How to Become a Supervisor

Most of the time, you will only need a high school diploma to obtain a supervisory role, though having a degree or completing an online course can definitely increase your chances of getting this position, as it can distinguish you from the rest of the candidates.

Taking part in business management, leadership, and business communication courses can help you stand out to employers when applying for roles.

Before applying for your new role, be sure to read the job description closely. The post will tell you what qualifications you will need, if any, and help you understand the demands of the job. If you are a first-time supervisor, you need to familiarise yourself with the supervisory skills and education that most employers expect you to have in the bag.

Successful supervisors come with a wealth of experience in conflict resolution, workflow management, and overseeing a team. However, we all need to start somewhere.

A supervisor is usually someone who was originally in the working team and promoted to this role because of their loyalty, strong work ethic, and their expansive knowledge of their job.

That usually means you must have years of experience on the job or at least show a remarkable aptitude in what you do. In other words, if you are chosen as a supervisor, you are seen as a role model for the rest of the people working in the organisation. 

Once you are appointed as a supervisor, you may need to complete specialised training programs that will teach you how to manage your team.

Though they usually hold less power and responsibility than managers, supervisors will be expected to boast a similar skill set to any other leadership role, namely:

Supervisors are responsible for ensuring the productivity of all of the team members they are supervising. Most importantly, they are appointed to oversee the work, actions, and conduct of the people working below them whilst always having the good of the business at the forefront of their mind.

You may find yourself bringing new employees up-to-speed, overseeing a small team, and dealing with any inter-work politics. Effective supervisors know the meaning of hard work and take to this management role with ease. You may have previously worked as a team leader, for example, and gained the skills that you need in your new working life.

The role of a supervisor is a varied one. At times, they’ll be there to make sure everyone is getting their work done, and sometimes, they’ll be down in the trenches with their employees lending a hand. Other responsibilities include:

Seeing as the supervisor role is a lower-level leadership role, gaining experience as a supervisor can be a great stepping-stone to careers in management and other leadership roles.