These Personality Traits Are Predictors Of Greater Career Success And Satisfaction

As it turns out, our personalities matter a lot when it comes to our careers, especially in regards to both our success and satisfaction experienced on the job.

In psychology, personality differences are often described according to the Big Five Personality model that breaks personality into five main categories: Openness, Conscientiousness, Extroversion, Agreeableness, and Neuroticism. Each of these Big Five Personality traits are thought to be present in individuals to varying degrees.

A 2001 study published in the Journal of Vocational Behavior used the Big Five Personality model to see how personality played a role in career satisfaction and success. The researchers found that employees who scored high in extroversion were happier with their salaries, promotions, and overall career satisfaction. Employees who scored high in neuroticism, on the other hand, experienced less career satisfaction than their extroverted counterparts.

However, personality is not static and can change and evolve over time (just like we do). In fact, a 2020 study out of the University Of Houston looked at personality changes during young adulthood and how these shifts impacted early career success in positive ways. The study saw that young adults who developed their conscientiousness, emotional stability and extroversion saw greater career success and satisfaction.

For anyone who is just starting their careers, or for those maybe even a few years in, this research is encouraging because it shows you can always grow and improve, and that these personal developments can lead to amazing success, so long as you put in the work.