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I will never forget taking a $5K pay cut to leave one professional position for another. I was miserable in my job, so I put the word out to every, single person I knew that I was on the hunt. (That was quite a task given my brand of “putting the word out” predates email!). The message got to the right person who had just the vacancy I desperately wanted to fill. An interview, a relocation and a pay cut later, I landed in the position that changed both my career trajectory and personal life for the better.

I will also never forget the added bonus of judgement from those who asked then frowned upon learning my decision to leave my job was not made for the purpose of making more money elsewhere. I know: GASP! I was even told by a family member, “You never take less at a new job.” You can guess this person was sorely disappointed to learn a few years later that I made a lateral move to change jobs rather than climb the ladder. He did the math: four years into my professional career, I was behind where I started. But, my math added up to job and personal satisfaction.

I was told I went backward as though that was a negative. But, to me, the only factors I saw were positive. Sometimes, it’s the right thing to do. To see if this applies to where you are in your career and job search, check out Alex Honeysett’s advice from, “3 Times Going Backward in Your Career Is Actually the Best Way Forward.” She outlines that taking that unexpected step “backward” is worth investigating when:

“You want to start over.” When switching from one position to another with entirely different skill sets, expect you will start at a lower, if not entry, level. Most positions have others to which you can aspire. Get your foot in the door, and observe what it takes to get promoted if that is the goal. Honeysett notes, “… if you’re doing something you really love, and you’re making the kind of contribution that gets you excited to get out of bed every morning, the big money and fancy title truly won’t matter as much to you as it once did.”

“You’re switching industries.” When looking to make a switch, comparing industries is not an apples-to-applies proposition. Hours, duties and availability of resources can all vary among them. A comparison is not as appropriate in this kind of switch as much as is a thorough investigation of what you pursue regardless of what you leave. Honeysett states, “I recommend you are very clear with yourself on what matters to you. What kind of job satisfaction is this career likely to offer? How much of a salary cut are you willing to take to pursue it?” She also advises you be up front about your current salary as well as what you hope to earn. But, understand and be ready to discover that a switch of industries likely translates into the impossibility of matching your current salary.

“You Don’t Care About Climbing the Career Ladder.” Not everyone wants to get to the top because not everyone wants to do the job up there. There are pros and cons to every career step, up or down, and careful scrutiny of what is involved either direction is prudent. From the work hours required to travel to specific job duties, consider every aspect required of any position you accept. Look at it in terms of the impact it will have on your life as a whole. Ignore public opinion about what a certain level of position means if it means nothing to you.

The bottom line is there is no singular, “right” way to progress through a career track. Opportunities present themselves, circumstances change and interests evolve. Many of these changes are unexpected but completely worth investigating or being acted upon! Be clear about your goals without comparing them to anyone else, and target the right job for you.

“3 Times Going Backward in Your Career Is Actually the Best Way Forward.” The Muse. Daily Muse Inc. 2016. Web. (18 June 2016)

Nancy Stoker is a Senior Client Services Representative and Research Associate with ExecSearches.com. ExecSearches provides various recruitment and executive search services for nonprofits including its nonprofit job board.

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