You have people management skills, but you’re not in a traditional career. What are your options?

One can showcase their people management skills by managing a group of volunteers, managing a committee within a civic organization, coaching a recreational team and any other area where there's a need to manage people towards a common goal. The training, delegating, providing feedback, course correcting, and all the myriad of pieces that are involved in 'side projects' are ways to demonstrate the people management skillset and build your network.

Despite not being in a traditional career, there are various options to utilize people management skills. For example, in freelance consulting, I leverage my expertise to lead project teams remotely, coordinating tasks and fostering collaboration. In my opinion, the gig economy offers ample opportunities for non-traditional career paths, where people management skills are highly valued across industries.

If you have expertise in a particular field, you could offer your services as a freelancer or consultant. This often involves managing projects, delegating tasks to team members, and coordinating the efforts of various individuals or teams to achieve project goals.

Utilize your people management skills to launch a side project or business that aligns with your interests and passions. This could be anything from a small consulting business to an online course or a community-based initiative.

These options can be taken into consideration: - consulting: offering your expertise as a freelance consultant or through a consulting firm, providing guidance on organizational development, team building, and leadership training; - HR: you can apply your people management skills to recruit, develop, and retain talent; - training and development: design and deliver workshops, seminars, and programs to enhance employee skills and performance; - nonprofit sector: you can be a program manager, volunteer coordinator, or community outreach manager; - education: explore jobs as a teacher, instructor, or educational consultant, focusing on teaching leadership or interpersonal skills.

With the rise of remote work and online collaboration, there are opportunities to manage virtual teams or participate in online communities. You can develop skills in remote team management, communication, and coordination. The key is to actively seek out opportunities that allow you to practice and develop your people management skills, even if they are not within a traditional corporate or managerial role. These experiences can help you build a strong foundation in leadership, team coordination, and interpersonal skills, which can be valuable assets in any career path.

Co-working spaces provide an opportunity to connect with other professionals and entrepreneurs, allowing you to share your skills and learn from others. You can also explore potential collaborations or partnerships in these spaces.

Mentoring others is a great way to utilize your people management skills when you're in an individual contributor role and no longer managing people. Join your company's mentoring program or other organizations where mentoring opportunities exist. Offer to mentor someone who has expressed an interest in an area in which you have experience. [Re]Connect with former direct reports, they may need a mentor, but not know of your availability or interest in mentoring beyond the prior manager/employee relationship. Colleagues may also need mentoring, so don't leave them out! Make your desire to mentor known within your various networks and communities. I enjoy being of service to others and currently mentor former direct reports & colleagues.

Consider becoming a mentor or coach within your industry or area of expertise. This can involve guiding and supporting individuals or groups, providing feedback, and helping them develop their skills and achieve their goals, which requires strong people management abilities.

Share your knowledge and experience by teaching or mentoring others. This could be through workshops, webinars, or one-on-one coaching sessions. You can also explore opportunities to teach at local educational institutions or online platforms.

Consider volunteering for non-profit organizations, community groups, or charitable causes. Many of these organizations rely heavily on volunteers and often have opportunities for coordinating and leading teams of volunteers. This can provide valuable experience in people management, including tasks such as recruiting, training, motivating, and organizing teams.

Use your people management skills to make a difference in your community by volunteering for a cause that you're passionate about. This could be anything from a local charity to a non-profit organization.

Continuously seek feedback from those you've managed or collaborated with to identify areas of improvement. This can help you refine your people management skills and open up new opportunities.

Keep an eye out for new opportunities that align with your skills and interests. This could be a new job, a project, or even a career change.

Get involved with professional associations or networking groups related to your field or interests. These organizations often have committees, events, or projects that require team management and leadership skills.

Network with other professionals in your field to learn about new opportunities and stay up-to-date on industry trends. Consider pursuing additional certifications or training to enhance your people management skills and make yourself more marketable. Be open to unconventional career paths and opportunities that may not be directly related to your current skills but can help you grow and develop as a professional.