Lateral Job Moves Aren’t a Bad Thing
I just saw a survey that said 21% of workers plan to change jobs this year. Not all of those moves will be for jobs with greater responsibility at bigger companies. And that’s okay. Honest, it really is.
Sometimes I think candidates assume (incorrectly) that companies will view lateral moves as a negative. That’s simply not true. Lateral job changes are made for a variety of reasons – a shorter commute into work, more flexibility with schedule, better pay and benefits. Lateral moves are also made when it appears the company I’m moving to has more opportunity and is managed better overall.
It’s also acceptable to move from a large organization to a smaller one. The size of the company doesn’t make it better or worse. Both have their pros and cons. I’d even say that, right now, having start-up experience could make you an in-demand candidate. The uniqueness of working in a start-up environment can be a marketable skill. People should not make the assumption that the only candidates in demand are the ones who have worked at large organizations.
Lastly, moving from managing people to managing a process is also not terrible. While we often talk about the need to be a team player, it’s also equally fine to be an individual contributor. Working in a team environment does not make you a better person. Everyone still needs to get the job done. There shouldn’t be a stigma associated with managing a process instead of a workgroup.
There are not enough job openings in the Fortune 100 to employ everyone. Part of finding the right job is selecting the right organization. For instance, there are thousands of companies that employ administrative staff. If you’re currently looking for an administrative position, you have to decide what kind of company you want to work for – small, large, virtual, etc.
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Job candidates today need to be able to explain their career path. If you accepted a position that changes your role from a “people” manager to a “process” manager, be prepared to explain why. When moving from a large organization to a smaller one, share the reason you made the change. And if you did take a lateral move, have an answer ready when a recruiter asks about it.
There’s a lot to be learned by taking the same position with a different company. Or moving to a smaller firm. And working as an individual contributor. Those skills are equally as valuable.
Image courtesy of HR Bartender
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