for when considering different job listings. You might find information about professional development and advancement in the company on their website. You'll also have the chance to inquire about these opportunities if you land an interview.

While most assistant managers progress to a general manager or senior manager position, you could also gain a promotion that allows you to act as a regional manager for numerous stores in a county or state. Before applying for a job, ask yourself if the progression fits with your long-term career goals.

How to Apply to Assistant Manager Jobs

The first step in applying for an assistant manager job involves reviewing the job description to identify some key skills and qualifications that you can highlight in your application. For example, employers seeking assistant managers want people who have some or all of the following traits and skills:

• Leadership
• organization
• communication
• collaboration
• analytical thinking
• inventory management
• conflict resolution
• visual merchandising

If the employer gives any specific instructions, make sure you adhere to them.

Write a Detailed and Compelling Resume

The most crucial element of any application is the resume, which provides your potential employer with everything they need to know about you. With the right tools, you can create an effective resume that boosts your chances of landing an interview.

While writing your resume, implement as many keywords as possible. Resume keywords are single words or short phrases that are available in the job descriptions. Relevant keywords for assistant manager jobs include:

• experience supervising others
• team development skills
• communicate policies and expectations

For assistant manager jobs, it's best to format your resume with the reverse-chronological technique. This format places your experience at the forefront of your resume since it displays your latest experience first, you'll show potential employers how far you've come.

You may also consider a combination resume, which offers the best of functional and reverse-chronological formats. While this format highlights your skills first, it also emphasizes your experience.

If you need assistance with your resume, use Monster's Professional Resume Writing Services to ensure your application is seamless.

Craft a Well-Written Cover Letter

Once you write the resume, pair it with a compelling manager cover letter. You can make this one-page letter slightly more conversational than your resume. Keep in mind that a cover letter is always necessary when applying for assistant manager jobs.

While writing your cover letter, make sure it isn't the same as your resume. Focus on why your skills make you a good fit for the position. Make sure everything you include in the letter is an answer to your potential employer's needs.

Tell them why you want to apply for the job and what you hope to achieve. It's also important that you include your contact information.

Writing a compelling cover letter allows you to make a good first impression on your potential employer. Read more of our tips on cover letter etiquette to learn the ins and outs of this process.

Submit Your Application

It's time to submit your application. First, create an account with Monster to easily discover jobs that match your interests. Plus our members can request a free resume review.

Double-check your entire application for errors before you send it off. While you reread everything, make sure you've included all relevant information.

How to Follow Up with an Employer

After submitting your application, follow up with the employer to increase your chances of gaining an interview. Correctly timing your follow-up is essential. It's best to do so around five to seven days after applying or after the application deadline.

The Follow Up Process

Knowing how to follow up is just as important as understanding when to do so. You should send an email that reiterates your interest in the job and states your main skills.

Mention why you're a good fit for the role. Limit the email to a couple of short paragraphs. Include your name and other contact info at the end of the email as well.

Who to Follow Up With

You should follow up with the hiring manager or recruiter in charge of filling the position you're applying for. There's a good chance that the job description contains this person's contact information. You can also likely find it on the company's website.

If you're still reaching a dead end, call the employer. In this scenario, a customer service representative or HR manager should direct you to the right info.

Interviewing Tips

Landing an interview means that the hiring manager believes you fulfill most or all of the necessary qualifications. If you haven't done so before now, take some time to research the company as well as the position that you're interviewing for. You can more effectively convey how you're a good fit by having a firm grasp of their culture and values.

To prepare for an interview, practice giving answers to some of the questions you typically hear for assistant manager jobs. You can find some of the more common interview questions by reading Monster's top interview questions.

Interview Process

The interview process for an assistant manager job mainly centers around behavioral and competency-based questions that make it easier for the interviewer to know what kind of employee you are. You can expect anywhere from two to four rounds of interviews, which come in a combination of phone, video, and in-person methods. The final one is almost always an in-person interview.

It's likely that the hiring manager will conduct your interview. The types of questions you receive may include:

• How do you manage work-related stress?
• What makes you an effective assistant manager?
• What method do you use to prioritize tasks?
• How did you resolve a conflict with a manager?

Interview Tips

Having a comprehensive knowledge of your skills and the employer is the first step toward acing an interview. However, you'll also need to effectively communicate these things.

Since you'll likely receive numerous behavioral questions, you should know how to use the STAR technique when providing answers. This allows you to demonstrate your skills and experience with relevant examples that paint a clear picture for the interviewer.

An example of a behavioral question for assistant managers is "Tell me about a time you had to provide a manager with bad news." With the STAR technique, you'll describe the situation before talking about the specific action you took. Then, state the positive results of this action.

Follow Up

Once the interview is over, you should send a brief thank-you email within 24 hours. You should then wait around five business days for them to call you. If you don't hear back at this point, give them a call.

During the call or email, inquire about the position before stating what sets you apart from other applicants. Don't forget to provide your contact information.

What to Do When You Get an Offer

Congratulations on getting an offer! Tell the hiring manager that you're grateful for it before mentioning that you'll take around three to five days to consider everything.

There are several important components to look for in any job offer, which include salary, job responsibilities, and benefits. Make sure every detail meets your expectations. If you have any questions about your salary or another aspect of the offer, ask for clarification from the hiring manager.

When considering the offer, make an informed decision that takes your needs and priorities into account. Research the typical salary ranges for the position before accepting the offer. If you need to negotiate for better benefits or a higher salary, do so respectfully.

Career Paths

Assistant manager jobs have many potential career paths for you to consider. If you wish to receive promotions from within the company, you should have access to several senior managerial positions.

Once you work for several years as a general manager or regional sales manager, you could earn an even higher position as a director of sales operations. If you stay in the same company, you might receive a promotion to an executive role, such as chief operating officer.

If you already have a bachelor's degree, improve your chances of promotion by seeking a master's degree in business administration. There are also many different certifications you can seek, which largely depend on the industry you're operating out of. For example, consider entering the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification program to bolster your resume for the next stop on your career path.

You'll gain more opportunities in any industry by joining associations, attending industry events, and building a network. For example, the American Management Association is a great resource for any assistant manager.

Similar Occupations

Do you wish to explore opportunities that are similar to assistant manager jobs? Consider these options:

• account manager
• administrative manager
• retail sales manager
• sales operations manager