Over the last year, there has been no shortage of new career trends: From the great stay to revenge quitting, employees are rethinking their careers, their relationship to their employers, and redefining what success looks like as we potentially head into a recession. The latest trend: the glass elevator. Just like in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, the glass elevator can take you in any direction in your career. “We are seeing a new glass elevator trend in the workplace, where more people are opting for horizontal job moves at their current employer instead of seeking a different role at a new company,” shares Jennifer Roberts, AVP of talent and organizational development, AT&T. “This glass elevator takes you not just up and down but sideways and, in any direction, people looking for growth and new career possibilities are moving to other disciplines or organizations.”  Roberts shares that she has seen many of their employees switch careers every 3 to 4 years to gain new experience, without having to leave the company. In fact, she says that at AT&T, they saw 12,800 lateral moves in 2024. She and other leaders expect to see more job-function crossover in the years to come. So, should you get on the glass elevator or not? Are you better off making a horizontal move or taking that set of stairs towards your next promotion? Here’s three things to consider before you decide to get on this elevator: Will this help with your job security?Layoffs are continuing only a few months into 2025. A number of companies either cut jobs already this year or have more layoffs planned. And for many organizations, a potential recession plus the inflation rate will force leaders to make tough calls when it comes to their workforce this year. They won’t just be eliminating roles that are no longer needed, but may also need to let go of individuals in order to survive as a company. If you are concerned about stability in your current role and notice that your projects are no longer a priority for the company, it’s time to get your resumé ready. And consider both internal and external opportunities. This might be a moment to look at a horizontal move: to go and take an assignment in a part of the organization that’s growing, and where they need more talent to scale their efforts. You can look at internal openings, and you can also make connections and meet leaders overseeing new initiatives where they may need your skillset. Or they like your background and experiences and are willing to invest in upskilling you. A horizontal move in this case can help you with job security and also help you gain new experience and continue to grow in your career. Will you have training and support to take on this assignment?Before stepping on the glass elevator and accepting a horizontal move, be sure to ask if you will have the support to be successful in this role. Here are questions to consider before taking on this move: How long will this assignment be for?Gain an understanding of how long you are expected to be in this role. Things may change in the organization, and knowing how long leadership expects you to be in this role can help you mentally prepare for this commitment. Will my prior role be backfilled?Ensure your manager and leadership is aligned to your moving to this new assignment. Don’t put yourself in a position where you are required to do your old job and your new job for an extended period of time. You and the team won’t be set up for success. What does success in the role look like?Review the job description with your future manager. Also ask what success looks like for them. What will they have hoped you would have accomplished a year from now? Are there KPIs/goals/metrics they can share? Will you have access to training and on-boarding? Are there mentors you will be paired with who can help you learn how this team works and how to get your job done? Reflecting on these questions and getting some of the answers will help you determine if this is the right next move for you. What’s next after this ride on the glass elevator? One of the best pieces of career advice my father ever gave me was this: Every assignment is a stepping stone to what you are meant to do next. And sometimes, I was so busy getting that next assignment, that next promotion, that next big initiative, I didn’t stop to think about what happens after it ends. I never asked myself or others what I should plan to do next; I wish I had been more proactive, instead of reactive, in my career. If you are going to get on the glass elevator, and take a horizontal job, make sure to ask the question: What comes after this? It’s important to discuss this with your network at work before committing to this new assignment. Talk to your current manager, former managers, the person who may be your future manager on this assignment, and trusted colleagues and mentors at work. Get their advice and perspective, particularly if they have taken on a horizontal assignment in their career. Once you finish this assignment, what would you do next? Would you go back to your former division, or take on another assignment on this team? What does the path to promotion look like after taking on an assignment like this? How does this make you more or less marketable internally as a candidate for roles? The glass elevator may or not not be the right next career move for you. And in this current market, it’s important to explore all options, particularly if you want to stay and try to grow in your current company. So whether you take the stairs or get on the glass elevator, make sure you ask the right questions so you can make the best decisions, both in the short term and long term, for your career.