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What is a general manager and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
Quoted Experts
Eric Olsen,
Kerem Cakirer Ph.D.
introduction image

A general manager oversees the operations of a business or organization. They work to meet financial goals and manage employees. They create and implement strategies to increase revenue, reduce costs, and improve overall performance. General managers often work with executives to make decisions about the direction of the company. They also hire and train employees. They require communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills. Ultimately, a general manager impacts the success of an organization.

What general advice would you give to a General Manager?

Eric OlsenEric Olsen LinkedIn Profile

Professor, Industrial Technology and Packaging, Orfalea College of Business

Times of change are also times of great opportunities. We are going to need new technical solutions to address problems we are just learning about. You have to lean into the issues. Don't be a technologist - be a problem solver. That is why we also emphasize soft skills like lean six sigma, teamwork, and change management.
ScoreGeneral ManagerUS Average
Salary
5.6

Avg. Salary $71,581

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level
9.6

Growth Rate 6%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity
3.5
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.47%

Asian 6.42%

Black or African American 6.24%

Hispanic or Latino 15.39%

Unknown 4.35%

White 67.14%

Gender

female 29.34%

male 70.66%

Age - 44
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 44
Stress Level
9.6

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity Level
9.2

Complexity Level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance
3.6

Work Life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being a General Manager?

Pros

  • Competitive salary and benefits package

  • Opportunity for personal and professional growth

  • High level of job security

  • Potential for bonuses and incentives

  • Ability to network with industry professionals

Cons

  • Dealing with difficult stakeholders and employees

  • Managing frequent changes in the industry and market conditions

  • Risk of burnout or job dissatisfaction

  • Challenging communication with team members from different departments or locations.

  • Potential for negative impact on mental health

General Manager career paths

Key steps to become a general manager

  1. Explore general manager education requirements

    Most common general manager degrees

    Bachelor's

    56.2 %

    Associate

    18.7 %

    High School Diploma

    12.0 %
  2. Start to develop specific general manager skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Customer Service20.29%
    Cleanliness18.05%
    Food Safety7.12%
    Guest Service4.42%
    Payroll4.23%
  3. Complete relevant general manager training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New general managers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a general manager based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real general manager resumes.
  4. Gain additional general manager certifications

    General manager certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific general manager certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

    The most common certifications for general managers include Food Safety Manager Certification and Certified Food Manager (CFM).

    More About Certifications
  5. Research general manager duties and responsibilities

    • Generate positive EBITDA and improve cash flow by managing costs and inventory.
    • Manage all recruiting and training efforts, and develop systems to track ROI comparison results.
    • Work as a FOH AGM and train to manage all staff functions including training, hiring, food and labor controls.
    • Develop yearly budget for multiple hotels that include revenue, labor, fix and variable costs to achieve overall EBITDA goal.
  6. Prepare your general manager resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your general manager resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a general manager resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose From 10+ Customizable General Manager Resume templates

    Build a professional General Manager resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your General Manager resume.
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  7. Apply for general manager jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a general manager job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How Did You Land Your First General Manager Job

Zippi

Are you a General Manager?

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Average general manager salary

The average General Manager salary in the United States is $71,581 per year or $34 per hour. General manager salaries range between $40,000 and $126,000 per year.

Average General Manager Salary
$71,581 Yearly
$34.41 hourly

What Am I Worth?

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How do general managers rate their job?

4.25/5

Based On 4 Ratings

5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

General Manager reviews

profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Apr 2023
Pros

High energy job, fast paced, social interactions.

Cons

Long hours, late nights, staffing, constantly adjusting to economic changes.


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Jul 2022
Pros

Helping my stores and employees achieve there goals

Cons

Only one day off no time for family


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A zippia user wrote a review on Apr 2022
Pros

I have leadership skills I always hire employees who like to work in a team I like to see sales increase and love to see the best customer service is given

Cons

In reality, i do not complain as its who i am


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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