Is it a bad idea to work as a manager for the first time?

A reader writes:

I need help assessing the advantages and disadvantages of working for someone who has 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 am currently in the process of interviewing for a role that looks very promising and meets almost all of my criteria. Yet in the process of learning about the hiring manager, I learned that this person was a recent graduate (less than five years ago) who was rapidly promoted into a role that now sees them managing people. I will be the first person they hire and manage.

This is a concern for me, as I fear that someone with less experience may require too much management. I also know that people who have little or no management experience have a tendency to become micromanagers as they become confident in their managerial abilities. I have a meeting with this new manager in a few days, so I’ll learn more about how they approach the day-to-day.

Had this new role not come with a major salary increase, I would have declined to proceed with the interview process. Is a salary increase worth the risk to a new manager or is it a red flag that I should ignore despite being offered this much money?

I Inc. today. I’m answering this question here, where I’m revisiting letters that are buried in the archives here from years ago (and sometimes updating/expanding their answers). You You can read it here.