Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Career Adaptability, Employability, and Career Resilience in Managing Transitions

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Psychology of Career Adaptability, Employability and Resilience

Abstract

School-to-work transitions, in the sense of being processes that take place over a period of time and which involve both personal meaning and social issues (e.g. contextual factors), are what mark the starting point of this chapter. This chapter is essentially divided into three blocks, although the three follow the same structure. The first block is shaped around career adaptability, offering an overview of the concept and its historical perspective. The second block deals with employability. The most common definitions of this construct are first presented, along with a brief historical contextualisation of its role in career studies, followed by a selective review of existing research into employability. The third and final block looks at resilience. By looking at the notion of a career as an action, rather than a structure, we characterise the concept of career resilience as pertaining to the overarching framework designed to understand the process of self-directed career management, particularly when viewed as one of the components of the multidimensional concept of career motivation. Conclusions draw this chapter to a close, summarising the most useful and important suggestions which have been presented.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Alniacik, U., Alniacik, E., Akçin, K., & Erat, S. (2012). Relationships between career motivation, affective commitment and job satisfaction. Procedia—Social and Behavioral Sciences, 58, 355–362. doi:10.1016/j.sbspro.2012.09.1011.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Arnold, J., & Jackson, C. (1997). The new career: Issues and challenges. British Journal of Guidance and Counselling, 25, 427–433.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Blustein, D., Connors-Kellgran, A., Olle, C., & Diamonti, A. (2017). Promising career and workforce development programs and services in supporting the needs of unemployed populations. In S. Solberg & S. Ali (Eds.), The handbook of career and workforce development: Research, practice and policy (pp. 97–123). Oxford: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bocciardi, F., Caputo, A., Fregoneze, C., Langher, V., & Sartori, R. (2017). Career adaptability as a strategic competence for career development: An exploratory study of its key predictors. European Journal for training and development, 41(1), 67–82. doi:10.1108/EJTD-07-2016-0049.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Briscoe, J. P., & Hall, D. T. (2006). The interplay of boundaryless and protean careers: Combinations and implications. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 69, 4–18. doi:10.1016/j.jvb.2005.09.002.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brown, P., Hesketh, A., & Williams, S. (2003). Employability in a knowledge-driven economy. Journal of Education and Work, 16, 107–126. doi:10.1080/1363908032000070648.

    Google Scholar 

  • Coetzee, M., Mogale, P. M., & Potgieter, I. L. (2015). Moderating role of affectivity in career resilience and career anchors. Journal of Psychology in Africa, 25, 438–447. doi:10.1080/14330237.2015.1101272.

    Google Scholar 

  • Collins, A., & Watts, A. G. (1996). The death and transfiguration of career—and of career guidance? British Journal of Guidance and Counselling, 24, 385–398. doi:10.1080/03069889608253023.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cordeiro, P. M., Paixão, M. P., Lens, W., Lacante, M., & Luyckx, K. (2015). Cognitive-motivational antecedents of career decision-making processes in Portuguese high school students: a longitudinal study. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 90, 145–153. doi: 10.1016/j.jvb.2015.08.005.

  • Creed, P. A., Hood, M., & Shi, H. (2017). Personal orientation as an antecedent to career stress and employability confidence: The intervening roles of career goal-performance discrepancy and career goal importance. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 99, 79–92. doi:10.1016/j.jvb.2016.12.007.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • De Cuyper, N., Van Der Heijden, B. I. J. M., & De Witte, H. (2011). Associations between perceived employability, employee well-being, and its contribution to organisational success: A matter of psychological contracts? The International Journal of Human Resource Management, 22, 1486–1503. doi:10.1080/09585192.2011.561962.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • De Vos, A., De Hauw, S., & Van Der Heijden, B. I. (2011). Competency development and career success: The mediating role of employability. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 79, 438–447. doi:10.1016/j.jvb.2011.05.010.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Del Corso, J., Rehfuss, M., & Galvin, K. (2011). Striving to adapt: Addressing Adler’s work task in the 21st century. The Journal of Individual Psychology, 67, 88–106.

    Google Scholar 

  • Duarte, M. E. (2005). Assessment and “The Global Research Village”: Adapting psychological instruments. International Journal for Educational and Vocational Guidance, 5, 163–173. doi:10.1007/s10775-005-8797-y.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Duarte, M. E. (2009). The psychology of life construction. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 75(3), 259–266. doi:10.1016/j.jvb.2009.06.009.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Duarte, M. E. (2015). Some reflections on guidance and career counseling in the 21st century. In A. DiFabio & J -L. Bernaud (Eds.), The construction of the identity in 21st century (pp. 59–72). New York, NY: Nova Science Publishers.

    Google Scholar 

  • Duarte, M. E., & Cardoso, P. (2015). The Life Designing paradigm: From practice to theory. In L. Nota & J. Rossier (Eds.), Handbook of Life Designing Paradigm: From theory to practice, from practice to theory (pp. 41–57). Boston, MA: Hogrefe Publishing.

    Google Scholar 

  • Duarte, M. E., & Rossier, J. (2008). Testing and assessment in an international context: cross-and multi-cultural issues. In J. Athanasou & R. Van Esbroeck (Eds.), International handbook of career guidance (pp. 489–510). New York, NY: Springer Science.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Duffy, R. (2010). Sense of control and career adaptability among undergraduate students. Journal of Career Assessment, 18, 1–11. doi:10.1177/1069072710374.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fergus, S., & Zimmerman, M. A. (2005). Adolescent resilience: A framework for understanding healthy development in the face of risk. Annual Review Public Health, 26, 399–419. doi:10.1146/annurev.publhealth.26.021304.144357.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Forrier, A., & Sels, L. (2003). The concept of employability: A complex mosaic. International Journal of Human Resources Development and Management, 3, 102–124. doi:10.1504/IJHRDM.2003.002414.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Forrier, A., Verbruggen, M., & De Cuyper, N. (2015). Integrating different notions of employability in a dynamic chain: The relationship between job transitions, movement capital and perceived employability. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 89, 56–64. doi:10.1016/j.jvb.2015.04.0070001-8791.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fouad, N., & Bynner, J. (2008). Work transitions. American Psychologist, 63, 241–251. doi:10.1037/0003-066X.63.4.241.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fourie, C., & van Vuuren, L. J. (1998). Defining and measuring career resilience. Journal of Industrial Psychology, 24, 52–59.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fugate, M. (2006). Employability. In J. Greenhaus & G. Callanan (Eds.), Encyclopedia of career development (Vol. 1, pp. 267–271). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fugate, M., Kinicki, A. J., & Ashforth, B. E. (2004). Employability: A psycho-social construct, its dimensions, and applications. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 65, 14–38. doi:10.1016/j.jvb.2003.10.005.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Galassi, J. P., & Akos, P. (2007). Strengths-Based School Counseling: Promoting student development and achievement. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.

    Google Scholar 

  • Grzeda, M. M., & Prince, J. B. (1997). Career motivation measures: a test of convergent and discriminant validity. The International Journal of Human Resource Management, 8, 172–196. doi:10.1080/09585199700000047.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hall, D. T. (2004). The protean career: A quarter-century journey. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 65, 1–13. doi:10.1016/j.jvb.2003.10.006.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hall, D. T., & Chandler, D. E. (2005). Psychological success: When the career is a calling. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 26, 155–176. doi:10.1002/job.30.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hall, D. T., & Mirvis, P. H. (1996). The new protean career: Psychological success and the path with a heart. In D. T. Hall & Associates (Ed.), The Career is Dead—Long Live the Career (pp. 15–45). San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass Publishers.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hillage, J., & Pollard, E. (1998). Employability: Developing a framework for policy analysis. Department for Education and Employment Research Report, RR85.

    Google Scholar 

  • Harvey, L. (2001). Defining and Measuring Employability. Quality in Higher Education, 7, 97–109. doi:10.1080/135383201200599.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hirschi, A. (2012). The career resources model: an integrative framework for career counsellors. British Journal of Guidance and Counselling, 40, 369–383. doi:10.1080/03069885.2012.700506.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hirschi, A., Herrmann, A., & Keller, A. (2015). Career adaptivity, adaptability, and adapting: a conceptual and empirical investigation. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 85, 1–10. doi:10.1016/j.jvb.2014.11.008.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jordan, J., & Heyde, M. (1979). Vocational maturity during the high school years. New York, NY: Teachers College Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kang, D., Gold, J., & King, D. (2012). Responses to job insecurity. The impact of discretionary extra-role and impression management behaviors and the moderating role of employability. Career Development International, 17, 314–332. doi:10.1108/13620431211255815.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kuijpers, M. A. C. T., & Scheerens, J. (2006). Career competencies for the modern career. Journal of Career Development, 32, 309–319.

    Google Scholar 

  • Koen, J., Klehe, U.-C., Van Vianen, A., Zikic, J., & Nauta, A. (2010). Job-search strategies and reemployment quality. The impact of career adaptability. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 77, 126–139. doi:10.1016/j.jvb.2010.02.004.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Leong, F., & Ott-Holland, C. (2014). Career adaptability: Theory and measurement. In D. Chan (Ed.), Individual adaptability to changes at work. New directions in research (pp. 95–113). New York, NY: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Leong, F., & Walsh, B. (2012). Guest editors’ introduction to the special issue. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 80, 659–660. doi:10.1016/j.jvb.2012.03.003.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lin, Y. (2015). Are you a protean talent? The influence of protean career attitude, learning-goal orientation and perceived internal and external employability. Career Development International, 20, 753–772. doi:10.1108/CDI-04-2015-0056.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liu, Y -C. (2003). Relationships between career resilience and career beliefs of employees in Taiwan. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, Texas A&M University, U.S.A.

    Google Scholar 

  • London, M. (1983). Toward a theory of career motivation. The Academy of Management Review, 8, 620–630.

    Google Scholar 

  • London, M., & Bray, D. W. (1984). Measuring and developing young managers’ career motivation. Journal of Management Development, 3, 3–25. doi:10.5465/AMR.1983.4284664.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • London, M. (1993) Relationships between career motivation, empowerment and support for career development. Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology, 66, 55–69

    Google Scholar 

  • London, M., & Noe, R. A. (1997). London’s career motivation theory: An update on measurement and research. Journal of Career Assessment, 5, 61–80. doi:10.1177/106907279700500105.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Maree, J. (2010). Brief overview of the advancement of postmodern approaches to career counseling. Journal of Psychology in Africa, 20, 361–368. doi:10.1080/14330237.2010.10820387.

    Google Scholar 

  • Masten, A. S. (2001). Ordinary magic—resilience processes in development. American. Psychologist, 56, 227–238. doi: 10.1037/0003-066X.56.3.227.

  • Masten, A. S., Herbers, J. E., Cutuli, J. J., & Lafavor, T. L. (2008). Promoting competence and resilience in the school context. Professional School Counseling, 12, 76–84.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McQuaid, R. W., & Lindsay, C. (2005). The concept of employability. Urban Studies, 42, 197–219. doi:10.1080/0042098042000316100.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Noe, R. A., Noe, A. W., & Bachhuber, J. A. (1990). An investigation of the correlates of career motivation. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 37, 340–356. doi:10.1016/0001-8791(90)90049-8.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Onyishi, I. E., Enwereuzor, I. K., Ituma, A. N., & Omenma, J. T. (2015). The mediating role of perceived employability in the relationship between core self-evaluations and job search behaviour. Career Development International, 20, 604–626. doi:10.1108/CDI-09-2014-0130.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ployhart, R., & Bliese, P. (2006). Individual adaptability (I-Adapt) theory: Conceptualizing the antecedents, consequences, and measurement of individual differences in adaptability. In S. C. Burke, L. G. Pierce, & E. Salas (Eds.), Understanding adaptability: A prerequisite for effective performance within complex environments (Vol. 6, pp. 3–39). Bingley, U. K.: Emerald.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Prediger, D., & Swaney, K. (1995). Using UNIACT in a comprehensive approach to assessment for career planning. Journal of Career Assessment, 3, 429–451. doi:10.1177/106907279500300412.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pulakos, E., Arad, S., Donovan, M., & Plamondon, K. (2000). Adaptability in the workplace: Development of a taxonomy of adaptive performance. Journal of Applied Psychology, 85, 612–624. doi: 10.1037/0021-9010.85.4.612.

  • Rossier, J. (2015). Career adaptability and life design. In L. Nota & J. Rossier (Eds.), Handbook of life design (pp. 153–167). Boston, MA: Hogrefe Publishers.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rothwell, A., & Arnold, J. (2007). Self-perceived employability: Development and validation of a scale. Personnel Review, 36, 23–41. doi:10.1108/00483480710716704.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rothwell, A., Herbert, I., & Rothwell, F. (2008). Self-perceived employability: Construction and initial validation of a scale for university students. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 73, 1–12. doi:10.1016/j.jvb.2007.12.001.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rousseau, D. M. (1995). Psychological contracts in organizations. Understanding written and unwritten agreements. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Santilli, S., Marcionetti, J., Rochat, S., Rossier, J., & Nota, L. (2017). Career adaptability, hope, optimism, and life satisfaction in Italian and Swiss adolescents. Journal of Career Development, 44(1), 62–76. doi:10.1177/0894845316633793.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Savickas, M. (1997). Career adaptability: An integrative construct for life-span, life-space theory. The Career Development Quarterly, 45, 247–259. doi:10.1002/j.2161-0045.1997.tb00469.x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Savickas, M. (2005). The theory and practice of career construction. In S. Brown & R. Lent (Eds.), Career development and counseling. Putting theory and research to work (pp. 42–70). New York, NY: Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Savickas, M. (2012). Life Design: A paradigm for career intervention in the 21st century. Journal of Counseling & Development, 90, 13–19. doi:10.1111/j.1556-6676.2012.00002.x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Savickas, M., & Lent, R. (Eds.). (1994). Convergence in theories of career development: Implications for science and practice. Palo Alto, CA: Consulting Psychologists Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Savickas, M., Nota, L., Rossier, J., Dauwalder, J.-P., Duarte, M. E., Guichard, J., et al. (2009). Life designing: A paradigm for career construction in the 21st century. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 75, 239–250. doi:10.1016/jvb.2009.04.004.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Savickas, M., & Porfeli, E. (2012). Career Adapt-Abilities Scale: construction, reliability, and measurement equivalence across 13 countries. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 80, 661–673. doi:10.1016/j.jvb.2012.01.011.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Savickas, M. L., & Walsh, W. B. (1996). Handbook of career counseling theory and practice. Palo Alto, CA: Davies-Black.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sullivan, S. E., & Arthur, M. B. (2006). The evolution of the boundaryless career concept: Examining physical and psychological mobility. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 69, 19–29. doi:10.1016/j.jvb.2005.09.001.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Super, D., & Bachrach, P. (1957). Scientific careers and vocational development theory. New York, NY: Teachers College Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Super, D., & Overstreet, P. (1960). The vocational maturity of ninth-grade boys. New York, NY: Teachers College Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Super, D., Savickas, M., & Super, C. (1996). The life-span, life-space approach to careers. In D. Brown & L. Brooks (Eds.), Career choice and development (3rd ed., pp. 121–178). San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.

    Google Scholar 

  • Super, D., Thompson, A., & Lindeman, R. (1988). Adult career concerns inventory. Manual for research and exploratory use in counseling. Palo Alto, CA: Consulting Psychologists Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thijssen, J. G., Van der Heijden, B. I., & Rocco, T. S. (2008). Toward the employability-link model: Current employment transition to future employment perspectives. Human Resource Development Review, 7, 165–183. doi:10.1177/1534484308314955.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Van der Heijde, C. M., & Van der Heijden, B. I. J. M. (2005). The development and psychometric evaluation of a multi-dimensional measurement instrument of employability—and the impact of aging. International Congress Series, 1280, 142–147.

    Google Scholar 

  • Van der Heijde, C. M., & Van der Heijden, B. I. J. M. (2006). A competence-based and multidimensional operationalization and measurement of employability. Human Resource Management, 45, 449–476. doi:10.1002/hrm.20119.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Van Emmerik, I., Schreurs, B., De Cuyper, N., Jawahar, I. M., & Peeters, M. (2011). The route to employability: Examining resources and the mediating role of motivation. Career Development International, 17, 104–119. doi:10.1108/13620431211225304.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wijers, G., & Meijers, F. (1996). Careers guidance in the knowledge society. British Journal of Guidance and Counselling, 24, 209–222. doi:10.1080/03069889608260408.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. CICPSI, Faculty of Psychology, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal

    Maria Eduarda Duarte

  2. Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal

    José Tomás da Silva & Maria Paula Paixão

Authors
  1. Maria Eduarda Duarte
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. José Tomás da Silva
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Maria Paula Paixão
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Maria Eduarda Duarte .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Education, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa

    Kobus Maree

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2017 Springer International Publishing AG

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Duarte, M.E., da Silva, J.T., Paixão, M.P. (2017). Career Adaptability, Employability, and Career Resilience in Managing Transitions. In: Maree, K. (eds) Psychology of Career Adaptability, Employability and Resilience . Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-66954-0_15

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation