ABSTRACT
This chapter analyzes the relationship between needs, values, interests, traits, and personality theory. It describes a model of employability and argues that employability is an important part of vocational psychology and provides some observations regarding generic determinants of career success. The chapter considers the next step in the evolution of careers—namely, career success. Vocational psychologists have always acknowledged that personality variables and career interests are related, and every major figure in the field has suggested that interests are manifestations of more basic personality characteristics. Vocational interest researchers have a more enlightened view of the meaning of test scores than personality researchers. Vocational interest and personality assessment differ in a way that is worth noting. Employability concerns being able to gain and maintain a job in a formal organization, or to get a new one should that become necessary. Vocational psychology studies career choice—one of the most important problems in each individual’s life.
