#LATERAL MOVE PLUS#

If you say yes to everything it may delay or prevent you from finding the right opportunities that will support your career plan. The opportunity does not fit your career plan-When you are strategically owning your career, the ultimate objective is to position your talent to realize your career aspirations. Here are four ways to assess if you should say no to a lateral move:ġ. All lateral moves are not created equal and you have to understand which ones are good for you. Really assess the organization’s perspective on the importance of the role, how it fits into implementing the strategy, and what that means for your career growth. I will say it is important to assess the role in totality before you decline. You don’t have to say yes to every position that is offered to you. I have also sourced roles where candidates have accepted and declined these types of opportunities. In my career I have accepted and declined lateral moves. It can also assist with keeping you engaged with new assignments and tasks while you prepare for your next role. This will especially be beneficial when an opportunity at a higher level becomes available. No line of sight to moving up-Are you a part of a fairly flat organization? Laterals may be your way of continuing to move and strengthen your profile. It can provide you with a good landing spot as you reposition yourself for success with a new company.Ĥ. It can also be a good move if you need to shift from your current organization.

#LATERAL MOVE PLUS#

This is a plus because a lateral will ensure you won’t have to take a step back to try something new. Lateral moves can give you the chance to maintain or slightly increase your current pay and give you the space to try something where you may not be as experience. Want to try something new-If you are looking to pivot in or out of your organization a lateral move may be your path to that change. It also gives you a chance to shine and contribute in a more profound way.ģ. Increase visibility-Some lateral opportunities may be more aligned with a key organizational initiative which will provide more exposure to people in those roles.

This will further strengthen your background and resume to position you for your next role.Ģ. This can give you a great opportunity to ascertain different aspects of the business, address your knowledge gaps, understand better ways to work with others, etc. Round out your experience-Whether you need to develop a new skill and competency or get exposure to another area a lateral move can help you gain the insight you need for the next level. Here are four ways to determine if you should take the move:ġ. There are some instances you should say yes and there are others instances you should say no. Understanding whether a lateral opportunity is driving or stalling your career movement is critical in determining if you are taking the right step or not. That’s definitely something you have to work through and consider the opportunity in its totality.Īs you look to position your talent and realize your career aspirations lateral moves can be a dynamic step in propelling you to that next level. However, most of the time there is some flexibility to discuss additional compensation. There are some cases where lateral moves don’t garner additional compensation…for example if you are already highly compensated. Oftentimes people will overlook a lateral move because they assume they will not get a pay increase with change. Second, you have to address your money mindset.

Upward movement is the anticipated result of that progress but your career will require experiences that you will not always be able to get in a linear approach. Career progression can take many shapes and forms. It’s important to bust this myth as a lot of value can be found in a lateral move.įirst, you have to expand your school of thought on career growth and understand it is not only synonymous with upward mobility. Depending on how they are positioned and the career seeker’s mindset, this type of career movement can be seen as a ‘pseudo’ opportunity. Often lateral moves are viewed as a negative.