13 Workforce Manager Skills for Your Career and Resume

Workforce managers are responsible for the day-to-day management of employees in an organization. They have a variety of responsibilities, from hiring and firing employees to managing payroll and benefits. Workforce managers need to have a strong understanding of human resources and be able to effectively communicate with employees. If you’re interested in a career as a workforce manager, learning about the necessary skills can help you determine if this job is a good fit for you.

Communication

Communication is the ability to convey information clearly and concisely. As a workforce manager, you may need to communicate with employees, managers, clients or customers. Strong communication skills can help you relay messages effectively and build trust with others. You can practice your communication skills by giving presentations, holding meetings and communicating with others in person or over the phone.

Decision Making

A workforce manager needs to make decisions on a daily basis. These can include deciding which projects to accept, how to allocate resources and what actions to take when an employee is absent or there’s a conflict in the workplace. Making sound decisions requires thorough analysis of all available information and weighing the potential outcomes of each option.

Scheduling

Scheduling is the ability to plan and manage multiple tasks simultaneously. As a workforce manager, you may be responsible for scheduling employees’ shifts, meetings and other responsibilities. Having strong scheduling skills can help ensure that your team has the resources they need to complete their work on time. It’s also important to consider each employee’s unique needs when scheduling so that everyone receives an equitable amount of rest between shifts.

Leadership

Leadership is the ability to motivate and guide a team toward achieving organizational goals. As a workforce manager, you may need to lead teams of employees in completing projects or addressing challenges that arise at work. Having strong leadership skills can help you provide guidance for your team members and encourage them to perform their best. You can also use your leadership abilities when training new managers by providing instruction and guiding them through the process.

Flexibility

Flexibility is the ability to adapt to changing circumstances. As a workforce manager, you may need to shift your priorities or change your approach when necessary. For example, if an employee informs you that they have a medical condition that will prevent them from working for several days, you might need to find someone else to fill in for them and adjust your schedule accordingly. Being flexible can help you be more effective at managing people and resources.

Reporting

Reporting is the act of providing information to a superior. As a workforce manager, you may be required to provide regular updates on your team’s progress and any issues that arise. Having strong reporting skills can help you communicate with your superiors effectively and efficiently. You can also use reporting skills when creating reports for clients or other stakeholders.

Multi-tasking

A workforce manager often has many responsibilities and duties that they need to complete in a day. They may have to manage multiple projects, oversee the work of their team members and ensure that all company goals are met. Having strong multi-tasking skills can help them stay focused on their tasks while also keeping an eye on other aspects of their job.

Problem Solving

Problem solving is the ability to identify and address issues that may arise in a work environment. As a workforce manager, you may be responsible for resolving conflicts between employees or addressing challenges with company policies. Problem solving skills allow you to assess situations and find solutions that satisfy all parties involved.

Forecasting

Forecasting is the ability to predict future trends and events. As a workforce manager, you may need to forecast how many employees your company will need in the next few months or years. This can help you plan for hiring needs and determine if you need to adjust employee benefits or salaries. You also use forecasting when planning projects and determining timelines.

Time Management

Time management is the ability to plan and execute tasks in a way that ensures you meet deadlines. As a workforce manager, your time-management skills are important because they allow you to ensure projects are completed on time and that employees have what they need to do their jobs well. For example, if an employee asks for training materials, you can use your time-management skills to find the most efficient way to get them what they need as quickly as possible.

Workforce Planning

Workforce planning involves forecasting the future needs of an organization and creating a plan to meet those needs. This includes identifying skills that existing employees may need to develop in order to advance their careers, as well as predicting which positions may become available in the near future. Workforce managers can use their workforce planning skills to create training programs or update job descriptions to ensure they have enough qualified employees to fill open roles.

Organization

Organization is the ability to keep track of multiple tasks and responsibilities. As a workforce manager, you may be responsible for overseeing several projects at once, so it’s important to have strong organizational skills. This can help you stay on top of deadlines, ensure that your team has what they need to complete their work and remember key details about each project.

Analytics

Analytical skills are important for a workforce manager because they allow you to make informed decisions about your company’s resources and operations. For example, if you notice that one of your departments is consistently over budget, you can use analytics to determine the cause of this issue so you can take steps to fix it. This allows you to save money and improve productivity in the long term.

How Can I Learn These Workforce Manager Skills?

There are a few ways that you can learn the necessary skills to become a workforce manager. Many of these skills can be learned through on-the-job experience, so working in a management position or in a position that requires you to manage a team can be a good way to learn these skills. Alternatively, there are many books and online resources that can teach you the basics of workforce management. Finally, there are many courses offered by colleges and universities that can give you a more in-depth understanding of workforce management.