How to Become a Supervisor

As with most jobs, those with more experience tend to earn higher salaries. In fact, employers are often willing to pay a premium for supervisors with several years of experience because they're seen as more valuable assets.

While you don't necessarily need a college degree to become a supervisor, it will give you a competitive edge. In some cases, employers will require that candidates have at least an associate degree. Usually employers view candidates with higher levels of education as being more qualified. 

The industry you work in will also affect your potential earnings. For example, supervisors in the Pipeline Transportation of Crude Oil industry earn a median salary of $131,110 per year, while those in the Food and Beverage Stores industry earn a median salary of $46,490 per year.

Another factor that will affect your salary is location. Supervisors in Wyoming earn a median annual salary of $89,300 while those in Arkansas earn a median annual salary of $59,990. One of the main reasons for this difference is the cost of living in each state.

As a supervisor, one of your main responsibilities will be to set goals and objectives for your team. This involves creating a vision for the team and communicating it to members. Additionally, you'll need to develop strategies for achieving these goals and ensure that everyone is on the same page.

This involves setting deadlines and milestones as well as tracking progress and providing feedback. As a supervisor, you'll need to be able to identify areas where team members are struggling and offer support when necessary.

This is an important part of the job as supervisors need to provide direction and support to team members to help them excel. This involves answering questions, giving feedback, and offering suggestions. Additionally, supervisors need to be able to resolve conflicts and provide motivation when needed.

This includes both human and financial resources. As a supervisor, you'll need to be able to allocate these resources in a way that is efficient and effective. Additionally, you'll need to monitor usage and make adjustments as needed.

As with other types of managers, supervisors use a variety of equipment. This includes computers, which are typically used for tracking progress, storing data and communicating with team members. Additionally, supervisors use software programs to help with tasks such as scheduling and budgeting. Sometimes, supervisors also use specialized equipment, such as manufacturing equipment or medical equipment, depending on your industry.

The work environment of a supervisor varies depending on the industry they work in. For example, those who work in manufacturing spend time on the factory floor while those who work in healthcare will spend most of their time in a hospital. The majority of supervisors work indoors, but some, like supervisors of construction or government projects, spend time outdoors. Additionally, supervisors will need to travel to different locations depending on the needs of their team. Some supervisors are able to work from home or have a hybrid arrangement. This means that they split their time between working from home and working in an office. However, sometimes, you will work in hazardous conditions as a supervisor, especially if you're in the oil and gas industry, which means that you need to be aware of the risks and take precautions accordingly.

As a supervisor, one likely colleague is another supervisor who oversees a different team. You will work with managers, who are responsible for multiple teams. Additionally, you'll likely have administrative support staff, such as an administrative assistant or secretary. Your colleagues will vary depending on the industry you work in. Just remember that who you work with will depend on the size of the company you work for and the specific needs of your team. For instance, if you work in a small company, you'll likely not have any colleagues and instead, report directly to the owner or CEO. On the other hand, if you work in a large tech company, you will likely have several colleagues, including service technicians, software developers, and call center representatives.

Usually, supervisors work full time during regular business hours. However, the specific hours vary depending on the industry you work in. For example, those who work in healthcare will need to be available for night and weekend shifts. Sometimes, supervisors will need to travel for business purposes, which means that they will likely have to work additional hours. The schedule will often change depending on the week or season; otherwise, it remains the same. Although supervisors usually work during the week and have weekends and holidays off, there are times when you need to work weekends or holidays, especially if you have a looming deadline. 

Additionally, if you work in a customer-facing role, you will need to be available during these times. For example, those who work in retail tend to work on weekends as this is when most people do their shopping.

Similar to the education requirements, the license and certification requirements will vary depending on your industry. For example, those who work in healthcare will need to get licensed as registered nurses while those who work in retail generally don’t need any specific licenses or certifications. However, there are some licenses and certifications that are common among supervisors, including the first aid certification and OSHA certification.

One of the most important skills for a supervisor is the ability to lead, motivate, and manage a team. This includes setting goals, delegating tasks, and providing feedback. Additionally, supervisors need to be able to communicate effectively, both in writing and verbally. This particularly helps when dealing with difficult situations, such as conflict resolution. Supervisors also need to have strong problem-solving skills as they will often be responsible for solving complex problems. Last but not least, it's important for supervisors to stay organized and detail-oriented as they will often have to juggle multiple tasks at once. 

One of the main differences between a team leader and a supervisor is that a team leader is typically more focused on day-to-day operations. A supervisor is responsible for both the day-to-day operations and long-term planning. Additionally, supervisors usually have more authority than team leaders, such as the ability to hire and fire employees. Last but not least, supervisors get their role through hiring or promotion while team leaders are typically elected by their peers. 

Just like most jobs, being a supervisor has its challenges. However, the challenges of the job vary depending on the industry and company. For example, those who work in healthcare tend to find that the job is more difficult as they have to deal with complex medical issues. Additionally, those who work in retail will likely find that the job is more challenging during the holiday season when there is an increase in customer traffic. 

Applying for a job as a supervisor is easy with Spherion. Just search for supervisor jobs on Spherion.com by job title and location. If you don’t see the perfect role, you can submit an open application. Once you submit your resume through Spherion’s open application, a recruiter from the office closest to you will reach out with details about potential case manager roles that fit your skill set and professional goals.