Key Questions to See if a Move Up is Good for You — or For Your Company  

Have you been “tapped on the shoulder” to transition to a new position because the staff believes your talents will be helpful elsewhere within the organization?  Or because they believe the new role would expand your skillset to make you a more well-rounded and effective leader?

When you get this type of news, you are no doubt excited about the opportunity, because this means leaders in your company have finally recognized your skills, and are actively investing in your future.  However, there may be one slight catch: the role is in a different department or division that is foreign to you, and it’s not in your specialty area, or what you went to school for. At this point, your excitement may  turn into apprehension, because the move will take you completely out of your comfort zone, and would be an indefinite “stretch assignment.” What do you do?

5 Smart Strategies to Weigh Your Options

Many thoughts are probably going through your head, because you want to seriously consider this new opportunity, especially if leaders see something in you that you don’t see in yourself yet – and of course,  you don’t want to jeopardize anything preventing you from moving up the corporate ladder more swiftly.

But on the other hand, you love your current role because it encompasses what you studied in school, plus you love the work, your team, and your boss. (Yes, you even love your boss!) You don’t want to walk away from this great situation, but sometimes it seems smart to take a break temporarily from what you love to advance to greater career heights.  The question is, for how long, and at what cost?

If you have found yourself in this situation or know someone who has, it is wise to think about you specifically before you make a decision. Think about the “P.L.A.N.T.” concept (explained below) – i.e. where you want to “plant yourself” for your next career move, in the way that grants you the most joy.

Your organization always has an agenda because they are a business; they have a need, and it’s their goal to shop around for talent to get their business needs met. However, you, too, have a career agenda, and have control over your career path and where it takes you. Therefore, consider these five things if you are ever approached about this tough decision:

Ponder the overall outcome. Really think about the overall impact to your career if you accept the position. Will it progress you or derail you from your ultimate dream role? Will it really strengthen you with those skills that best align with your professional growth to get you closer to your dream role — or closer to the company’s business agenda? The important point here is to keep your professional goals top of mind.

Listen to your gut! At times, it is your single, best indicator when you are prompted with a challenging decision. So when you received the news, what was your first reaction? Was it happiness or doubt? Could you immediately see the advantages, or did they have to “sell” you on them? These are just a few key points for you to pay attention to, as you make your decision.

Ask a trusted friend or experienced colleague in your organization who was approached with the same opportunity on what they did in the situation, and why. By hearing their story, it may give you a new and different perspective to help you filter through your thoughts as you come to a decision. And it gives you the opportunity to connect with someone to help you work through all the emotions you may be feeling. In business, people often forget that we are humans first, and there are emotions connected to major career decisions!

Negotiate your own terms. Be pointed, and ask “Why they are selecting me?” Also consider these points: What are the short-term and long-term advantages if you accept the new position or assignment? Are you guaranteed a shot at a more senior role as a result of this move? Are there any immediate rewards for transitioning? If your organization is bold enough to ask you to leave your current role, you should certainly be bold enough to ask these game-changing questions since your future is at stake.

Think about the “what-ifs.” What if you don’t like the position after several months? Under what conditions are you able to return to your previous role, if at all possible? And, the most important question of all: what if you get stuck and stay longer than originally projected due to a change in leadership, or a shift within the organization that changes the outcome of the originally established terms. If that’s the scenario, would you be happy in that new department for a long period of time? (With the constant leadership shifts occurring within organizations today, this is a very valid question for you consider!) And the same people who advocated for you to transition to enhance your career may not be with the organization to help you move to your next position.

Once you do get going on figuring out the scenario in front of you, it’s wise to take a day or so to speak with friends or colleagues, perhaps “journal” on the topic to sort out your thoughts, and see if you need to ask any further questions of the staff members who extended the offer to you.  Above all, use the tips above to help you get started as you decide where you will “P.L.A.N.T.” yourself as you make your next career move.