When it comes to your career, sometimes "up" isn't the only direction you should be traveling.
A sideways or "lateral" move -- defined as a move either within your current company or to a new organization with similar title, pay, and responsibility -- can often be a strategic move that pays off big time in the long-run.
Here are some things to consider before making a lateral job change, thanks to our friends at TopResume.
It used to be easy to think of the learning curve. One axis for knowledge and the other axis represented time. One hoped for a steep ascending line starting in the lower left corner and skyrocketing up. We like to be described as “quick studies” to show that we can learn at the speed of light.
Yet in the 21st century, information bombards us day and night. Our attention spans are fed in 15-30 second increments. Texting has replaced writing and words are replaced by emojis and three letter acronyms.
With endless demands on our time, we should be aware that learning is not a curve. Learning is iterative. It can also be interactive, visual, tactile. We need to be aware of our collective differences in learning styles and appreciate that there is no right way to learn.
Here are some pointers to help you learn more effectively in today’s distractive information age:
Let's face it- the best and brightest professionals don't all live in the same city or state. If companies want to hire candidates with the highest talent potential, from time to time, they'll need to convince some of them to relocate for a new opportunity.
It's not easy for people to give up their life outside the office to move across the country. By understanding why the employees who opt to relocate choose to do so in the first place, you can increase the chances that you'll be able to lure candidates with high talent potential to the city you're based in.
The following infographic by Allied gives some hard data on why employees are willing to move for a job and how companies are able to convince them to do it:
Recently, I started dividing my time living and working in two states. I thought the transition would be relatively simple, but then found out … not so much. It has been a challenge to get things set up remotely, find the right contractors, know who to call and who I can trust, and most of all being organized and self-disciplined to work productively
“How are you?”
“Living the dream – one day at a time.” That’s my answer every time I’m asked. Originally I hoped it would be my trademark, to help distinguish me from the average ‘Joe Recruiter’, but it’s now evolved into a daily practice. It’s made me happier and more successful in all aspects of life.
So, you’ve proclaimed 2015 to be the year you get in the best physical shape of your life. You’ve armed yourself with the best workout gear and gadgets, and made enough kale smoothies to last for months-GO You! ... But what about the health of your career?
No, it’s not what you think. I’m talking about getting real, as in being your true self.
For example, everyone says to “be yourself” during a job interview. But what does that really mean? How do you strike the right balance between being genuine and professional, while effectively articulating your ideas, beliefs, cultural fit, process, methodology, etc.?
I’m sorry I can’t help you but that doesn’t mean I don’t want to help you or that you are helpless…oh hell!
My boss calls me a “classic people pleaser.”
I counter with the lyric from Jewel’s 1990’s ballad, “In the end, only kindness matters.” My boss says Jewel was high and that people pleasing will make a recruiter crazy. Or broke. Or both.
You are under a microscope in those first 90 days. You could find yourself out of a job.
Just as you are often remembered at your old company for your last few weeks, you are also known for your first days as a new employee and you may never live down some real blunders. Here are some real Don’ts of the first 90 days (and beyond).
My reference f@*ked me and my recruiter won’t tell me who said what?!!
Situation: You are at the end of the hiring process for a job that is to die for and you give your standard 3 references and your potential future boss says he did the references and won’t be hiring you.