As the economy slows and everyone prepares to tighten their belts, you can still shoot for your dream job.  If you are ready to make a change, now may be the best time to consider a lateral move to a different position that has virtually the same title and salary, but which offers benefits that will help your career. 

Reasons to make a lateral move:  

• You specialize in a skill that is transferable and you want to move into another industry.
• You want to move to a larger organization.
• You see more future upward mobility at the new company.
• You notice that your current company is top heavy and you want more room at the top somewhere else.
• You want to take over a responsibility in which you have only dabbled.
• You want to switch from corporate headquarters to the field, or vice versa.
• You want to change from corporate to agency, or vice versa.
• You want to relocate or must because your spouse is relocating.  

Even during tough economic times, you should pay attention to your professional development.  A strategic lateral move can open many doors for your career in the short and long term.