
What do you do in that situation? I took a deep breath and began my external search for a new opportunity. I had left the position I was in – and watched my landing pad evaporate overnight. In the aftermath, a firm-wide decision would freeze all internal transfers indefinitely effective October 1. What I didn't know in the summer was that the financial crisis would hit at the end of September. I gave my notice to my audit teams so that they could change staffing for the upcoming year, and wrapped up my audit projects. I was accepted as a transfer into forensics in August, to be effective November 1st. Because I loved the firm, and had always been fascinated by forensic investigations, I decided to interview for a new position at the internal forensic accounting department. I was happy as a manager at a top auditing firm, but knew that I did not want to follow the audit partner career track. Remember that you may have to be flexible.
#LATERAL MOVE PROFESSIONAL#
you are a marketing assistant in a professional services firm, and you accept a similar role in a hospital fundraising department) you have your base skills to fall back on while you learn the ropes of the new field. Even if you select a position in another industry (e.g. If you would rather switch companies, an external lateral move is the best fit for you. Large companies may offer temporary or permanent transfers to another city or even abroad if you are interested in traveling. You get the advantage of keeping certain elements of your professional life the same while gaining a new set of puzzles to solve with a different group of people. If you love the company you're at – for its mission, pay, benefits, short commute, better job title, or a fantastic culture – consider applying for a position at your current level in a different department or functional area. Both are valid possibilities depending on what you're trying to accomplish. Your two main sets of options are to take a role consistent with your current position responsibilities within your company, or to consider a similar position elsewhere. A shorter commute, a better work life balance, more job security, a specific mission-critical skillset that you aren't getting today or an assured career track could all contribute to your thought process. List all the relevant factors honestly, and rank them in order of priority to get yourself organized when choosing between job offers. Sometimes, a reassignment is the perfect way to stop working with a manager that you don't have great chemistry with. A change in responsibilities and daily tasks might re-ignite your excitement about showing up at the office. Why are you contemplating a career move, and what are you hoping to accomplish as a result? It's OK to be motivated by a mix of factors. Whatever your situation, here are three big points to consider when it comes to a lateral career move. A lateral career move can be a great tool to get you what you want. In some circumstances, you may not want a linear promotion but would welcome a career move. Perhaps you work for a small company and your boss is 15 years away from retirement with no plans to go anywhere. In a difficult economy with fewer new positions and openings being created, your current company may not have room on the organizational chart to give you a meaningful promotion in the near future. Far from being a waste of time and effort, lateral career moves can actually propel you forward in a powerful way if you consider a longer time horizon.

A recent study by Cornerstone OnDemand revealed that 89 percent of respondents would consider a lateral job move with no financial incentive. With those limited choices, no one lived happily ever after.Įnter the modern-day career lateral move – position changes that allow you to step sideways instead of up. At that time, your options were to stay where you landed and hope the obstacle would work itself out, or leave the company for a promotion or career advancement elsewhere. You would continue to get promoted at your current company in a linear manner until you ran into a dead end. Once upon a time, your professional growth and career development options were limited. But keep these tips for making lateral career moves in mind. A lateral move can be a great tool for your career path.
