These days, career paths can operate in completely different ways than before. Many people now think that the “career lattice” has replaced — or at least become as common as — the traditional career ladder. The career lattice allows for sideways, backward and diagonal movement within a career, whereas a ladder only offers one trajectory: up.
For professionals just entering the workforce, it can be difficult to know which career pathway to follow. To gain further insight, we asked 10 members of Forbes Human Resources Council to share their advice for professionals eager to advance their careers in this changing atmosphere.
1. Gain Understanding Of Multiple Disciplines
While promotion is still a desired word and result, for professionals who want to advance their careers, gaining an understanding of multiple disciplines with broad, lateral moves is important perspective and experience to gain to move up. Many higher-level executives are successful in part because they are not single-threaded, but instead, have a breath of experience to draw upon for decision-making. - Victoria Garoukian, DentaQuest
2. Be Adaptable, Listen To People's Needs
The standard path to leadership roles within human resources has gone the way of the dinosaur. I have done everything from sales to project management. What I learned in each role was the power of being adaptable and listening to the needs of people. These positions allowed me to develop a deeper understanding of positions, which has helped equip me to lead a human resources division. - Ralph Kellogg, Centris Federal Credit Union
3. Slow Down To Go Faster
Most C-level executives will tell you they sometimes changed lanes, or took lower level roles, in order to accelerate their experience and their career. Companies look for leaders who understand business issues from a variety of different perspectives. You prepare yourself for broader responsibilities, and bigger opportunities you may not have imagined, by climbing the career lattice. - Jennifer Marszalek, Havas Chicago Village
4. Welcome Lateral Moves To Learn New Areas Of Business
If the career lattice has not replaced the career ladder, it should. While the career ladder supports a clear hierarchy in which communication flows from the top down, the career lattice allows communication to flow in every direction and fosters a more collaborative environment. Employees who want to advance their careers should welcome lateral moves in order to learn other areas of the business. - John Feldmann, Insperity
5. Focus On Building Capabilities
Career growth can come in the form of lateral, vertical or diagonal moves in an organization. A lattice approach to career development builds an expanded skill set and broadens an employee's understanding of the overall business. Focus on building capabilities and you will grow into your desired job, accelerate your career growth and potential, and become highly marketable in the process. - Suzanne Hyatt, Hyatt Human Capital Solutions
6. Embrace The Journey
The idea of there being one direction for growth is becoming an outdated one, as values, both personal and professional, change and technology allow for people to get involved in different job responsibilities from different locations. Rather than be attached to particular work titles, people looking for growth should be clear-sighted about their skill sets and passions, the true ROI indicators. - Angela Nguyen, Ad Exchange Group
7. Acquire Cross-Functional Expertise
You could be an expert in one field by putting several hours into that skill set, or you could get exposure to different functions within a company. The latter gives you more chances to take on a management or leadership role as you understand the business from different perspectives, while the former makes you an industry adviser or a fellow in that particular area. Both have merits. - Abhijeet Narvekar, The FerVID Group
8. Leverage Skills To Find Out What You're Good At
The career lattice is about leveraging skills that are shared across different kinds of positions. It frees people up to find what most fulfills them, and what they’re good at. I don’t think we’re replacing the ladder yet, but enough innovative companies meaningfully look at the whole person, not just a vertical ascension from “grunt” to CEO. Learn to advocate for you, and for what you love to do. - Nicole Smartt Serres, Star Staffing
9. Use Career Lattices To Drive Innovation
Career lattices can be an effective way to drive innovation in a company and are well on the way to replacing career ladders. To advance in a lattice organization, employees must communicate with current and future managers to make sure expectations are clear. A fearless attitude helps to charge boldly into new areas, and smart transition plans serve as support to address crucial skill gaps. - Michael Nicholson, PhD, Precision BioSciences, Inc.
10. Remember The Lattice Is Essential To Climb The Ladder
To obtain a senior leadership role, you need a breadth of skills. You will need to go sideways sometimes to get the skills you need. But sideways doesn't mean backward. Look for companies and roles that allow you to use the skills you have while gaining new experience. Also, make sure you are getting a salary that is commensurate to the wider skill set you offer. - Karla Reffold, BeecherMadden
