A lateral career move involves transitioning to a new job role at a similar level of responsibility and pay as your previous position. For instance, moving from a Marketing Manager at one company to a Marketing Manager at another may appear lateral. However, this move can still offer benefits like exposure to a different industry, working culture, or diverse project experience. It's crucial to recognize these benefits so you can clearly articulate them to potential employers.
Be transparent about your reasons for the lateral move. Perhaps the new role offered opportunities for professional development that your previous role lacked. If you moved industries, explain how this broadened your expertise. For example, shifting from IT project management to healthcare project management might have provided you the chance to tackle new regulatory challenges. Clarity here helps prospective employers understand that your move was strategic, not stagnant.
Your transferable skills are your strong suit in articulating the benefit of a lateral move. Focus on skills that are applicable across various sectors, such as communication, problem-solving, and leadership. For example, if you were previously a team lead managing projects, emphasize how this skill will contribute to effective management in future roles. Highlighting these skills demonstrates your ability to apply your knowledge in diverse scenarios, showing growth rather than stagnation.
Use your cover letter to pre-emptively address any concerns about your lateral move. Set the stage by detailing what you learned from the experience and how it fits into your long-term career aspirations. You might say, 'My recent role allowed me to deepen my expertise in customer relations, an area I plan to focus on as I progress in sales leadership roles.' This approach shows foresight and a growth-oriented mindset.
Be prepared to discuss your lateral move in interviews clearly and confidently. Use it as an opportunity to demonstrate your proactive approach to professional development. For example, explain how the move helped you gain new insights or improve specific skills. Avoid leaving it to the interviewer to infer these benefits, as doing so could lead to misinterpretation. Consistently connect your experiences back to the skills and attributes the new role requires.
Common mistakes include downplaying the significance of a lateral move or not fully addressing it. Avoid saying the move was merely for change — this can suggest indecision. Instead, be specific about what you achieved or what you learned. If you joined a start-up for a broad exposure, underline how this required rapid problem-solving. Each role transition should be framed as a strength-building exercise relevant to your career goals.
Your career progression, with its lateral moves, should read like a cohesive story. Each role should build upon the last, serving as a logical step in your broader career journey. Consider how all your past roles fit into a single narrative about acquiring specific skills or perspectives. This narrative approach helps potential employers see the bigger picture of your career strategy, demonstrating that you are actively directing your career path.
When detailing a lateral move on your resume, focus on achievements and specific learnings rather than job titles. Quantify results where possible, such as 'Increased department efficiency by 15%.' Tailoring your resume for such nuances is important, and a resume diagnostic can help identify gaps or areas for improvement. Consider leveraging tools like 'Ghosted' to refine your resume and ensure it portrays your experience both accurately and compellingly.
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