The 5 Stages of Career Growth

In this article we will talk about the different stages of career growth and tips on how to succeed in each stage. Ask yourself: Where am I in this point in my career?

The importance of career stages

Are you looking to advance your career? If so, you're not alone. A recent study by LinkedIn found that "career growth" was the number one priority for professionals worldwide. But what exactly does career growth entail, and how can you achieve it?

You've probably heard the saying that "life is a journey, not a destination." Well, the same holds true for your career. There are different stages of career growth, and each one presents its own set of challenges and opportunities. If you want to succeed in your career, it's important to understand what these stages are and how to thrive in them.

Career stages are like the phases of life, each one more important than the last. Some require ambition and promote growth while others offer stability in order to encourage rest when you need it most - but all these vicissitudes can help you grow as professionals.

Here, we will discuss the five stages of career growth and give you tips on how to succeed in each stage. Let’s get started! Read on - your future self will thank you!

Here are five of the common career stages, along with some tips for how to succeed at each one.

Exploration stage

When you're first starting your career, it can be difficult to know what steps are right for taking 99% of the time, your choices might be influenced by your background and personality such as parents, teachers, and friends. As your job hunt commences, your efforts will typically include: discovering interests, creating expectations, and developing basic skills.

Do not give up. This stage requires a lot of effort and perseverance. Explore many different career paths through internships, volunteering, shadowing, and even part-time work. Talk to your teachers and counselors about the courses and training required for careers that interest you. Use your college career center to make connections with employers.

Once you land a job, as a follower, you are action-oriented and task-focused as you carry out what others tell you to do. In other words, leading is out of the picture at this time.

Soon you will begin to work closely with other team members. You are now a collaborator. Congratulations! It’s your turn to support the workplace efficiency and help your team achieve goals. At this stage, you will start to develop your people skills.

Establishment stage

During this stage, you will learn more about yourself and your career. You may also experience anxiety in entering the workforce for the first time as well as misconceptions from previous assumptions that were made on what shift work would be like or dealing with many new situations/people throughout each day's schedule at once. However, this stage also brings excitement for a new phase in your life and anticipation of the future. Exciting times!

Your main focus at this stage are as follows: gaining acceptance from your peers, being a valued team member, learning the ropes of your job, and developing/improving your skills.

Of course, nothing’s perfect, you can experience your first professional wins and setbacks. It is important to stay positive when faced with challenging feedback as this will enormously help ensure your success in the future and be diligent about skill development. At the end of the day, we learn from our mistakes, and we have to keep going.

Consider enhancing your skills by attending workshops and continuing education courses. Look for a mentor in your profession you can ask for guidance and advice. Your performance reviews matter, use this to your advantage. Read more about giving and receiving feedback at work here. Also, consider pursuing certifications/licenses in your chosen industry.

Middle career stage

This stage may be characterised by either career advancement and stability or moving into a new profession/venture or field. Majority of employees in this stage reach their peak levels of productivity and maintain a skill set specific to their role. A period when they feel relatively secure in their career. These years will demonstrate your commitment to your work and solidify your position. The chances of receiving bigger career responsibility, rewards, and recognition is present by remaining dedicated to your current job.

You will likely expect progress at your job, such as a promotion or pay increase. If this does not happen, you may opt to reassess your role. In this stage, you may consider reassessing your goals, skills, and interests. Whether you are faced with the choice between achieving greater success in your current role or transitioning to a new position or an entirely new career, the decision is an important one. So carefully think about it.

Additionally, it can be difficult to maintain a work-life balance during this stage. You may find yourself succeeding in your professional life while devoting time to family and activities outside of office hours. A lot is changing as you become more seasoned professionally but there are still certain aspects which don't necessarily change like spending quality moments with friends or loved ones.

To help you make the right decision, talk to your supervisor/manager about opportunities for growth and forward movement. You may choose to apply for internal positions that provide new greater challenges and responsibilities. Also, take the time to evaluate your job satisfaction. Check job boards for open positions in other companies or have a chat with your peers if they could recommend something that may align better with your career aspirations.

Late career stage

Let’s presume that you progressed through the middle career stage successfully, the late-career stage can be an opportunity for a less demanding work environment. The late-stage employee can teach someone younger and begin identifying and training a successor, rather than learning new skills.

You may have fewer opportunities for advancement because at this stage you are focusing on your retirement or maybe starting your own business, but you can enjoy tasks like mentoring younger employees. You will likely not have any job changes during this stage, relying on your reputation and good standing as security for your position.

At this stage you might want to consider developing interests outside of work, such as gardening, cooking, or cycling – pursue your hobbies, it’s never too late. Try joining an association or a club, like a civic group or an alumni association. Speak to the company’s human resources department about your retirement and speak to a financial advisor to help you prepare and detail your retirement goals. Consider offering your expertise through a mentorship program, writing a book, or speaking at a conference.

Decline stage

After finishing a solid career and several decades in the workforce, many people are ready to retire in their mid-60s.

After retirement, you may choose to enjoy the break from working by spending more time with family and friends and traveling. You can channel your skills and knowledge into reviving past hobbies, developing new interests or volunteering.

But of course, not all situations are the same, the biggest factor will depend on your financial situation, lifestyle and energy level. You might still consider finding other ways to make money, such as offering freelance consultations, working part-time, or maybe looking for another full-time job (why not if you still have the energy, go for it!).

At any rate, it is important to continue socialising by meeting your family and friends regularly. Communication is key. You may choose to share your knowledge through teaching at a community center. Most importantly, stay sharp by engaging your mind with activities such as lifelong learning opportunities, painting, writing, or solving puzzles.

Each stage of your career journey will come with different challenges and opportunities. By understanding the five stages of career growth, you can better map out what you need to do in order to reach your professional goals. If you’re looking for more advice on how to succeed in each stage or want help planning your next steps, our team is here to help. Book a consult with us today and let us show you how we can support your career development!