Employability: The Construct, Its Dimensions, and Applications.

This article proposes that the employability of an individual subsumes a host of person-centered constructs that synergistically help workers effectively adapt to the myriad of work-related changes. Employability is conceptualized as a multidimensional form of work specific active adaptability that enables workers to identify and realize career opportunities. Individuals who possess high levels of employability are predicted to reap the benefits of active adaptability. In addition to fostering active adaptability, employability also predisposes individuals to adapt or change proactively. Not only does person-centered and active adaptation provide the conceptual foundation for the construct of employability, but it also provides the conceptual glue that coheres the component dimensions of employability. Career identity is similar to constructs like role identity, occupational identity, and organizational identity in that they all refer to how people define themselves in a particular work context. Personal adaptability contributes to both organizational performance and career success as it enables people to remain productive and attractive to employers in continually changing work domains.