Let’s talk about lateral career moves. So often people talk about making more of a vertical career move where they want to go up, up, up - and, while that is certainly an awesome goal to have, sometimes a lateral career move can be just as powerful. Oftentimes, making that lateral step can be something that leads you to that position with an awesome upward trajectory. You never know - But, it’s important to be informed about all of your options should you find yourself looking for work.

What is a Lateral Career Move?

On the most basic level, a lateral career move is one that is equal to or similar to the position you’re in currently. For example, if you’re a Regional Sales Manager, a lateral career move would be shifting to another Regional Sales Manager position elsewhere. The duties, salary, position, and details are all about the same, the company or department is just different.

Sometimes career moves aren’t always going to include a massive salary increase, promotion, or even title change. Sometimes they’re exactly what you’ve been doing but with more opportunity. Or, maybe it includes a few duties that you haven’t done before that you really want. It could be a myriad of things. Check out this great description of lateral career moves from The Balance Careers:

A lateral move gives the employee a chance to expand his skills and network with a new circle of employees and customers. A lateral move is an opportunity for an employee to expand their career path opportunities.

Visually, in a lateral move, the employee's new job is equal to or on the same level on an organizational chart as the employee's former job. The employee who accepts the move may or may not report to the same manager, depending on the responsibilities that report to that manager.

Frequently, it affords the employee the opportunity to report to a new manager. This change allows the company to get a different perspective on the employee's skills and experience. Also, the move may allow the employee to work in new departments, offices, work areas, or workgroups.

Lateral career moves are awesome ways to get your foot in the door at that one company you admire, learn from different bosses, or add more to your plate without having to make any drastic leaps or declines.

How do I know it’s time to make a Lateral Career Move?

There are a few ways to know when it’s time to make a lateral career move. It could be due to something as simple as you don’t feel as though you can grow at your current company, you feel stuck, your environment is toxic, etc. Needless to say, there are a number of ways, reasons, issues that can arise and nudge you towards making that lateral move.

In a blog by Glassdoor, Lisa Alteri, CPO for Kraft Heinz U.S. had this to say on the topic of lateral career moves:

“It’s hard to quell that evil ego,” Alteri says. “In general there’s an obsession about titles because title is associated with status, and that’s where the ego comes in. But you as the individual care so much more about the title than your current or future organization does. And those lateral moves can bring so much more than a title.”

It’s so true. Today, everyone is so hung up on titles; being a director, boss, Senior Level Employee, etc. - it’s an obsession. And, it’s controlling people’s career choices. Titles don’t matter. If you love the job description, duties, and boss, but the title isn’t something you think you “deserve” consider reevaluating your reasons for a career change anyway. Are you only looking with the intent of changing your title? Or, are you genuinely searching in order to grow yourself, your skills, and your career?

Lateral career moves take a lot of soul-searching and they’re not right for everyone. If you’ve been in the same position for 5 years - Look for something better like a step up. But, if you’re new to this whole career move, ladder hopping world, maybe consider something more comfortable with a smoother transition.

Other things to consider if you’re looking to change it up:

• If you stay where you are - who’s position would you take? Would you be promoted at someone’s expense?

• If you want to move up but your next position would be your boss’ and you know they’re not going anywhere…What does that mean for you?

• Could you be laid off in the future? Has there been some reorganization at work and you feel like your next?

• You aren’t willing to wait until you could be moved up - Say you’ve had this role for years but you want that promotion now - Maybe it’s time?

Career moves/changes of any kind are a lot to take and sometimes companies don’t give you much of a choice but to leave. If you find yourself looking to move around or want to leave your current place of employment - Consider a lateral career move. We think it’ll be a powerful change for you!