Investigating the Relationship between Core Self-evaluation and Proactive Personality with Employability: The Mediating Role of Adaptability, Career Exploration, and Career Planning

The present study examined the relationship of core self-evaluation with proactive personality with employability, with the mediating roles of career adaptability, career exploration, and career planning. This research was descriptive-correlational in nature. The present research encompassed all undergraduate students at the University of Isfahan in the academic year 2021-2022, a total of 9500 students (6199 women, 3301 men). A total of 1025 students (803 women, 222 men) completed the Self-Perceived Employability Scale (SPES), Core Self-Evaluation Scale (CSES), Proactive Personality Scale (PPS), Career Adapt-Ability Scale (CAAS), Career Planning Scale (CPS), and Career Exploration Scale (CES). The data was analyzed using the SPSS 23 and AMOS 23 statistical programs, which implemented structural equation modeling and bootstrapping analysis. The results of structural equation modeling indicated that career adaptability, career exploration, and career planning played partial mediating roles in the relationship between core self-evaluation and employability, and a full mediating role in the relationship between proactive personality and employability. Ultimately, career exploration and career planning served as complete mediators in the relationship between employability and career adaptability. Employability may be achieved through proactive personality, career exploration, and career planning, as well as core self-evaluation. Therefore, universities may organize seminars that emphasize these variables to enhance their employability.