Internal Promotions vs Lateral Moves

Developers should understand internal promotions as part of career growth strategies, especially in tech companies where skill advancement is critical meets developers should consider lateral moves when seeking to expand their skill set beyond their current specialization, such as moving from backend to frontend development or from engineering to product management. Here's our take.

Internal Promotions

Nice Pick

Developers should understand internal promotions as part of career growth strategies, especially in tech companies where skill advancement is critical

Pros

• This is relevant when seeking promotions within their current organization, preparing for leadership roles, or managing teams where internal mobility is prioritized
• Related to: performance-management, succession-planning

Cons

• Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case

Lateral Moves

Developers should consider lateral moves when seeking to expand their skill set beyond their current specialization, such as moving from backend to frontend development or from engineering to product management

Pros

• This is particularly useful for adapting to evolving tech trends, increasing job satisfaction through varied challenges, and building a more versatile resume that enhances long-term career resilience and opportunities
• Related to: career-development, skill-diversification

Cons

• Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case

The Verdict

Use Internal Promotions if: You want this is relevant when seeking promotions within their current organization, preparing for leadership roles, or managing teams where internal mobility is prioritized and can live with specific tradeoffs depend on your use case.

Use Lateral Moves if: You prioritize this is particularly useful for adapting to evolving tech trends, increasing job satisfaction through varied challenges, and building a more versatile resume that enhances long-term career resilience and opportunities over what Internal Promotions offers.

The Bottom Line

Internal Promotions wins

Developers should understand internal promotions as part of career growth strategies, especially in tech companies where skill advancement is critical