In today’s fast-changing world, career success isn’t just about climbing the ladder—it’s about how quickly and effectively you can adapt to change. Vertical growth is just one potential trajectory. Horizontal and diagonal transitions offer opportunities to develop new skills, access global markets, and explore other industries. This article will guide you in identifying your current position, defining your Point B, and creating a roadmap to reach it.

 

3 Career Growth Paths

 

Vertical Growth

This is the classic trajectory of moving up the career ladder within a single profession. It focuses on deepening expertise and building leadership skills.

Example:
Developer → Lead Developer → Team Lead → Engineering Manager

Horizontal Growth

Horizontal growth involves transitioning into new roles or gaining additional competencies within your field. It enhances your skill set and increases your market value.

Example:
Manual QA → QA Automation → SDET (Software Development Engineer in Test)

Diagonal Growth

Diagonal growth is a challenging but rewarding path that involves transitioning to a different industry or radically changing direction. It might include entering new markets or entirely different fields.

Examples:

• From IT Recruiter to Pharmaceutical Recruiter.
• From managing construction projects to managing IT projects.
• From a local logistics company to the global logistics market.
• From passenger transport to freight transport.

 

How to Choose Your Path

When considering a career shift, evaluate these three key factors:

• Role: Do you want to keep your current function or take on a new one?
• Industry: Are you interested in exploring a different sector?
• Location: Would you consider moving to a new city or country?

Note: Making changes in multiple categories simultaneously can be complex and requires preparation.

 

What Is a Career Audit and Why Do You Need It?

 

A career audit is a self-assessment tool that helps you:

• Identify gaps in your skills and knowledge.
• Determine the steps needed to transition to a new role.
• Develop a roadmap for achieving your goals.

Example: If you want to transition into IT, a career audit might reveal the need to develop programming skills or learn project management basics.

 

How to Reach Your Point B Faster

 

Set Ambitious Yet Achievable Goals
Choose objectives that challenge you slightly beyond your comfort zone but remain realistic.

Focus on Measurable Results
For instance, aim to “earn a Google certification” or “complete a basic Python course.”

Plan Your Growth
Break your larger goal into smaller milestones to track progress effectively.

Key Tip: Experience only becomes valuable when you reflect on it. Regular self-reflection helps identify what worked well and what could be improved.

 

OKR Methodology as a Career Planning Tool

 

OKR (Objectives and Key Results) is a goal-setting framework that helps structure your objectives and tie them to specific outcomes. It’s widely used by organizations and individuals for growth.

Benefits of OKR:

• Encourages ambitious goal-setting.
• Defines key results to measure progress.
• Keeps focus on priorities.

Example:
Objective: Become a recognized expert in recruiting.

• Key Result 1: Earn LinkedIn TOP Voice in Recruiting badge.
• Key Result 2: Speak at Värbamiskonverents.
• Key Result 3: Sell 100 seats for the LinkedIn Method course.

 

Showcase Your Achievements

 

Your accomplishments shouldn’t go unnoticed. Ensure they’re reflected in your LinkedIn profile or other professional platforms.

Steps to Take:

• Define your goal.
• Work toward achieving it.
• Document your results in your profile.
• Share your success with the world.

Let your professional brand grow alongside your achievements!

Building a successful career isn’t just about moving up—it’s a multi-faceted strategy involving self-assessment, planning, and execution. Start by answering one key question: Where is your Point B? Then, take deliberate steps toward it, one milestone at a time.

 

Julia Jolkin 👠👠

Top IT Recruiter & LinkedIn Expert

 

Feel free to contact me if you need:

• A review of your LinkedIn profile to understand how potential employers, partners, or clients perceive it. This will help you quickly find a job or confidently promote your services at any time. Sign up for the upcoming LinkedIn Makeover session.

• A career consultation to revise your career path and skills, especially if you haven’t been to an interview in a while and want to prepare thoroughly.