The Lateral Move: Up, Over, or Out?  

Q: I have been a junior product manager for 18 months and have been receiving very good reviews. However, my boss just suggested that I apply for an opening as an assistant buyer in purchasing. The job is at the same salary level. Now I’m worried. Is she trying to get rid of me, or is she just crazy?

A:  Trying to figure out why your boss has suggested that you apply for a job in another department without getting any additional information will drive you crazy.

First, you will have to do a little internal reflection. This starts with the reviews that you received. Are you absolutely certain that they have been superior reviews?  Reading between the lines now, can you see that, perhaps, your boss has made some suggestions of where you need to improve or areas that you’ve glossed over or sloughed off?

That’s not to say that your boss is using these “areas of improvement” as a reason to get rid of you. However, as you approach your boss, you’ll need the benefit of discernment to hear if the suggested move is one to “broaden your horizons” or to “fill in some holes” in your experience and abilities.

Let’s assume that a careful re-reading of the appraisals confirms that they were, indeed, very positive. Now, you can operate on the assumption that your boss is thinking further ahead than you are and sees a position that might be the next right move for you.

Your boss has a bigger view of things, including ways to make your career successful. One of the signs of a good manager is her interest in developing the people who report to her. That means seeing her direct reports’ potential and their ability to contribute, and then finding ways for those individuals to become even more valuable to the company.

Also keep in mind that your boss will know about future openings before you will. Managers also talk to each other, often inquiring about good people who would be appropriate for a job. It may be that your boss and the manager in purchasing have had a conversation like this about you.

At this point, go back to your boss and ask for more information. You might say something such as: “I’d be interested in considering this position in purchasing because I want to learn more about the company. Can you tell me why you think this is a good opportunity for me?” This will open up a conversation with your boss about the new opportunity, and you will have an open mind and an upbeat attitude instead of a defensive one.

Your boss could have any number of reasons for recommending the position to you. There could be a problem in purchasing that needs to be solved and you’re just the kind of person the department needs. Purchasing may need to work more closely with suppliers to your organization so that marketing programs can be implemented more effectively, which fits well with your experience. Or it may be that your boss wants you to learn more about various operations in the company in order to broaden your perspective.

In addition, there may not be any product manager openings ahead in the foreseeable future, and your boss would rather see you leave the department rather than risk losing a valuable young employee like you to another organization.

The benefit for you in pursuing a job in a different department is expanding your perspective and your expertise. Anything you can learn that is multi-functional—such as going from marketing or sales to a more broadly defined operations area—will make you more attractive for opportunities that will come up in the future.

If your boss’ explanation is anything along these lines then, yes, you should seriously consider applying for the purchasing job and presenting yourself in the best way, even if there is not an increase in salary today—because there will be the potential for a bigger increase later once you’ve demonstrated your value.