You must take the responsibility for managing your career. If you expect others to give you jobs, raises, and promotions, they may never come your way. Before planning your career, you must consider your career stage. As people get older, they have different career stage needs.
The 20s is the time when you are just getting started. The challenge is to prove that you have what it takes to get the job done well—and on time. You must develop the job skills needed to do the present job and to prepare for advancement. Initiative is needed. You may need to work long, hard hours to get ahead.
The 30s is the time when people develop expertise. In their 30s people often question their careers: Where am I going? Should I be here? Am I secure in my position? People feel trapped by financial demands and are frightened of changing careers even when they are not happy, because a change in career often requires a cut in pay to start at a lower position.
By age 45, most people have weathered a failure or two and know whether or not they have a shot at advancement. In the past, people at this stage would settle into a secure job. However, many organizations have cut back. People in their 40s and 50s are sometimes forced to seek new employers or new careers.
In their 60s and 70s people begin to prepare for retirement, or may transition to part-time work. They can pass along what they have learned and provide continuity. People at this stage make good role models and mentors.
