We all deserve better growth that suits our career goals and satisfaction. At times, it’s possible to feel devastated with your current job, giving you an idea to develop a new character in your firm or even out of it.

Regardless of circumstances, you might make a lateral move, maybe for the benefits of your career, to expand your professional network, pursue promotion especially when you see a lot of opportunities.

Lateral career move is when a person leaves their current job for a new profession of a similar title, position or pay grades. This may happen in your current company in a different department or in a new company.

According to Liza Uwimbabazi, an administrator, when one is considering making a lateral career move, they first need to look up a company’s policies on that.

"Sit with your company manager and tell him or her about your idea of lateral movement so that they can help you decide how best you go on with your decision,” Uwimbabazi says. 

Some companies may not support this kind of movement or if they do, they may have specific programs that facilitate this kind of transfer, Uwimbazazi says, giving an example that it might require some new papers from you, such as recommendations or even a higher degree, depending on the company’s policy. 

Peter Nasimue, a finance officer at Kisa Ltd adds that, jumping into a lateral career move without doing in-depth research is a recipe for failure. 

"Grass is always greener on the other side. Evaluate your reasons for moving and discuss them with your current manager,” Nasimue says.

He believes that having reliable information about the new desired role, speaking to people who are currently doing that role and asking if you can engage in their meetings to take notes and ask questions that give you more hints will help you prepare well for your new position.

"Show some interest in the new role that you want to pursue by engaging with different people currently in that role, participate in their meetings, take notes and ask questions,” Nasimue says.

 He goes on to say that preparing for an interview also may help because you are likely to face an administrative panel when considering lateral movements even with your current firm.

"Prepare yourself well for an interview, highlight your relevant skills, convey why you are a good fit and ask relevant questions that demonstrate your interest in the role. It will give you a chance to win the position because you already work in the company,” Nasimue says.

Plan, set goals and decide exactly what needs to stay and what changes you would like to see in a specific time of your set, says Brian Nahimana, an employee.

He advises to support yourself with detailed information before you proceed to the next step.

Although lateral career move has nothing to deal with work promotion, it is not a step backward and it might be the right decision for you to open new opportunities for better growth.