Summary:

The Apply stage is characterized by taking your skills and knowledge to a relevant industry, company, or institution. This job, in most cases, is just the beginning of your lifetime career. You may already have your career plan, but this stage helps you test, stretch, and confirm that you are on the right path. Embrace your strengths and your weaknesses, understanding that both are important as you develop your career.

This is a critical time for you to develop your professional network, your industry, and professional knowledge, and begin building relationships with your customers and key stakeholders. This stage may offer you the greatest challenge in how you manage your career pace. How fast or slow do you go in continuing to build your career? There may be a scenic route or an expressway; you can choose. Hopefully, this stage will allow you to pay off your career debt and focus on future investments.