New position? - FEEDBACK NEEDED

[Mary Arrotti]

Anonymous wrote:
  <<I'm hesitant because I'm not sure if I'd be able to write as much (at least not end-user docs) and that makes me a little uncomfortable because that's what I've been doing for 
over 13 years...I'm also fearful that if there's a layoff, I would be let go because I wouldn't be dedicated to one project as I am now.>>
   
  It sounds like your decision is influenced by fear of change and the lack of job security. 
   
  Whether you decide to take on management responsibility or not - your job & responsibilities are changing. 
   
  When I first read this post - I flashed back to my first tech writing position many years ago. The doc manager position became open & was offered to a long-time employee & experienced writer. "Sue" turned the position down - she was comfortable & didn't want more responsibility. We ended up with an inexperienced manager who made a lot of changes. Sue complained & complained - we shouldn't be doing things *that* way. She was right most of the time. But she'd been wrong to assume that nothing would change - that her choice was between change and the status quo.
   
  If you decide not to move into management (which may be a good decision) you may end up reporting to someone who changes (for good or bad) what you do & how you do it - including being dedicated to one project. And moving into structured writing/CMS may lead to many changes in itself. 
   
  As to your second concern - while mid-level managers are sometimes more vulnerable than worker bees during layoffs - there are ways to mitigate this. To be viewed as integral to your organization, you may need to know everything that's going on in your group & to continue to produce. There are ways to manage this (status reports, working a few days at home on your own writing). Still - being a manager - particularly a working manager - can be a headache. This moves into personal & lifestyle choices. Can you handle the extra stress? Are you willing to deal with personalities & employee issues? And if your management responsibilities require an extra X hours a week - are you willing to absorb this by working X hours overtime? 
   
  You may be the best person for this job - that's seems to be what your manager thinks. And it sounds like this will be a gradual increase in responsibilities - so you have time to adjust & work on how you'll handle everything. But if it doesn't interest you & you don't think you could be effective - I'd recommend passing it up. 

       
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