Is Your Next Career Move Inside Your Current Role or Not?

Kim Martin
2 min readMay 22, 2024

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Are you currently looking for ways to boost your career? If so, there are a few things you might want to consider to unlock your full potential for growth, advancement, compensation, and fulfillment in your professional journey.

First off, have you considered exploring opportunities inside and outside your company? What I mean by this is weighing the pros and cons of staying at your current company while also considering the benefits of looking for roles elsewhere, and what that could do to further your goals. Doing this exercise offers a range of benefits that could help you take your career to the next level.

Take a closer look at the benefits of staying with one employer, you have the advantage of familiarity as you are already accustomed to your company’s goals, culture, and processes. You can also build relationships with colleagues and mentors, creating new career opportunities and supporting your future career growth. Staying with the same employer often promises more job security and stability, especially during uncertain times. Does your company provide training and development programs to help you acquire new skills and advance your career? Updating your skill set is a requirement for anyone looking to boost their career, and I have also made it a priority in my career journey, but sometimes that isn’t enough. From my own experience, I once looked for new opportunities that utilized my skills within my company and made a lateral move to a different department. It turned out to be the best career move I ever made!

On the other hand, venturing into different organizations can broaden your horizons and expose you to new and diverse viewpoints, approaches, and challenges. You may also find opportunities for higher salaries, bonuses, and benefits. Moving to a new company can help you build new skills, expand your professional toolkit, and adapt to different work environments. Plus, external moves can often accelerate your career trajectory, offering faster promotions and advancement opportunities. Considering external opportunities allows you to pursue roles that align more closely with your personal goals, such as moving to a new city or embracing remote work. I have been fortunate to receive promotions, increased compensation when accepting roles at an outside company, and gained more flexibility in negotiating perks and benefits like additional vacation time or a hybrid work schedule.

Overall, exploring internal and external career opportunities could be the key to unlocking your full potential. So, why not take some time to consider your options and see where your career journey could take you next?

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Kim Martin

A thought leader in the areas of executive leadership, change management, and women in the C-suite.