Validating the Career Adapt-Ability Scale in Mexico and Examining the Relative Importance of Career Adaptability and Employability in Career Success

Abstract

Employability and career adaptability are two related constructs that are considered significant factors in career success. Career adaptability is the readiness to cope with current and anticipated career-related tasks, transitions, and changes, whereas employability is the ability to retain or obtain a job in the labor market. This paper presents a Spanish translation of the Career Adapt-Abilities Scale (CAAS) and analyses the relative importance of career adaptability and employability in predicting career success (job performance and job satisfaction) in a sample of 160 young Mexican working adults. Our results supported the internal consistency and factor structure of CAAS. Relative weights and commonality analysis indicated that both constructs shared explained outcome variance, but they had different importance in predicting career outcomes. Thus, employability is still relevant despite the rising importance of career adaptability. Career adaptability should be included in employability programs, refining the two concepts into a more parsimonious measure.

Keywords

• career adapt-abilities scale
• employability
• career adaptability