Definition of success:
Accumulated positive work and psychological outcomes resulting from one’s work experiences (Seibert & Kraimer, 2001).
Two distinct ways of viewing career success:
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Objective: “External perspective that delineates more or less tangible indicators of an individual’s career situation” (Van Maanen, 1977; Mulhall, 2011).
- Subjective: “A person’s internal apprehension and evaluation of his/her career, across any dimensions that’s important to that individual" (Van Maanen, 1977; Mulhall, 2011).
Characteristics of Career Success
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High IQ
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Emotional Intelligence
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Ambition
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Integrity
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Likable personality
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Reliability
- Hard worker
Measures of Objective Career Success
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Level of occupation
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Mobility
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Task attributes
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Income
- Job level
Measures of Subjective Career Success
A person’s reaction to actual and anticipated career-related attainments, across a wide variety of outcomes, for example job satisfaction and career satisfaction.
Further reading
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Chamorro-Premuzik, T. (2012). The unspoken truth about career success: Suck up and keep your boss happy. Destined to perform? That depends on your boss. Retrieved from http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/mr-personality/201203/the-unspoken-truth-about-career-success-suck-and-keep-your-boss-happy
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Ganzach, Y. (2012). Intelligence is a more accurate predictor of future career success than socioeconomic background. Retrieved from http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/ 2012/03/120329142035.htm
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Goleman, D. (n.d.). The emotional intelligent workplace: EI versus IQ as a predictor of workplace performance. Retrieved from http://www.sq.4mg.com/GolemanEI-IQ.htm
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Mulhall, S. (2011). CSI: Career success investigation. Irish Journal of Management, 67-94.
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Sloan, V. (n.d.) Career success: People skills and ambition. Retrieved from http://www.sq.4mg.com/SuccessSQ-EI.htm
- Thomas, W.H.N.G., Eby, L.T., Sorenson, K.L. & Feldman, D.C. (2005). Predictors of objective and subjective career success: A meta-analysis. Personnel Psychology, 58, 367-408.