Career Wise

Question: How can one move up the ladder without getting into management?

For the longest time, the management career track was really the only way to move up within a company Nowadays, there is another choice. It is a career development plan that allows upward mobility without requiring a move into a supervisory or managerial role.

The dual career ladder is a set of nonsupervisory roles in a job series that receives higher pay than traditional nonsupervisory jobs because they require the performance of a higher level of more complex duties. The roles would require advanced technical abilities and specialized skills. Some of the roles within insurance companies include referral underwriting managers, underwriting home office specialists, complex claim specialists, home office loss control specialists with expertise in ergonomics, industrial hygiene or property

The dual career ladder is a talent management tool that has been adopted by several companies within our industry. It provides another route for advancement for employees that show exceptional technical skills and/or education above and beyond the norm.

In order for this program to be successful, several criteria must be taken into consideration: The program must be well-managed; during the job evaluation process, skills such as technical expertise, decision-making ability and innovation should be weighed; and job descriptions for each career level should be developed and include the steps to get to the next level. Also, ensure internal equity between management and employees in the program.

The employees who does not wish to manage can continue to build tenure, keeping turnover lower. They also provide a valuable service to the company, both in a cost-effective way as well as an intrinsic way, by providing an example for the next generation.

Todd Mitchell is president and chief executive officer of Todd Mitchell Associates, New Hyde Park, KY, an executive search firm within the property/ casualty industry. He can be reached at todd.mitchell@ toddmitchell.com.