The career process happens in stages; each step forms a foundation for the next one to build upon.

(Job hunting before you’re clear about what job you want is a good example of putting the cart before the horse.)

To make the best use of your time and to work with this process, you need to identify your own stage of career transition and focus your efforts accordingly.

Which career stage are you in?

The Stages: How the Career Process Really Works

Career Management

You are in a career that feels vital and satisfying. Now you want to stay on track, advance, fine-tune your balance, and hone your leadership skills.

Reevaluation

Are you dissatisfied and considering a change but don’t see any sure alternatives? Do you feel trapped? Do you feel caught between wanting more and trying not to lose what you have? Knowing something has to shift is the first step.

Renewal

Seeking a new vision for the future? Renewal is an active, inner-directed process requiring more than basic information about your skills. Through renewal you delve into deep learning and fundamental growth to recover your enthusiasm and sense of purpose. Renewal does not always mean a new career or job, but career and life are always recreated to allow room and expression for a more whole, alive self.

Self-Assessment

You are ready to explore what you want and what you have to give—your interests, values, style and strengths. This can be a mini-renewal process itself or one aspect of a deeper renewal. A minor change in career path may not require renewal, but successful change at every degree begins with a return to the questions "Who am I?" and "What do I want now?" Clarity is your goal at this stage.

Exploration

You’re in the first stages of focusing your job search. With increased self knowledge as a compass, you are ready to identify promising options and begin a process of researching what you need to know to find the best fit—careers, markets, industries, and specific organizations.

Marketing

You know what you want but aren’t sure how to find it. This step involves the nitty-gritty tools of the creative job search—the "How." This process can be natural and enjoyable (even fun) if the stages preceding it have been completed successfully.