We're always told we should be moving UP the career ladder - but have you ever considered a sideways move?

Horizontal career moves can be just as beneficial to your career as vertical ones, and they're becoming more common. A sideways move is essentially where you move into a role adjacent to yours, as the term suggests.

Real estate recruiter Virginia Brookes of Resolver Recruitment says in some cases, focusing your job search on making a horizontal career move can be better than only focusing on roles that are beyond your reach.

Here are just a few reasons why making a horizontal career move might just be the smartest move you'll ever make.

You develop a wider range of skills

Ms Brookes says that by working in different roles in an organisation, you develop a wider breadth of skills that will expand your professional knowledge.

"It will make you more flexible, adaptable to change, and more respected as an industry all-rounder," she told WILLIAMS MEDIA.

Make your next career move at RECON Jobs.

"For example, a sales agent who has tried their hand at property management is bound to have a better business understanding and acumen when wishing to step out and open their own agency than one who has never expressed interest in other, equally important, sides of the business!"

You develop your network within the industry

Ms Brookes says there's no better way to build your professional network than by meeting new people within your new workplace.

Find your next real estate job at RECON Jobs.

"Working with different people will undoubtedly expand your connections in the industry, leading to long-term career and professional development. After all, succeeding in business is all about connections and who you know!"

You expand your industry knowledge

By working across different areas of the workplace, you expand your industry knowledge and develop resilience to change both within the workplace and in the industry as a whole.

"You will also be able to bring innovation and new ideas to a workplace where you are familiar with several aspects of the business and therefore able to more holistically bring new ideas to the table," Ms Brookes said.

Visit RECON Jobs.

Related reading:

Does traditional recruitment have a place in the real estate industry?

How to work with a recruiter to land a job in real estate

How to retain top real estate talent, according to two leading agencies