Lateral or Vertical

One of the best strategic moves you can make is to move laterally as opposed to vertically.

If you are looking to enter a new industry, role, or company, you may have to pivot laterally instead of vertically in order to do so.

If you find yourself going for a vertical leap without anyone to catch you, then consider making a lateral move with a clear path to advancement.

Below are three steps on how to do so:

1. Interview with advancement in mind

2. Turn your professional development into overdrive.

3. Job-hop if your lateral move leads to stagnation.

If you’ve determined that a lateral move is best, then you want to interview with advancement in mind.

Your job is only 25% of your overall career strategy.

It’s only 1 of the 4 pillars of career success.

The other 3 pillars are your internal marketing campaign, strategic networking, and your professional development plan.

Therefore, when going for a lateral move and interviewing for your new job, you want to ask them in the interview what advancement looks like and what milestones you have to hit to get there.

This helps to clarify and ensure your first promotion before you get the job.

Secondly, you will need to put your professional development plan into overdrive.

You are effectively behind the eight ball as a mid-life career changer.

You may have 10–20 years less experience than your competitors (colleagues), and you need to be the best.

This is easy when you attend the right conferences, land the right mentors, and work with the right coaches, who can accelerate your learning and put you at the head of the class.

Thirdly, if you’ve made your lateral move and aren’t getting the promotions you’d hoped for after 1-2 years, then it’s time to look elsewhere.

After three or four years of not getting that promotion you want, your chances of getting it get much lower every year after that.

It’s not because you aren’t talented or qualified; it’s because you’ve tapped out and everyone at that company sees you as unqualified for the next role.

You’ve been pigeonholed in their minds, which is hard to break out of.

Ouch.

Therefore, it’s time to look elsewhere for a company that values your contributions.

You’ve now got the experience, have lots more professional development to do toward that role, and can hit the market with a greater likelihood of reaching your next best role.

Are you looking for your next lateral move?

-Jewel

Jewel Love is an executive coach for Black men in senior leadership who are ready to step into greatness. Your investment starts at just $10,000.

Schedule your consultation today at: www.blackexecutivemen.com