The Influence of Proactive Personality towards Career Adaptability among Young Employees in the Banking Sector in Johor, Malaysia

Personality is a critical yet often underexamined factor in organizational research, particularly regarding its role in shaping employees’ career development. Among the various personality traits, proactive personality has been consistently associated with constructive work behaviours, while career adaptability has gained prominence as an essential competency in an increasingly dynamic and technological driven labour market. This study examines the influence of proactive personality on career adaptability among young employees in banking institutions in Southern Malaysia. A total of 234 young employees participated in this quantitative study. Proactive Personality Scale and Career Adapt-Abilities Scale were used in this study. The findings indicate that respondents reported high levels of proactive personality and career adaptability. Besides, correlation analysis shows a significant and moderate positive relationship between proactive personality and career adaptability. Also, regression analysis confirmed that proactive personality has influenced career adaptability. These results highlight the importance of personality-related resources in supporting employees’ capacity to adjust and remain competitive within rapidly changing organizational environments.