There are lots of advantages to pursuing a non-linear career path. In addition to cultivating greater flexibility and adaptability, non-traditional career paths may offer increased job satisfaction and a greater work-life balance. Navigating a career change is always difficult, but if you approach each new work position as a unique opportunity for growth, you’ll be sure to succeed. Whether you’re interested in pursuing a job with a Hybrid Remote Work Model or you’re simply looking to switch things up, adopting a non-linear approach to your career can make a huge difference.
What is a non-linear career path?
For some, a traditional or linear career path can feel stifling and boring. Monotonous even. Especially now that the average person has a much longer career than what used to be standard. A linear career path may be more predictable — and therefore offer more security — but a non-linear path offers more freedom to explore, change directions, and pursue work you’re genuinely passionate about.
It’s important to note that a non-linear career path is not the same thing as “job hopping.” While a non-linear career may appear aimless to a random observer, it should be thoughtful and strategic. The key is to follow your curiosity and strengths! View career transitions as opportunities to grow, network, and acquire new skills. In the long run, this will help you become an innovative worker with a plethora of transferable skills.
A non-linear career path, or nontraditional career path, means that there is no one right way to progress through your career. In other words, you don’t need to be promoted within a single company in order to be successful. For some, working towards the title “supervisor,” then “general manager,” then “regional manager” is a rewarding career path. But this isn’t the case for everyone!
For some, a traditional or linear career path can feel stifling and boring. Monotonous even. Especially now that the average person has a much longer career than what used to be standard. A linear career path may be more predictable — and therefore offer more security — but a non-linear path offers more freedom to explore, change directions, and pursue work you’re genuinely passionate about.
It’s important to note that a non-linear career path is not the same thing as “job hopping.” While a non-linear career may appear aimless to a random observer, it should be thoughtful and strategic. The key is to follow your curiosity and strengths! View career transitions as opportunities to grow, network, and acquire new skills. In the long run, this will help you become an innovative worker with a plethora of transferable skills.
Advantages of pursuing a non-linear career path
The primary advantage to a non-linear career is that you are able to develop a diverse skill set while broadening your perspectives. The richness of your varied experience will make you an innovative and adaptable worker — one that is sure to find lots of professional opportunities in the future!
Diverse skill set
By acquiring a diverse skill set, you’ll be able to offer companies fresh perspectives and insights. You’ll also be able to take on a wide variety of tasks and roles, allowing you to fulfill multiple needs within an organization. This agility will ultimately make you more employable. It will also help youstand out from other job candidates — something that is sure to come in handy!
Increased networking opportunities
Pursuing a non-linear career means interacting with a wide range of people across multiple industries. This means that you’ll have increased networking opportunities. And everyone knows that networking is the key to a successful career! In addition to gaining diverse perspectives and valuable insights, you may be offered opportunities that you didn’t even know existed.
For more information on the importance of networking, check out our article, Networking Strategies: A Step-by-Step Guide to Success.
Increased job satisfaction
People with linear career paths often stay at the same company throughout the course of their career. But what if it turns out that that company isn’t a great fit? What if you don’t share the same values or priorities with management? Or what if you just really dislike your coworkers? Finding a fulfilling career means finding a culture-fit workplace where you share the same values and goals as the people you work with and for.
Greater work-life balance
Non-traditional career paths offer greater flexibility, which often leads to greater work-life balance. This means that if you suddenly need to move, take on a caretaking role, or prioritize something other than work, you can! And what’s more, your career isn’t over. It’s just shifted a bit. Achieving a healthy work-life balance means having a more flexible attitude towards work. For people with non-linear careers, navigating career transitions doesn’t mean giving up. Rather, it’s an exciting time full of promise for the future!
How to best approach a non-linear career path
Knowing how to change careers can feel overwhelming, regardless of how adventurous you may feel. Thankfully, there are a few tips that can help! The best way to approach a non-linear career is to keep an open mind, be willing to take risks, and engage in life-long learning.
Keep an open mind
Having a non-linear career means keeping an open mind. After all, each new job promises to be a unique learning experience! Non-linear careers offer less predictability than traditional careers. That means that in order to get the most out of your non-linear career, you need to be willing to think outside the box. There is no one right way to progress throughout the course of a non-linear career. This means that you will have a lot of options to choose from! In order to help you find more clarity, check out our article, Too Many Job Offers? Here’s How to Pick The Right One.
Be willing to take risks
Navigating career transitions takes courage. That’s why you need to be willing to take risks. While you do not want to act recklessly by following your every whim, stepping out of your comfort zone and trying new things is key. Again, you want to be thoughtful and strategic when planning your next career move. Pursue opportunities that will train you in a new skill or give you a new perspective within an industry.
Engage in lifelong learning
Pursuing a non-linear career requires a commitment to life-long learning. Periodically changing roles and industries requires flexibility and a genuine desire to learn and adapt. For some, a non-linear career path may mean going back to school. For others, it may mean attending workshops, conferences, and earning professional certificates. Even if you don’t need to engage in formal learning, non-linear careers require you to be attentive, eager to try new things, and willing to learn from others.
What is skills-based hiring?
Skills-based hiring is when companies are less interested in your formal credentials than they are in your hard and soft job skills. Rather than focus on where you went to school and what companies you worked for previously, they want to know if you have what it takes to get the job done. This offers workers greater flexibility. The result? People with non-linear careers are thriving in today’s job market!
For more insight on soft job skills, check out our article, Why Are Soft Skills Important in the Workplace?.
The reason why non-linear career paths are the future is because companies are moving towards skills-based hiring practices. This leads us to the question: What is skills-based hiring?
Skills-based hiring is when companies are less interested in your formal credentials than they are in your hard and soft job skills. Rather than focus on where you went to school and what companies you worked for previously, they want to know if you have what it takes to get the job done. This offers workers greater flexibility. The result? People with non-linear careers are thriving in today’s job market!
For more insight on soft job skills, check out our article, Why Are Soft Skills Important in the Workplace?.
Key takeaways and moving forward
It’s no secret that industries change. Sometimes rapidly. This means that workers have less security in their current work roles. As new technologies develop, certain job roles become obsolete, while new roles take their place. Industries are not static, so neither should be your career! Non-linear careers foster innovation, agility, and creative problem-solving. Not only are these traits valuable to your employers, but they will also ensure that you have what it takes to remain relevant and successful in your career.
