Here's my answer....If u guys are gonna use this answer in ur notes, do let me know before u print it...
This question appears in almost all the papers...This answer is more than enough for 5 marks....In case, it comes for 10 marks, do include a diagram.
***CAREER STAGES***
A career is all the jobs that are held during one's working life. Edwin B. Flippo defined a career as a sequence of separate but related work activities that provides order, continuity and meaning in a person’s life. Douglas T. Hall defined a career as “an individually perceived sequence of attitudes and behaviors associated with work related experiences and activities over the span of the person’s life.”
Life and Career Stages
Human resource managers must understand the issues that individuals face throughout their careers. A study of career development theories, life development theories and interrelationship among career stages and life stages will provide an understanding of the issues that the individuals face. Career and life stages are closely related as both are linked to age and cultural norms.
Career Stages
Careers can be analyzed based on the career stages. There are five career stages through which must of us go through or will go through. These stages include: exploration, establishment, mid-career, late career and decline.
Exploration
It is a career stage that usually ends in ones mid twenties as one makes the transition from college to work. This stage has the least relevance from the organizational point of view as it happens prior to employment.
Establishment
It is a career stage in which one begins to search for work. It includes getting one’s first job. It takes many years of search for a right job. The problems of this stage include making mistakes, learning from those mistakes and assuming increased responsibilities.
Mid Career Stage
This stage is marked by a continuous improvement in performance, leveling off in performance or the start of deterioration in performance. Remaining productive at work is a major challenge of career at this stage. Some employees reach their goals at the early stage and go on to even greater heights. These employees are “climbers”. Maintenance is another possible outcome. These employees have plateaued and not failed. These employees are technically competent and no longer as ambitious as the climbers.
Late Career
A career stage in which one is no longer learning about his or her job. He is also not expected to try and outdo his/her levels of performance from previous years. This stage is usually a pleasant stage. The employee enjoys playing a part of the elder statesperson. The employee can rest on his laurels and gain the respect of younger employees.
Decline Stage
This is the final stage of ones career, usually marked by retirement. It is a hard stage for those who have achievements in their earlier stages. After decades of continuous success and achievements, one has to retire from the service.