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Question: I’ve been with the same company for several years now. I started as a co-ordinator and I still am. Instead of being promoted, I’ve made four lateral moves and I now work in the department I’ve always wanted to be in. I like my manager, who’s super supportive and gives me plenty of opportunities to grow, learn and lead.
But as I near my 30s I realise my friends have left me behind in terms of promotions and pay rises and I fear I’ve been pigeonholed into being a co-ordinator for the rest of my life.
Should I leave my current job for an organisation that actually promotes from within even though I like my new role? Also, do you think I’m likely to break free of being a co-ordinator in my next role or have I messed up by making so many lateral moves?
Illustration: John Shakespeare Credit:
Answer: I asked Dr Wouter Vleugels from Deakin University about your dilemma. He’s an expert in the field of person-organisation and person-job fit. He told me it’s obvious from your question that this employment relationship is very positive.
“[It includes] job security, a trusting working relationship, lots of supervisory support, the opportunity to be challenged, and so on. For many people, especially in this COVID-19 era, these things aren’t necessarily a given.”
He said that while it is possible that what feels to you like pigeonholing could have a negative effect on your career, it’s by no means probable.
“Career stagnation and plateauing is unlikely for someone in their twenties who’s still at the beginning of their career,” he says.
“There can be a lot of value in making horizontal job transitions, especially for young professionals. [These moves] do not necessarily stand in the way of future career progression if you can show that [they] have resulted in personal development and growth – for example, a new skillset, exposure to different parts of the business, etcetera.”
So, in short, don’t worry too much about getting stuck in a rut. It sounds like you love your job and, while your job title might be starting to feel over-familiar, Dr Vleugels says it might be useful to keep in mind that the name is just one small part of a role.