Taking a Lateral Job Move? WWYD

DrHanksBride · May 2011

Hi Ladies,

I am usually a lurker, but could use your perspective on a potential job opportunity I may have. I was contacted today about a new job opportunity in my field, it has some great benefits...better pay (by a fairly significant amount), better commute (20 minutes vs 1 hour +), company is larger and has more opportunity and supports internal advancement (where my current company does not), BUT it is a lateral move. It is the same position that I have been doing for the last 5 years....I don't hate the job, but know that I am ready to "take the next step." The thing with taking the "next step" is that I have a lot of experience in my current position, but not enough to move up in this job market. Does that make sense?

WWYD? Take the job and know that your quality of life would increase for your family almost overnight with the extra money coming in and the shorter commute but that you would be making a lateral move again. Or be patient knowing that eventually I will be able to advance my career and hold out for that next step not knowing when or if it will come...and continue to struggle financially as well as have a really bad commute....

I am very conflicted. We have two kids in daycare and the extra money that this job would bring would really help with that along with paying down some of our debt as well as give me more time with my children because of the shorter commute....

Thanks ladies!

madhatter2003 · May 2011

I see nothing wrong with a lateral move that puts you in a better company/position to eventually move up...especially if it comes with more pay. If you were looking at a pay cut to take it, no way...but the benefits of better commute and more pay make a lateral move appeal to me.

jf198400 · May 2011

I would take a demotion and a pay cut to get such a better commute (mine is also over an hour each way). This is a no brainer to me.

krbell22 · May 2011

There are often times where a lateral (or sometimes backward) move will help you move upward more quickly. I took a lateral position within my company which required me to relocate and I only got a very small increase. While technically, it was lateral, the exposure I gained from working at a HQ location was invaluable. I was recently promoted, which I don't think would have happened without the lateral move to gain more experience.

In your case, you'll get back over an hour a day and a pay increase? Go for it!

MBandBud · May 2011

DrHanksBride:

company is larger and has more opportunity and supports internal advancement (where my current company does not)

This would seal the deal for me! To me making this move, while you see it as lateral, IS an advancement in placement and opportunity. Given all the other benefits, I say go for it! It can never hurt until you have a job offer on the table as well. GL and keep us posted!

DrHanksBride · May 2011

Thank you ladies! I really appreciate your outside perspectives. I don't know why I am so conflicted...the benefits really do out weigh the negatives in this case. I guess I just didn't see myself in this position for as long as I have been in it...I thought I would "move up" more quickly. However, I have two little boys to think about more then my desire to move up the corporate ladder. Thanks again!

shannm · May 2011

I would go for the new job.

katydid2007 · May 2011

sounds like a no-brainer. Take the new job. Congrats.

vmm0016 · May 2011

Take the new job!

aocain02@yahoo.com · May 2011

I don't see an issue with taking a lateral move, even if there was a paycut if I had a better commute. I've been atbmy job 7 years now and I'd love to be closer to home and my commute is only 30 minutes.

BeachBum73 · May 2011

I'd take it - a better quality of life is almost like a promotion and you'd get a salary increase on top of that! Since you're going to a larger company with better advancement potential, it probably isn't exactly a lateral move and you'll probably move up quickly.

michelcreek · May 2011

As long as the company is secure, I'd move. Why be unhappy when you don't have to, there are no negatives. You can still take the next step at the new company, or another one. If you're ready for the next step, they'll want you to move up, it benefits them too. I've heard of managers saying they hire their replacements, not literally but meaning they hire people they sees growing into the next position. GL!!

michelcreek · May 2011

As long as the company is secure, I'd move. Why be unhappy when you don't have to, there are no negatives. You can still take the next step at the new company, or another one. If you're ready for the next step, they'll want you to move up, it benefits them too. I've heard of managers saying they hire their replacements, not literally but meaning they hire people they see growing into the next position. GL!!

SweetPTater · May 2011

I would take the new job. Even if it is a lateral move, you're still going to get a better quality of living out of the deal. And it's possible that the new company could present some new opportunities down the road as well.

This especially:

We have two kids in daycare and the extra money that this job would bring would really help with that along with paying down some of our debt as well as give me more time with my children because of the shorter commute....

makes it a no-brainer to me.

duchess0727 · May 2011

I did the same thing for a job close to home with good flexibility and opportunity to move within the company. I'm still on the lookout for the step up but in the meantime, it's a good place for me to be in general (not perfect, but what job is). I didn't even get a pay raise to come here so if it included a pay raise and shorter commute, it would be a no brainer. Take it!