Career Stages
Career Stages
What defines success?
Career theory suggests that individuals choose their careers and work environments that match their personal values. A mis-fit would negatively impact the individual’s satisfaction, commitment, longevity at work.
Values are desirable goals that help individuals satisfy their needs.
In times of uncertainty such as the recent pandemic or economic crisis, values become more important and critical to career choices and career self-management.
Different value systems result in different strategies to achieve career “success”. There are five value orientations impacting career stages (C. Brooklyn Derr, 1986): getting ahead, getting secure, getting high, getting free, and getting balanced.
Getting Ahead (Advancement)
People holding this value system want upward movement, they are looking to become CEOs, VPs, General Managers.
Success means more money, more power and steady promotions all the way to the top.
These individuals are ambitious, highly competitive, and know people at the top; they will move to another organization to advance their career.
They look for a clear path for advancement where they are recognized for their success and innovation with financial rewards, promotions, and increased status.
Getting Secure (Security)
People seeking security are a large segment of the workforce; they work hard, are loyal, and want long term employment, recognition, seniority and be part of the workplace community.
These individuals prefer a predictable work routine, order, stability. They look for work environments that provide secure employment, predictable paths of advancement, rewards loyalty and conformity.
Getting High (Challenge)
People seeking challenge thrive on excitement, challenge, and the technical and content nature of their work; they are driven to learn new concepts, refine their skills, be challenged by work.
To these individuals financial reward and lifelong employment are secondary. They will work for any employer who offers exciting opportunities, project-oriented environments, and often start-up companies.
Getting Free (Freedom)
People who value freedom want autonomy and “space” even if they are not promoted. They don’t mind deadlines and standards, but want to do the work in their own way.
Typically, these individuals don’t like to be managed, they are constantly thinking of new ways to keep the business ahead, some become entrepreneurs. They are not frightened or resistant in the face of change, they thrive on challenges.
They enjoy working in loosely structured organizations, where they are valued for their specialist knowledge and can complete their projects with flexibility.
Getting Balanced (Balance)
People seeking balance give equal importance to careers, relationships, family and self-development. They work hard during emergencies but in general their life is more than just work. They want meaningful work to balance their personal life.
These individuals are loyal employees, willing to invest in their career if they can adjust their schedule regularly (child-care, flexible schedule, remote work)
Questions for you?
What value (achievement, security, freedom, challenge, balance) defines “success” for you?
How has your value systems impacted your career movement?
Have your values stayed the same over time?
In general, value systems are stable but life happens and at different stages they can change over time.
Changes in the world of work affect progress through the four stages of career movement. Organizations are no managing your career, you have to.
Progress through the stages is affected by gender, class, race, values and whether your talents and interests match the organizational needs.
When your job is a good fit to your talents and interests, you may stay even if you are not promoted.
When your job is not a good fit, your ability to contribute does not get fully utilized; you and the organization are not happy.
The best career match is when your talents (what you do best) and your passions (what you like to do) are aligned with the needs of your employer. That is when you are most productive, valued and will have the most career achievements. In order to get hired, you must differentiate yourself, identify where you can contribute the most and provide examples of past accomplishments and ideas that meet the employer’s needs.
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If you need help evaluating your career movement, please contact me. We can work together. Let’s get started!
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