Chief Executives
O*NET files this work under Chief Executives: people who determine and formulate policies and provide overall direction of companies or private and public sector organizations within guidelines set up by a board of directors or similar governing body. With a code of ECS, this is mostly a job for people drawn to leading, persuading and making business decisions. Conventional interests also help, rated 5.0 out of 7. The preparation level is extensive preparation, typically graduate school and often five years or more of related experience. O*NET’s skill data points to judgment and decision making, critical thinking, and complex problem solving as the ones to build. The job can ask you to direct or coordinate an organization's financial or budget activities to fund operations, maximize investments, or increase efficiency. It tends to suit people who want leading, persuading and making business decisions, and it offers little for anyone seeking hands-on work with tools, machines or the physical world.
What they do
Determine and formulate policies and provide overall direction of companies or private and public sector organizations within guidelines set up by a board of directors or similar governing body. Plan, direct, or coordinate operational activities at the highest level of management with the help of subordinate executives and staff managers.
Main tasks
- Direct or coordinate an organization's financial or budget activities to fund operations, maximize investments, or increase efficiency.
- Confer with board members, organization officials, or staff members to discuss issues, coordinate activities, or resolve problems.
- Prepare budgets for approval, including those for funding or implementation of programs.
- Direct, plan, or implement policies, objectives, or activities of organizations or businesses to ensure continuing operations, to maximize returns on investments, or to increase productivity.
- Prepare or present reports concerning activities, expenses, budgets, government statutes or rulings, or other items affecting businesses or program services.
- Implement corrective action plans to solve organizational or departmental problems.
Skills
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Critical Thinking
- Complex Problem Solving
- Systems Evaluation
- Speaking
- Management of Personnel Resources
Who this career fits
May suit you if
- You like taking the lead and making the call.
- You like clear rules and getting the details right.
- You are prepared for graduate-level study and a long training path.
- You are comfortable relying on judgment and decision making and critical thinking.
May not suit you if
- You would rather not persuade, sell or manage other people.
- You want to work with your hands for most of the day. Realistic rates 1.3 out of 7 here.
- You want to be working in the field within the next few years.
Interest profile
O*NET rates each occupation from 1 to 7 on six interest types. The code ECS takes the three highest, and Enterprising comes first here.
Preparation
Extensive preparation. Many jobs here need graduate study, and people often spend five years or more building specialist experience.
Most-reported requirement in the O*NET survey: Master's Degree. This reflects what workers reported most often and is not a legal minimum. Licensing rules can differ by state or industry, so confirm what applies where you plan to work.
Also called
- CEO (Chief Executive Officer)
- Chief Diversity Officer (CDO)
- Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
- Chief Information Officer (CIO)
- Chief Operating Officer (COO)
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This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.