is it a bad idea to work for a first-time manager?

A reader writes:

I need help in assessing the pros and cons of going to work for someone with no experience managing employees.

I have over 10 years of experience leading teams or managing programs in IT and am looking at senior mid-level roles. I’m currently in the process of interviewing for a role that seems very promising and checks off almost all my boxes. Yet in the process of learning about the hiring manager, I discovered that this person is a recent graduate (less than five years ago) who was rapidly promoted into a role that now sees them managing people. I would be the first person they hire and manage.

This is concerning to me, as I’m afraid that someone with little experience may need too much managing up. I also know that people with little to no management experience have the tendency to be micromanagers as they gain confidence in their managerial abilities. I have a meeting with this new manager in a couple of days, so will be learning more about what they see the day-to-day being like.

If it weren’t for the major pay increase this new role would have, I would decline going further with the interview process. Is the pay increase worth taking a risk on a new manager or is this a red flag that I should not ignore despite the amount of money being offered?

I answer this question over at Inc. today, where I’m revisiting letters that have been buried in the archives here from years ago (and sometimes updating/expanding my answers to them). You can read it here.

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