However, if you feel that your desires are going unnoticed, or if you are rejected do not give up. What is important is that you have positioned yourself to make the move and you let your management know you are ready to move. You are on the right track whether you get the job today, tomorrow, or next month. And it may be that the position you seek is not currently open. It almost always takes time for management to decide on filling positions. Keep the meeting focused, polite, and end it with a smile. Then share some of your ideas on ways to create added value if you had a new position. Make it clear to her that you think you have the potential to do more and that you would like the opportunity to gain more responsibility. Share some of your past successes and contributions to remind her of your current value. Sit back in the chair and calmly let the boss know that you would like to discuss your role in the company. Once you have your ducks in a row, it is time to make an appointment with your boss to march those ducks down the hall.
This will show you understand your worth and are looking forward. Don’t forget to also have a short list of ways you can create even more value in the new role of CAD manager. This is the list that enumerates all the ways that you create value for your company. But you should still have a list of your accomplishments, certifications, milestones, and project history ready. Prepare to ask for your new job.Ĭhances are that you will be looking to move up in your current company, so you will probably not need a resume. You will never get a job you don’t ask for. Make sure this is the right move for you and not one you are making because it is the “next” step. Talk to your current CAD manager or go to an online forum and ask what it is like to be a CAD manager. It’s easy to only see the benefits of this new position without knowing the not-so-great aspects. “The grass is always greener…” is a cliché for a reason. Are these deal breakers for you? These are important factors because this will be your new life. It involves people skills, settling disputes, lots of meetings and planning, and tons of patience. You know all about being a CAD drafter in a production role, but how much do you really know about being a CAD manager?ĬAD management is more than just CAD. So, before you leap, think about where you will land. That is a position that can make you very happy where you are. There is no doubt you are good at what you do. These things will not only prepare you for management, they will serve you well in your current role and make you more valuable.
AUTODESK CAD MANAGER TOOLS FULL
That’s what makes me good at what I do!” Fine, but ask yourself this: Are your current skills enough to make you a good CAD drafter or are they enough to be a good CAD manager?Īre you up to date on your training? Are you using all the tools that your company provides for you? Are you taking full advantage of all the career and skill enhancement programs your company offers? Are you currently “managing” your own workload in a way that gives confidence that you could manage others? If not, why not? You may be thinking “My CAD skills are sharp. The first step in preparing for your new role as a CAD manager is to begin by examining your skill level. One does not simply become a CAD manager. I knew that was the right move for me, and maybe it’s the right move for you, too! Let’s find out with some CAD manager career advice. I decided to move up and become a CAD manager. I wanted more responsibility, more interesting projects, and greater challenges. It didn’t seem like I was going anywhere I just came in, produced plan sheets, and went home. Things were good, but while I was busy, I wasn’t really challenged. That is when I realized what had once been just a job was actually my career, and as such, I had to advance.Īt that point I was a production CAD drafter at a civil engineering firm.
On that note, I didn’t start my career until I was 28. To him “having a job” was the most important thing, but I think if he had lived longer he would have come to believe as I do, that having a job is not enough you need a career. My grandfather passed away when I was young but he had instilled the responsibility of hard work. Veteran CAD manager Curt Moreno takes you through the steps you need to take to become a CAD manager extraordinaire. Architecture, Engineering and Construction.Architecture, Engineering & Construction.