Pub Date : 2021-04-01DOI: 10.1177/1038416220980425
I. Krishnan, Selvajothi Ramalingam, Narentheren Kaliappen, S. Uthamaputhran, Puspalata C. Suppiah, G. D. Mello, S. Paramasivam
The purpose of this qualitative study was to investigate the words and phrases used by student graduates in job interviews. Twenty-Seven Malaysian graduates participated in the study. “How to face challenges” was the focal theme chosen for analysis of the data. The findings indicated that successful interviewees covered six out of seven important employability skills, while interviewees on the reserve list covered only four of the employability skills, and the unsuccessful interviewees covered only three of the seven skills. Successful interviewees were deemed able to portray high level proficiency by using the most salient words and phrases to express their employability skills in the interviews. It is expected that this study will encourage current undergraduates to develop high level language proficiency regarding their employability and foster training in this area by educational institutions so as to benefit their students.
{"title":"Graduate employability skills: Words and phrases used in job interviews","authors":"I. Krishnan, Selvajothi Ramalingam, Narentheren Kaliappen, S. Uthamaputhran, Puspalata C. Suppiah, G. D. Mello, S. Paramasivam","doi":"10.1177/1038416220980425","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/1038416220980425","url":null,"abstract":"The purpose of this qualitative study was to investigate the words and phrases used by student graduates in job interviews. Twenty-Seven Malaysian graduates participated in the study. “How to face challenges” was the focal theme chosen for analysis of the data. The findings indicated that successful interviewees covered six out of seven important employability skills, while interviewees on the reserve list covered only four of the employability skills, and the unsuccessful interviewees covered only three of the seven skills. Successful interviewees were deemed able to portray high level proficiency by using the most salient words and phrases to express their employability skills in the interviews. It is expected that this study will encourage current undergraduates to develop high level language proficiency regarding their employability and foster training in this area by educational institutions so as to benefit their students.","PeriodicalId":44843,"journal":{"name":"Australian Journal of Career Development","volume":"33 1","pages":"24 - 32"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2021-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"83675222","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2021-04-01DOI: 10.1177/1038416220983945
Charles P. Chen, Komila Jagtiani
It is generally assumed that visible actors in the performing arts industry maintain overall wellness despite the knowledge that an actor’s life is often characterized by instability. While an actor’s performance is often critiqued subjectively and critically, the variety of occupational risks associated with an actor’s well-being is less closely examined. Prior research suggests those working within the acting profession experience significant levels of distress. As a result, this article, first, aims to address the issues confronting the actor, in particular, anxiety associated with erratic employment, vulnerability to adverse working conditions, and conflict in identity owing to the impact of acting coupled with the effect of economic insecurity. Second, the paper follows with a consideration of key counselling theories to help strengthen this diverse group’s personal well-being and career prospects. By examining counselling interventions, the application of these theories can allow actors to develop optimally in acting industries worldwide.
{"title":"Helping actors improve their career well-being","authors":"Charles P. Chen, Komila Jagtiani","doi":"10.1177/1038416220983945","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/1038416220983945","url":null,"abstract":"It is generally assumed that visible actors in the performing arts industry maintain overall wellness despite the knowledge that an actor’s life is often characterized by instability. While an actor’s performance is often critiqued subjectively and critically, the variety of occupational risks associated with an actor’s well-being is less closely examined. Prior research suggests those working within the acting profession experience significant levels of distress. As a result, this article, first, aims to address the issues confronting the actor, in particular, anxiety associated with erratic employment, vulnerability to adverse working conditions, and conflict in identity owing to the impact of acting coupled with the effect of economic insecurity. Second, the paper follows with a consideration of key counselling theories to help strengthen this diverse group’s personal well-being and career prospects. By examining counselling interventions, the application of these theories can allow actors to develop optimally in acting industries worldwide.","PeriodicalId":44843,"journal":{"name":"Australian Journal of Career Development","volume":"36 1","pages":"55 - 63"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2021-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"73400790","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2021-04-01DOI: 10.1177/1038416220978971
A. Maritz, Bronwyn Eager, S. de Klerk
Not only do Australian mature-aged entrepreneurs contribute $11.9 billion per annum to the Australian economy in over 379,000 businesses, they launch approximately 14,000 new businesses each year and actively contribute to fiscal, social, health, and active ageing outcomes in their communities. Thirty-four per cent of all young businesses in Australia are now led by mature-aged entrepreneurs, identifying mature-aged entrepreneurship as the fastest growing sector of entrepreneurship. This study is the first of its kind to examine mature-aged entrepreneurship in Australia using five pragmatic and embedded case-study examples. Aligning to Cartensen's sociomotional selection theory, we adopted an interpretivist philosphical framework of emergent enquiry action research. The paper includes benefits and challenges associated with mature-aged entrepreneurship, including contextual and theoretical foundations. We provide policy and research recommendations to enhance the development of a dedicated entrepreneurial ecosystem for mature-aged people.
{"title":"Entrepreneurship and self-employment for mature-aged people","authors":"A. Maritz, Bronwyn Eager, S. de Klerk","doi":"10.1177/1038416220978971","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/1038416220978971","url":null,"abstract":"Not only do Australian mature-aged entrepreneurs contribute $11.9 billion per annum to the Australian economy in over 379,000 businesses, they launch approximately 14,000 new businesses each year and actively contribute to fiscal, social, health, and active ageing outcomes in their communities. Thirty-four per cent of all young businesses in Australia are now led by mature-aged entrepreneurs, identifying mature-aged entrepreneurship as the fastest growing sector of entrepreneurship. This study is the first of its kind to examine mature-aged entrepreneurship in Australia using five pragmatic and embedded case-study examples. Aligning to Cartensen's sociomotional selection theory, we adopted an interpretivist philosphical framework of emergent enquiry action research. The paper includes benefits and challenges associated with mature-aged entrepreneurship, including contextual and theoretical foundations. We provide policy and research recommendations to enhance the development of a dedicated entrepreneurial ecosystem for mature-aged people.","PeriodicalId":44843,"journal":{"name":"Australian Journal of Career Development","volume":"85 1","pages":"3 - 14"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2021-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"84346028","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2021-04-01DOI: 10.1177/1038416220983483
J. Oorschot, G. Moscardo, Anna Blackman
This study explores the relationship between leadership style and psychological contract dimensions. The literature suggests that leaders in general and leadership style in particular can influence the psychological contracts of employees. Currently, there is no research as to how leaders perceive such contracts. This qualitative study presents the interview findings of twenty-three leaders working in public and private sector organisations. Differences were found between neutral and transformational leaders. Neutral leaders had a more transactional psychological contract, whereas the transformational leaders had a more relational psychological contract. This study adds to the literature as there is no current framework that considers the relationship between leadership styles with the psychological contract. Overall, the results indicate differences in psychological contract perceptions for different leadership styles.
{"title":"Leadership style and psychological contract","authors":"J. Oorschot, G. Moscardo, Anna Blackman","doi":"10.1177/1038416220983483","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/1038416220983483","url":null,"abstract":"This study explores the relationship between leadership style and psychological contract dimensions. The literature suggests that leaders in general and leadership style in particular can influence the psychological contracts of employees. Currently, there is no research as to how leaders perceive such contracts. This qualitative study presents the interview findings of twenty-three leaders working in public and private sector organisations. Differences were found between neutral and transformational leaders. Neutral leaders had a more transactional psychological contract, whereas the transformational leaders had a more relational psychological contract. This study adds to the literature as there is no current framework that considers the relationship between leadership styles with the psychological contract. Overall, the results indicate differences in psychological contract perceptions for different leadership styles.","PeriodicalId":44843,"journal":{"name":"Australian Journal of Career Development","volume":"1 1","pages":"43 - 54"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2021-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"89677241","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2021-03-24DOI: 10.1177/1038416221994208
Geraldine De Mello, I. Krishnan, N. Arumugam, Mohammad Nor Afandi bin Ibrahim, Selvajothi Ramalingam
This study applied a “moves analysis” approach to examine job application letters written by 25 Malaysian graduates obtained from an outsourcing organisation in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The letters were analysed as to whether they adhered to the seven aspects of the “moves structure” used to analyse job applications (i.e. establishing credentials, introducing candidate, detailing advantages, enclosing relevant documents, ending appropriately, offering incentives, and using pressure tactics). Additionally, interviews were held with five human resource managers from five different organisations. From the interviews, the managers emphasised that it was important that job application letters should contain at least five of the seven moves from the framework. The findings obtained revealed that Malaysian graduates employed five out of the seven strategies from the moves structure and had covered the basic format of the job application letter. Most applicants omitted Move 5 (using pressure tactics), but the findings suggest that this variation did not hinder the communicative purpose of the letters.
{"title":"Schematic analysis of job application letters by Malaysian graduates","authors":"Geraldine De Mello, I. Krishnan, N. Arumugam, Mohammad Nor Afandi bin Ibrahim, Selvajothi Ramalingam","doi":"10.1177/1038416221994208","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/1038416221994208","url":null,"abstract":"This study applied a “moves analysis” approach to examine job application letters written by 25 Malaysian graduates obtained from an outsourcing organisation in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The letters were analysed as to whether they adhered to the seven aspects of the “moves structure” used to analyse job applications (i.e. establishing credentials, introducing candidate, detailing advantages, enclosing relevant documents, ending appropriately, offering incentives, and using pressure tactics). Additionally, interviews were held with five human resource managers from five different organisations. From the interviews, the managers emphasised that it was important that job application letters should contain at least five of the seven moves from the framework. The findings obtained revealed that Malaysian graduates employed five out of the seven strategies from the moves structure and had covered the basic format of the job application letter. Most applicants omitted Move 5 (using pressure tactics), but the findings suggest that this variation did not hinder the communicative purpose of the letters.","PeriodicalId":44843,"journal":{"name":"Australian Journal of Career Development","volume":"114 1","pages":"72 - 79"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2021-03-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"76333202","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2020-09-30DOI: 10.1177/1038416220935677
Harleen Kaur, Rajpreet Kaur
Drawing on the career construction theory and person–environment fit theory, the current research aimed to investigate whether career adaptability could enhance job outcomes. Further, the study examined the role of person–job fit as an underlying mechanism explaining the relationship between career adaptability and job outcomes. The data were collected in three waves from 239 Indian banking employees. The results suggest that possessing psychosocial meta-capacities in the form of career adaptability stimulates employees’ self-regulation in achieving a work–environment fit, consequently leading to favourable job outcomes. The current study is the first to validate the psychological pathways linking career adaptability and job outcomes via person–job fit. Study findings carry implications for career practitioners/counsellors to acknowledge the role of career adaptability in regulating individual capacities for career development. Elaborating the interconnection between domains of career and jobs, the study encourages organizations to consider career adaptability for improving fit and job outcomes.
{"title":"The relationship between career adaptability and job outcomes via fit perceptions: A three-wave longitudinal study","authors":"Harleen Kaur, Rajpreet Kaur","doi":"10.1177/1038416220935677","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/1038416220935677","url":null,"abstract":"Drawing on the career construction theory and person–environment fit theory, the current research aimed to investigate whether career adaptability could enhance job outcomes. Further, the study examined the role of person–job fit as an underlying mechanism explaining the relationship between career adaptability and job outcomes. The data were collected in three waves from 239 Indian banking employees. The results suggest that possessing psychosocial meta-capacities in the form of career adaptability stimulates employees’ self-regulation in achieving a work–environment fit, consequently leading to favourable job outcomes. The current study is the first to validate the psychological pathways linking career adaptability and job outcomes via person–job fit. Study findings carry implications for career practitioners/counsellors to acknowledge the role of career adaptability in regulating individual capacities for career development. Elaborating the interconnection between domains of career and jobs, the study encourages organizations to consider career adaptability for improving fit and job outcomes.","PeriodicalId":44843,"journal":{"name":"Australian Journal of Career Development","volume":"19 1","pages":"196 - 204"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2020-09-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"88029907","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2020-09-30DOI: 10.1177/1038416220947085
J. Singh
Previous scholarly work has elaborated on challenges faced by Chinese international returnees at Chinese workplaces. However, limited research has captured to what extent such challenges have invol...
{"title":"Challenges in obtaining employment in China: Lived experiences of Australian Chinese graduates:","authors":"J. Singh","doi":"10.1177/1038416220947085","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/1038416220947085","url":null,"abstract":"Previous scholarly work has elaborated on challenges faced by Chinese international returnees at Chinese workplaces. However, limited research has captured to what extent such challenges have invol...","PeriodicalId":44843,"journal":{"name":"Australian Journal of Career Development","volume":"11 1","pages":"153-163"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2020-09-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"74737692","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2020-09-30DOI: 10.1177/1038416220927796
D. Delaney, H. Stewart, R. Cameron, E. Cardell, S. Carruthers, A. Love, A. Pearson, P. Calleja
The higher education (HE) landscape continues to grow in complexity; thus, there is a need to improve the understanding of leadership in this context. This action research (AR) study was undertaken in a multi-disciplinary context of an Australian university to develop and evaluate an action learning (AL) project promoting leadership practice. An overview of AL is provided to situate the case study methodology and to demonstrate how it is used to develop leadership capabilities and benefit ‘team learning’. The findings support the development of AR programs for leaders in the ever-changing environment of HE. The need for an understanding of what leadership is, the development of a learning community and the articulation of the learning processes are seen as essential to support leaders in their development. Leaders not only need to be reflective but also require a safe and trusting environment to support their quest for career progression, grants and awards.
{"title":"Supporting the development of program leaders in higher education: An action research case study","authors":"D. Delaney, H. Stewart, R. Cameron, E. Cardell, S. Carruthers, A. Love, A. Pearson, P. Calleja","doi":"10.1177/1038416220927796","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/1038416220927796","url":null,"abstract":"The higher education (HE) landscape continues to grow in complexity; thus, there is a need to improve the understanding of leadership in this context. This action research (AR) study was undertaken in a multi-disciplinary context of an Australian university to develop and evaluate an action learning (AL) project promoting leadership practice. An overview of AL is provided to situate the case study methodology and to demonstrate how it is used to develop leadership capabilities and benefit ‘team learning’. The findings support the development of AR programs for leaders in the ever-changing environment of HE. The need for an understanding of what leadership is, the development of a learning community and the articulation of the learning processes are seen as essential to support leaders in their development. Leaders not only need to be reflective but also require a safe and trusting environment to support their quest for career progression, grants and awards.","PeriodicalId":44843,"journal":{"name":"Australian Journal of Career Development","volume":"26 1","pages":"205 - 217"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2020-09-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"73704256","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2020-09-30DOI: 10.1177/1038416220941853
Erol Esen
The My Children’s Future Scale (MCFS) measures the support provided by parents for their children’s careers. The aim of this study was to adapt the MCFS to Turkish and examine its psychometric characteristics in a study conducted in the Turkish context. Participants consisted of 280 parents (190 mothers and 90 fathers). The factor structure of the MCFS and measurement invariance across parent gender were examined. The unidimensional factor structure was confirmed and the scale was invariant across parent gender. In addition, the reliability of the MCFS was assessed for internal consistency and test-retest reliability. Cronbach’s alpha and McDonald’s omega coefficients were calculated as .87, and test-retest reliability coefficient as .83. Our findings suggested that the Turkish form of the MCFS can be considered a valid and reliable data collection tool for use in Turkey to measure the support provided by parents for their children’s careers.
{"title":"The My Children’s Future Scale: Construct validity, measurement invariance, and reliability in a Turkish sample","authors":"Erol Esen","doi":"10.1177/1038416220941853","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/1038416220941853","url":null,"abstract":"The My Children’s Future Scale (MCFS) measures the support provided by parents for their children’s careers. The aim of this study was to adapt the MCFS to Turkish and examine its psychometric characteristics in a study conducted in the Turkish context. Participants consisted of 280 parents (190 mothers and 90 fathers). The factor structure of the MCFS and measurement invariance across parent gender were examined. The unidimensional factor structure was confirmed and the scale was invariant across parent gender. In addition, the reliability of the MCFS was assessed for internal consistency and test-retest reliability. Cronbach’s alpha and McDonald’s omega coefficients were calculated as .87, and test-retest reliability coefficient as .83. Our findings suggested that the Turkish form of the MCFS can be considered a valid and reliable data collection tool for use in Turkey to measure the support provided by parents for their children’s careers.","PeriodicalId":44843,"journal":{"name":"Australian Journal of Career Development","volume":"5 1","pages":"185 - 195"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2020-09-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"75969386","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2020-09-30DOI: 10.1177/1038416220950737
Zulqurnain Ali, U. Ghani, Z. Islam, Aqsa Mehreen
The emergence of self-career management has pushed individuals to manage their careers proactively and evade unexpected events. The purpose of this study was to develop and validate a career shocks scale for use in Chinese organizations. In doing so, we developed a comprehensive scale of career shocks to cover a significant gray area of career management and enhance a deeper understanding of the emergence of career shocks among Chinese employees. Using the mixed-method approach, we recruited multiple samples to validate the item structure and assess construct validity and internal consistency of the career shocks scale. The findings of a confirmatory factor analysis suggested two dimensions of career shocks (positive and negative), having nine items. Moreover, a strong inter-item structure indicated that this research measure would be valuable for future research endeavors in the domain of career management.
{"title":"Measuring career shocks: A study of scale development and validation in the Chinese context","authors":"Zulqurnain Ali, U. Ghani, Z. Islam, Aqsa Mehreen","doi":"10.1177/1038416220950737","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/1038416220950737","url":null,"abstract":"The emergence of self-career management has pushed individuals to manage their careers proactively and evade unexpected events. The purpose of this study was to develop and validate a career shocks scale for use in Chinese organizations. In doing so, we developed a comprehensive scale of career shocks to cover a significant gray area of career management and enhance a deeper understanding of the emergence of career shocks among Chinese employees. Using the mixed-method approach, we recruited multiple samples to validate the item structure and assess construct validity and internal consistency of the career shocks scale. The findings of a confirmatory factor analysis suggested two dimensions of career shocks (positive and negative), having nine items. Moreover, a strong inter-item structure indicated that this research measure would be valuable for future research endeavors in the domain of career management.","PeriodicalId":44843,"journal":{"name":"Australian Journal of Career Development","volume":"os-24 1","pages":"164 - 172"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2020-09-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"87207496","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}