Career Trajectory:
Career Trajectory Meaning
A career trajectory refers to the path or progression an individual follows throughout their professional life. It includes the sequence of jobs, roles, and experiences that contribute to their personal and professional growth. This concept encompasses both upward (vertical) and lateral (horizontal) movements in a career, as well as periods of stagnation or even setbacks.
Key Aspects of Career Trajectory
Vertical Trajectory:
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Represents upward mobility, such as promotions or moving into roles with greater responsibilities, higher pay, or leadership opportunities.
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Often associated with climbing the “career ladder” within a specific field or industry.
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Horizontal Trajectory:
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- Involves lateral moves, such as switching to a similar role in a different organization or industry.
- May also include staying in the same position for an extended period to develop new skills or gain expertise.
Nonlinear Progression:
A career trajectory might include backward steps (e.g., taking a lower-level role to acquire new skills), plateaus, or changes in direction based on evolving goals and interests.
Why Identifying Your Trajectory Matters
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It provides a framework for individuals to plan their professional growth and align their roles with long-term goals.
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Understanding one’s career trajectory helps identify opportunities for advancement, skill development, and personal fulfillment.
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Employers may also use this concept to support employee development and succession planning.
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In essence, a career trajectory is not just about achieving higher positions but also about navigating one’s professional journey in a way that aligns with personal aspirations and values.
How to Shape a Vertical Career Trajectory
The act of crafting a personal brand prior to starting a job search can actually shape your career trajectory. This is important because identifying your career path will help you plan what types of work situations will best fit your current goals.
Meaning, that as you analyze your true passion, what you represent or want to represent, and how you want to make a difference in the industry, you will have a better idea of the types of positions or companies you should apply to.
It may even motivate you to go in a completely different direction with your career.
In today’s podcast, we speak with Amber Victor about the steps everyone should take to either create or fine-tune their personal brand before beginning a job search. We dig into the inner work needed to identify your career goals. And once you have clarified your goals, we discuss how to revise your resume and LinkedIn profile to better represent your objectives. And importantly, we give insight as to how to leverage your network to move forward with your new path.
All to help you to fine-tune your vertical career trajectory.
Listen to Secrets of a CRA Recruiter on Your Favorite Channel!