The career ladder metaphor doesn’t quite fit today’s workplace. As it turns out, career success isn’t always a straight climb upward. Sometimes the best career moves are sideways.

As a career development coordinator, I’ve found that durable, transferable skills are the true markers of success. While a lateral move may not come with a bigger title or immediate bump in pay, it can broaden one’s perspective, strengthen adaptability and build a collection of experiences that enhances the value an employee brings to their organization.

Here is a framework to help you make your next lateral move a deliberate step toward your long-term career goals.

Define Your Core Values

Your journey toward career advancement starts with introspection. Write down your core values (e.g., continuous learning, work-life balance). If you’re hopping from job to job but remain unfulfilled, that’s a sign that the role may be violating one of your core values.

Explore Job Descriptions

Review descriptions for roles that interest you, even if you don’t intend to apply right away. This step helps you learn in-demand skills that align your career path with your core values. Check out O*NET OnLine for detailed job descriptions.

Evaluate Your Skills and Close Gaps

Once you’ve found a job description that interests you, list the hard and soft skills the role requires. Evaluate your proficiency, identify skill gaps and create a SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, time-bound) learning and development plan.

Redefining Success

Titles don’t solely define success. By broadening your skillset and building relationships at every step in your journey, you may discover that lateral mobility isn’t a detour, but a deliberate choice.