Sometimes you have to take a step back in order to take a step forward in your career. There are a number of practical reasons why taking a lower-level position makes sense. Here are a few...
Career Changers
A large percentage of professionals making a career change will face the need to start near the beginning with entry-level jobs. If you make a drastic career change, such as going from ER nursing to accounting on the CPA track, you can't expect to jump straight to the top until you have honed your skills and built subject matter expertise.
However, if you have transferable skills—such as leadership, problem-solving, or data analysis—they may help you secure a role above entry level. Additionally, networking, certifications, and relevant coursework can demonstrate your commitment and accelerate your path forward. Being open to contract, freelance, or internship opportunities can also provide valuable experience and help bridge the gap to your new career.
Field Of Practice Changers
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There are many people who choose to stay in their profession but make a change in their field of practice. For example, you may have started your career in marketing for the travel industry but decided to switch to the pharmaceutical industry.
A lateral move may not always be possible because, like the career changer, you may not have the industry knowledge needed in the field, especially if it is a highly specialized sector. For instance, the technical language used to market pharmaceuticals in the United States follows strict guidelines approved by the Food and Drug Administration. The approaches taken to marketing may be drastically different between the two fields.
Job Changers
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Job changers include individuals who want to make a switch in the type of company or organization they work for. Certainly, working for a non-profit is not the same as working for corporate, and going from an agency to an in-house position has its differences. So while you may take a lower-level position, the title and associated responsibilities may vary widely between employers—and it is important to consider the experiences and opportunities available with the open position.
For instance, you may go from an agency to an in-house position at a lower level. Expectations for formal promotions also may vary, given the different corporate cultures involved. Essentially, you may start in what is perceived as a lower-level position but wind up with far more advanced experiences than you might otherwise have.
The (Extended) Unemployed Candidate
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Times of economic uncertainty typically result in a large pool of unemployed professionals who are well-educated and qualified for positions. Under such circumstances, it's not rare for job seekers to be unemployed for six months or longer. There are simply more qualified candidates than job openings available. So, it may come to a point where you have to make the decision to take a lower-level position in order to:
- Bring home a paycheck to pay for essentials.
- Maintain your marketability (after such an extended period of unemployment, it may be a greater setback to remain unemployed—your marketability withers with time away from the market).
- Help secure a better job opportunity down the road (employers typically favor candidates who are already employed).
Regardless of the situation, here are four key questions you should ask yourself to help decide whether taking a lower-level position is the right move for you and your career:
- Does this type of job fit into my long-term career goals? Essentially, will it get me where I want to be down the road?
- After taking this position and settling in, if I go back on the job hunting track, will I be able to communicate to a potential employer how the experience has helped me grow and evolve to be prepared for this next position?
- Do I believe I can excel in the position and create realistic opportunities to advance within the company?
- Will I be happier in the position? Most people spend much of their life working, so it is important to be happy with what you do. Be wary of how dissatisfaction with a job can quickly lead to burnout.
If you answered "yes" to the questions above and can put your ego aside, making the decision to take a lower-level position can be a rational move to help move your career forward. You can expect to be happier with life and your career. However, after taking a lower-level position, you need to maintain perspective on your reasons for the decision. It is easy to let pride get in the way of things. Remember, this decision is based on a long-term plan, not a short-term plan for your career.
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