LATERAL MOVE FREE

In a world where employees quickly need to differentiate themselves by having a broader range of skills, a horizontal career change may even help you be more versatile as a talent.Īccording to JobStreet’s Decoding Global Talent report, 61% of Singaporean employees perceived their jobs to be at risk because of automation. There is always something to learn from each role, whether it means moving across departments or industries.

A lateral move will not help you grow professionally. If you accept a promotion - a bigger job that often entails a bigger responsibility - and you end up not meeting expectations, you could even be setting yourself up for riskier outcomes. An opportunity to move up is just as good as what you’re willing to make out of it. Oftentimes, people feel pressured to accept a promotion even if they do not feel that it is the right move for them at the moment, out of fear that the opportunity will never come again. Refusing a promotion can end your career. Here are some common myths about lateral moves to shrug off. But more often than not, these perceptions are misguided by false or outdated ideas about horizontal career changes. Just like chess, sometimes sideways is the best move to get you to where you eventually want to go.Certain misconceptions about a lateral move may make you apprehensive about making the change. When considering your next career move, don’t discount the lateral move. If you find you don’t love what you do, exploring a lateral move can help you find a job you are passionate about. Reason #14: You are still searching for your dream job Many lateral moves come with training and additional education that only increase your value, both to your current employer as well as to future employers. Reason #13: You want additional education You may not get a fancy title or more money, but having values that align is invaluable when it comes to your motivation and happiness. Reason #12: You want to better match your values with that of the department or organization Sometimes making a lateral move from one organization to another can provide you with significantly better benefits, such as health insurance, retirement plans, and employee perks. If you have stiff competition in your division and are constantly getting passed up for promotion, moving away from your current environment can provide new opportunity.

Reason #10: You want more opportunities for advancement Making a lateral move will help you explore new possibilities. You’re feeling at a dead end, or not quite sure where you want to go from here. Reason #9: You want to break out of a stagnant situation If your department is being downsized, or you don’t perceive it as being high up on the value chain, making a lateral move to another department can increase security. Reason #8: You want to avoid a layoff, or enhance job security Moving from one department or organization to another means working with new faces and making new contacts, both of which are integral to your career Reason #7: You are burnt out, and want to revitalizeĬhanging departments or organizations is a good way to ensure you have new challenges to face, and are once again excited about going to work. Reason #6: You want to build your network within the company

LATERAL MOVE FREE

Whether you want to remain in a particular geographical area, spend less time commuting, or free up time for family or personal passions, a lateral move may allow you to maintain other things aside from work that are important to you. Reason #5: You want to facilitate work-life balance

The more you learn about all facets of a particular company or industry, the more broad knowledge you’ll possess to perform senior roles to your fullest capacity. Reason #4: You want to track yourself for a high-level position within your organization or industry If you are working in a peripheral part of the company, making a lateral move to a more vibrant part of the company can give you the responsibility and visibility you desire. These relationships can often have a positive and lasting effect on your career path. Sometimes making a lateral move is a good way to cement an opportunity to work with someone who will be a great mentor. Reason #2: You’ll work with a better boss or supervisor

Lateral move