The Contribution of Personality Factors to Career Success in some Organizations

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between the 'Big Five' personality dimensions and career success by surveying a sample of 285 employees in a diverse set of occupations and organizations. Hierarchical regression analyses were used to examine the incremental variance contributed by the five personality traits after controlling for several career-related variables. Results showed that, as expected, extroversion was related positively to career satisfaction and that neuroticism was related negatively to salary level, promotions, job satisfaction, life satisfaction and career satisfaction. However, some results differed from expectations: conscientiousness and agreeableness were mostly unrelated to extrinsic and intrinsic career success. Examination of moderators revealed that there were no significant relationships between agreeableness and extrinsic and intrinsic career success among individuals in people-oriented occupations. Moreover, occupation type did not moderate the relationships between extroversion and extrinsic and intrinsic career success.