So, not only did we unexpectedly lose our design manager at the turn of the New Year, but now our Branch Manager's position has just been posted on our internal job posting website. I've suspected for a few years that he was close to retirement, and indeed, he plans on retiring in 4-6 months. Hopefully we find a replacement in time for an effective transition.
And on that note... I am THINKING of applying for the job.
I'm not remotely qualified, from a managerial point of view, having never created a business budget in my life, nor even ever held a management or supervisory position.
HOWEVER, I've been in the industry for 14 years, and have a decent grasp on how our business works. I'm a jack of all trades, and a quick learner - so I think I'd be able to adapt, and quickly figure out what I need to figure out. I'd have the backing of a decent medium-sized company, and the expertise and staff that comes along with it. Likely any time I have any doubts, there would be plenty of peers to turn to for advice. I've always held good relationships with my customers, as well as with my co-workers - I think this shows that I'm able to maintain positive, constructive relationships with people.
I dunno, maybe I"m just trying to talk myself into applying for it. I'm still on the fence. I'm just afraid that in this current job climate, upper management won't find somebody to fill the position, and come six months, we're going to be up
![:censor:](https://www.autos.ca/forum/Smileys/CarTalk/zz_censored.gif)
creek without a paddle. Or worse yet, they'll bring in somebody completely incompetent. I may end up being incompetent at first, but hey, at least I know all the people I'd be working with, and how best they work. Which person needs motivating, which person needs just being left alone, etc.
I dunno, I'm so full of self doubt about it. The truth is, in my industry, there isn't much, if any room for advancement. Once you're a truss designer, there isn't any where to go. I've always seen myself as a truss designer for life. This may be an opportunity that doesn't present itself ever again during my career.