The relation between career decision-making strategies and person–job fit: A study of job changers

Abstract

This study examined relations between three career decision-making strategies (rational, intuitive, and dependent) and person–job fit among 361 professionals who had recently changed jobs. We found that the relation between each decision-making strategy and fit was contingent upon the concurrent use of other strategies. A rational strategy related more strongly to fit when individuals also engaged in extensive intuitive decision making than when they engaged in limited intuitive decision making. In addition, a dependent strategy related negatively to fit only in the absence of extensive rational or intuitive strategies. Moreover, self-awareness and awareness of the environment mediated relations between career decision-making strategies and person–job fit. The implications of these findings for future research on career decision making were discussed.