Career success: The importance of networking, personality and skills development

Career success is a multifaceted concept, encompassing various factors that contribute to an individual's professional growth and achievement. It is defined as positive work and psychological experiences in the different jobs that make up your career (Ng, Eby, Sorensen & Feldman, 2005). It can be defined both subjectively, viewed as your own satisfaction with your job or career overall, and objectively, looking at various job-related outcomes or measures of success.

Objective, or extrinsic, success includes measures of success that can be evaluated by others or by your organisation (Ng, Eby, Sorensen & Feldman, 2005). Examples of this type of success include salary level, promotions, managerial level, and pay raises (Nabi, 1999). On the other hand, subjective, or intrinsic, success is measured by your own evaluations of your career success. This includes judgements of career and general life satisfaction, job satisfaction, and job performance when evaluated against your own personal standards and other factors, such as age (Nabi, 1999; Yang & Chau, 2016).

Factors that contribute to career success

While educational qualifications and job skills are essential components, other factors like networking play a key role in determining your success in the modern job market.

Networking is defined as the process of creating and nurturing professional relationships and is a crucial factor in career success. It involves connecting with colleagues, mentors, industry peers, and even acquaintances who can provide guidance, opportunities, and support. Networking refers to your connections with supervisors and mentors, but also to more informal social groups, and this type of informal networking is important for both subjective and objective career success as it provides opportunities for mobility as well as emotional and psychological support (Koekemoer, 2014; Nabi, 1999).

Another key factor in subjective career success is knowledge sharing and skills development (Koekemoer, 2014; Ng, Eby, Sorensen & Feldman, 2005). Skills development is closely linked to organisational factors as it often relies on the organisation to be one which promotes knowledge sharing and training opportunities. Therefore, access to these opportunities is another important predictive factor in career success (Ng, Eby, Sorensen & Feldman, 2005). Continuous learning is essential and, where possible, finding an organisation that understands and meets this need is vital for your job and career satisfaction.

The role of personality

Personality traits, while often overlooked, have a profound influence on career success. Researchers have identified various personality traits that can contribute to a person's professional achievements. Personality traits contribute differently to both subjective and objective career success, and while personality is a difficult thing to change, the role of personality in contributing to career success should not be ignored.

For example, a proactive personality refers to an employee who takes an active role in their career rather than simply reacting passively (Yang & Chau, 2016). This means that proactive employees seek out and create opportunities for themselves and influence their own careers. A proactive personality has been linked to objective success through increased salary attainment and more promotions, as well as to subjective career satisfaction (Rode, Arthaud-Day, Mooney, Near & Baldwin, 2008). Having a proactive approach has also been found to facilitate better interactions with supervisors, where proactive employees more readily seek out, and act on, opportunities to interact and form better relationships (Yang & Chau, 2016). As such, a proactive personality may also help with networking and building social connections. It is therefore essential to, as far as possible, take a proactive approach to your career in the modern job market.

The "Big Five” personality traits and career success

A well-researched factor in the career success literature is the role of the ‘Big Five’ personality traits: extroversion, agreeableness, openness to experience, conscientiousness, and emotional stability. Research has shown that each of these traits contributes differently to subjective and objective career success.

Conscientiousness involves being organised, detail-oriented, and goal-driven. Individuals high in conscientiousness tend to excel in their careers because they are diligent, reliable, and focused on accomplishing tasks efficiently. Conscientiousness is associated with both subjective and objective career success (Hussein, 2017).

People who are open to new experiences tend to be more adaptable and creative in their work. They are more likely to embrace innovation and explore new ideas but may be less easily satisfied with financial reward (Hussein, 2017). As such, openness to experience is associated with objective but not subjective success. High emotional stability allows individuals to understand and manage their own emotions as well as the emotions of others. This trait is particularly valuable in leadership roles and interpersonal interactions, contributing to networking possibilities.

Agreeableness and extroversion both contribute to effective interpersonal relationships. Individuals who are agreeable and extroverted tend to collaborate well with colleagues and build strong professional networks, which can lead to career opportunities. Extroverts are generally motivated and assertive, and often perform in leadership positions (Hussein, 2017). However, while extroversion is consistently shown to be predictive of career success, agreeableness has been found to be negatively related to career success. This may be because being too agreeable may allow others to take advantage (Ng, Eby, Sorensen & Feldman, 2005).

Personality is quite stable and difficult to change, so these personality factors may be less practical than other factors. However, as personality is such an important predictor of career success, it is crucial to try to incorporate these traits into your career interactions as much as possible. Additionally, all these factors are interconnected; for example personality traits shape networking abilities, and networking activities influence the development of personality traits. Therefore, individuals aspiring to achieve career success should recognise the value of networking, skills development, and cultivating positive personality traits as essential components of their professional journey.

Practical factors

Here are seven practical attributes and skills that you can develop to enhance your career success:

1. Adaptability: Being adaptable and open to change is crucial in today's fast-paced work environment. Individuals who can quickly learn and adjust to new technologies, industries, or job roles are more likely to succeed in their careers.

2. Resilience: Resilience is the ability to bounce back from setbacks and maintain a positive attitude in the face of challenges. Resilient individuals are better equipped to handle stress, overcome obstacles, and stay motivated in their careers.

3. Effective Communication: Strong communication skills are essential for building relationships, resolving conflicts, and conveying ideas effectively. Effective communicators can collaborate more efficiently, which can lead to career advancement.

4. Networking: Building a strong professional network can open doors to new opportunities. Networking involves connecting with colleagues, mentors, industry peers, and potential employers. Attend industry events, join professional organisations, and use social media platforms to expand your network.

5. Continuous Learning: In today's knowledge-based economy, continuous learning is crucial. Invest in skill development through formal education, workshops, online courses, or on-the-job training. Staying up-to-date with industry trends and advancements can give you a competitive edge.

6. Leadership Skills: Even if you're not in a managerial role, leadership skills are valuable. Being able to take initiative, lead projects, and inspire others can set you apart from your peers. Leadership skills are often recognised and rewarded in the workplace.

7. Emotional Intelligence: Emotional intelligence (EQ) is the ability to understand and manage your own emotions and those of others. High-EQ individuals are better at building rapport, resolving conflicts, and navigating workplace dynamics, all of which are vital for career success.

Remember that these factors are interconnected, and cultivating them can have a cumulative effect on your career success. Additionally, career success is a highly individualised concept, so it's essential to align your efforts with your personal and professional goals.

References

Hussein, A. (2017). Examination of personality traits as predictors of career success. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 7(10), 556-566.

Koekemoer, E. (2014). An explorative study on factors influencing the career success of management employees. SA Journal of Industrial Psychology, 40(2), 1-10.

Nabi, G. R. (1999). An investigation into the differential profile of predictors of objective and subjective career success. Career development international, 4(4), 212-225.

Ng, T. W., Eby, L. T., Sorensen, K. L., & Feldman, D. C. (2005). Predictors of objective and subjective career success: A meta‐analysis. Personnel psychology, 58(2), 367-408.

Rode, J. C., Arthaud‐Day, M. L., Mooney, C. H., Near, J. P., & Baldwin, T. T. (2008). Ability and personality predictors of salary, perceived job success, and perceived career success in the initial career stage. International journal of selection and assessment, 16(3), 292-299.

Yang, F., & Chau, R. (2016). Proactive personality and career success. Journal of Managerial Psychology, 31(2), 467-482.