General and Operations Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate the operations of companies or public and private sector organizations. Duties and responsibilities include formulating policies, managing daily operations, and planning the use of materials and human resources, but are too diverse and general in nature to be classified in any one functional area of management or administration, such as personnel, purchasing, or administrative services. Includes owners and managers who head small business establishments whose duties are primarily managerial.

*selected career rating for: General and Operations Managers

Interests: General and Operations Managers

100		Enterprising	People with Enterprising interests like work activities that have to do with starting up and carrying out projects, especially business ventures. They like persuading and leading people and making decisions. They like taking risks for profit. These people prefer action rather than thought.
45		Conventional	People with Conventional interests like work activities that follow set procedures and routines. They prefer working with data and detail rather than with ideas. They prefer work in which there are precise standards rather than work in which you have to judge things by yourself. These people like working where the lines of authority are clear.
39		Social	People with Social interests like work activities that assist others and promote learning and personal development. They prefer to communicate more than to work with objects, machines, or data. They like to teach, to give advice, to help, or otherwise be of service to people.
6		Realistic	People with Realistic interests like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They enjoy dealing with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. They enjoy outside work. Often people with Realistic interests do not like occupations that mainly involve doing paperwork or working closely with others.
6		Investigative	People with Investigative interests like work activities that have to do with ideas and thinking more than with physical activity. They like to search for facts and figure out problems mentally rather than to persuade or lead people.
1		Artistic	People with Artistic interests like work activities that deal with the artistic side of things, such as forms, designs, and patterns. They like self-expression in their work. They prefer settings where work can be done without following a clear set of rules.

Styles: General and Operations Managers

86		Leadership	Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction.
85		Dependability	Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
83		Attention to Detail	Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
80		Initiative	Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
80		Stress Tolerance	Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations.
78		Analytical Thinking	Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
77		Self Control	Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
75		Persistence	Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
73		Integrity	Job requires being honest and ethical.
73		Adaptability/Flexibility	Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
72		Achievement/Effort	Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
67		Cooperation	Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
66		Concern for Others	Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.
66		Innovation	Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems.
64		Independence	Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
61		Social Orientation	Job requires preferring to work with others rather than alone, and being personally connected with others on the job.

Values: General and Operations Managers

90		Working Conditions	Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.
88		Relationships	Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.
81		Independence	Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
78		Recognition	Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.
72		Achievement	Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
57		Support	Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.

Knowledge: General and Operations Managers

78		Administration and Management	Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
66		Customer and Personal Service	Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
61		Personnel and Human Resources	Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation and benefits, labor relations and negotiation, and personnel information systems.
56		Economics and Accounting	Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial markets, banking and the analysis and reporting of financial data.
47		Mathematics	Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
46		Production and Processing	Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
45		Computers and Electronics	Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
45		Clerical	Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.
44		Sales and Marketing	Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
34		Public Safety and Security	Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
33		English Language	Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
33		Education and Training	Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
32		Building and Construction	Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.
31		Psychology	Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
31		Design	Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
30		Law and Government	Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
26		Mechanical	Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
25		Transportation	Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.
22		Engineering and Technology	Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
22		Communications and Media	Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.
19		Telecommunications	Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
13		Geography	Knowledge of principles and methods for describing the features of land, sea, and air masses, including their physical characteristics, locations, interrelationships, and distribution of plant, animal, and human life.
11		Chemistry	Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal m
10		Sociology and Anthropology	Knowledge of group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures and their history and origins.
10		Physics	Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub- atomic structures and processes.
6		Biology	Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.
5		Foreign Language	Knowledge of the structure and content of a foreign (non-English) language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition and grammar, and pronunciation.
5		Therapy and Counseling	Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and for career counseling and guidance.
4		Philosophy and Theology	Knowledge of different philosophical systems and religions. This includes their basic principles, values, ethics, ways of thinking, customs, practices, and their impact on human culture.
3		Medicine and Dentistry	Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.
2		History and Archeology	Knowledge of historical events and their causes, indicators, and effects on civilizations and cultures.
1		Food Production	Knowledge of techniques and equipment for planting, growing, and harvesting food products (both plant and animal) for consumption, including storage/handling techniques.
1		Fine Arts	Knowledge of the theory and techniques required to compose, produce, and perform works of music, dance, visual arts, drama, and sculpture.

Skills: General and Operations Managers

48		Speaking	Talking to others to convey information effectively.
48		Monitoring	Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
46		Coordination	Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
45		Negotiation	Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences.
45		Critical Thinking	Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
44		Management of Personnel Resources	Motivating, developing, and directing people as they work, identifying the best people for the job.
44		Reading Comprehension	Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
43		Persuasion	Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.
43		Management of Material Resources	Obtaining and seeing to the appropriate use of equipment, facilities, and materials needed to do certain work.
42		Social Perceptiveness	Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
41		Complex Problem Solving	Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
40		Time Management	Managing one's own time and the time of others.
39		Systems Analysis	Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
38		Systems Evaluation	Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.
38		Writing	Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
38		Active Listening	Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
36		Service Orientation	Actively looking for ways to help people.
36		Judgment and Decision Making	Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
33		Active Learning	Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
29		Instructing	Teaching others how to do something.
28		Management of Financial Resources	Determining how money will be spent to get the work done, and accounting for these expenditures.
27		Learning Strategies	Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
27		Operation Monitoring	Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
19		Quality Control Analysis	Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
16		Mathematics	Using mathematics to solve problems.
13		Operation and Control	Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
10		Troubleshooting	Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
5		Technology Design	Generating or adapting equipment and technology to serve user needs.
3		Programming	Writing computer programs for various purposes.
2		Operations Analysis	Analyzing needs and product requirements to create a design.
2		Equipment Selection	Determining the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.
2		Installation	Installing equipment, machines, wiring, or programs to meet specifications.
1		Science	Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
1		Equipment Maintenance	Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
1		Repairing	Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.