Most professionals are focused on career growth, but even when you make a lateral career move, there are still benefits for your professional journey. If you’re considering a new position at your current company, you’re looking for a change and aren’t sure what to focus on, or you’ve been recruited for a similar position you’re in now, consider the following benefits of making a lateral career move.

1. New Coworkers

You can gain wisdom from different perspectives, and lateral career moves may surround you with new coworkers. In a new-but-similar position, you might gain access to:

• New mentors
• New leadership styles
• Different ways to collaborate
• More diverse experience

All of this can influence you as a professional going forward. Sometimes, we learn the most from the people we’re working with. Even in a lateral position, you can still gain a wealth of new knowledge from your coworkers.

2. More Experience

Of course, with every day, month, and year you work in a position, you’re adding depth to your experience that could help you advance your career. Your next ideal position may require a specific number of years of experience in a particular position, so a lateral move may make sense if you want to accumulate more experience in a certain role.

A lateral career move to a different company could provide added benefits. There may be more opportunities to move up there, you could meet people who could introduce you to better opportunities, or working at a company with more notoriety in your industry could be enough to help you advance your career. A change of work environment could be all you need to progress.

3. Industry

Diversification

Taking a lateral position but learning in a new industry is clearly a step toward growth. In a new lateral position, you can still expand your skill set in a different role. You may be learning how to use new technology. Or, your new position could emphasize skills you need to progress your career, like communication, collaboration and leadership.

You can also gain valuable insights into how different companies work, which could make you more sought-after as a candidate. By working for another company or in a different industry, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of how business operations, teams and leadership chains can function. You can apply these insights throughout your career, rather than being limited by only seeing a single company’s strategy. 

A lateral position may have a similar title and salary, but it could also provide you with more ways to develop as a professional. In a lateral position, you can develop transferable skills that you can add to a resume and enhance your work value. Think about skills you need to strengthen to advance. A lateral position may require you to use those skills more frequently, which could benefit your career growth.

Different Skills to

Develop

In a new lateral position, you’ll still be able to grow your skill set in a different role. You might be learning how to use new technology, for example. Or, your new position could have more of an emphasis on skills you need to progress your career, like communication, collaboration and leadership.

A lateral position may have a similar title and salary, but it could also provide you with more ways to develop as a professional. Think about skills you need to strengthen to advance. A lateral position may require you to use those skills more frequently, which could benefit your career growth.

4. Ability to Work in a

Better Location

If you’re interested in moving geographic locations, you may find it’s easier to do so by taking a lateral job opportunity. A lateral career move can help you establish yourself as a professional in a new place. Some benefits include:

For those who want to move quickly and have a job offer when they move, a lateral move may make the most sense, at least in the short term. You can use your current skills to excel at your new position, then look for something more advanced once you’re established where you move.

5. Opportunity to Work for a Better Company

Similarly, a lateral position may be the best way to work for the company of your dreams. A 2023 LinkedIn survey found 82% of U.S. workers agree they want to work for a company that has values and a culture that aligns with their own. If the quality of your employer matters as much as the work you’re doing, you may want to explore lateral positions at your ideal companies, since those positions could be easier for you to obtain.

Once you’ve established yourself at the company, you could explore internal promotion opportunities. Whatever lateral career position you take, talk with your supervisor early on to establish a career development plan that offers a roadmap for you to grow your career with them.

Lateral Moves Could

Be Great for Your

Career

Taking a similar position to your previous one could be great for your career long-term. Lateral moves enable you to:

• Keep working and avoid employment gaps on your resume
• Make new professional connections that could lead to better career opportunities
• Develop your skill set in a new environment or with a new work team
• Find work in the places and at the companies that you’re interested in

Even when a new position has the same title or pay scale as your last one, you can still use it to grow your career. With any new position you take, talk with your manager about your career goals and what you need to do to reach them. This can help you find ways to pursue education and certifications and take on roles and responsibilities that can help you continually progress.

Are you looking for a new job? Check out our career page. Need help advancing your career? Contact our recruiting firm team to join our network of talented candidates.