Moving up the corporate ladder, go, go and away we go! While it’s great to be ambitious and set goals, sometimes those goals can and should include pivoting sideways rather than upward. Instead of thinking of a lateral move as a step back or a stagnant move, in many ways it can position you for a better trajectory in the long run. Let’s take a look at several scenarios when it makes complete sense to do so.
Getting out of a toxic situation. Raise your hand if you’ve worked (or are currently working) for a toxic boss! The best way to regain your focus on work instead of constantly deflecting the negative environment involves getting a new job. As you look for a job externally, it’s not necessarily considered a step back to move to a new organization in a very similar role. In fact, it’s quite liberating.
And considering you can hit the ground running with your specific skill set, especially if you work for a competitor, you’re very appealing to prospective employers as a potential new hire. Yes, typically when seeking a new job you should stretch outside your comfort zone and look for opportunities that don’t leave you saying, “Yup, been there, done that.” But when you need to get out of a bad employer situation — and get out fast — lateral moves are certainly one way to go.
[See: Tips for Surviving a Career Transition.]
Reposition yourself for greater success. Let’s say you work in one role and you can’t see yourself in it for the long run. Maybe the next two years tops, but certainly not the next five or more. That’s when it makes sense to pivot — if you are leaping into a completely new industry, a new field with transferable skills (this is when it makes sense to use a functional resume rather than chronological). During this transition it may even feel like you’re starting from scratch, but that’s because in many ways you are — in that new field. Try to look at that new role as an opportunity to stay grounded, learn and roll up those sleeves and get to work.
Your hard work, dedication, enthusiasm and passion should shine through, and down the road you’ll look back realizing this is one of the best moves you ever made.
[See: 25 Best Business Jobs for 2017.]
You don’t want any additional responsibilities (and that’s OK). We’re immersed in a culture where more is better, but when you ask yourself what will make you happiest in your career, that doesn’t necessarily mean more. Some managers prefer to manage tasks and projects over people — they’re simply not looking to move up the ladder. They’re happy where they are.
They don’t want additional responsibilities (perceived to them as potential headaches and more stress they’d rather not take on), they like their work-life balance and want to keep it that way.
Your career is your own — no one is judging (and if they are, start re-evaluating those relationships), but you may have many more reasons why lateral moves make sense and in this case, definitely don’t be judgmental toward yourself.
You want to avoid getting laid off. If you’ve heard grumblings about your department being downsized or offshored, your goal is to get out and get out fast. If there’s an internal opening in another department at the same level, title, paygrade and is essentially a mirror image to what you’re doing now — even if you’re bored, even if you’re over it — you may have solace in knowing at least you will still have a paycheck and benefits while you continue to conduct an external search.
[See: Famous CEOs and Executives Share Their Best Career Advice.]
Another employer has better benefits. Yes, it’s important that your role keeps you satisfied and engaged, after all we spend a significant portion of our lives working — so, the work, the environment and people with whom we work are all important. We should be happy — we deserve it.
But, when you’re bored in your current role and interviewing elsewhere, even when it’s a similar role, a new employer may have significantly better benefits, perks and even tuition reimbursement! The key is figuring out what you need from an employer in terms of their value and culture. When everything is in alignment, even though the job itself may feel the same, in a new environment with shiny new bells and whistles, it can certainly put a spring back into your step.
Plus, at a new employer that advocates to empower employees, you may be able to get involved in other departments, projects and initiatives above and beyond your role, which may expand your skill set, boost your interest and your morale and eventually position you for a promotion — that is, if you want to pursue it.
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When Should You Consider Making a Lateral Move? originally appeared on usnews.com
