The Five-Factor Model of Personality and Career Success

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between the “Big Five” personality dimensions (neuroticism, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and openness) and career success by surveying a sample of 496 (318 male and 178 female) 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, extraversion was related positively to salary level, promotions, and career satisfaction and that neuroticism was related negatively to career satisfaction. Agreeableness was related negatively only to career satisfaction and openness was related negatively to salary level. Examination of moderators revealed that there was a significant negative relationship between agreeableness and salary among individuals in people-oriented occupations but no relationship for those in occupations not involving a strong “people” component.