A
widely investigated field of occupational research involves measures of
potentially predictive traits for career success. Within this realm, researchers have explored
the concept of self-efficacy to determine how an individual’s beliefs impact
their career outcomes.
Self-efficacy
is a person’s belief in their capacity to succeed when faced with a task. If that person believes in their ability to
perform the task, s/he is said to have a high level of self-efficacy. Persons with high levels of self-efficacy are
often more persistent and put in more effort when working towards a goal.
Researchers
have found a positive relationship between one’s level of occupational
self-efficacy and their vocational success as measured by several factors
including feelings, salary, and opportunity for advancement. Abele and Spurk (2009), adapted and created
several questionnaires to look specifically at these measures as well as one’s
level of self-efficacy.
These
questionnaires were distributed to recent graduates of college, and then
repeatedly sent over a period of seven years in order to chart changes in
measures among participants.
Based
on the gathered data, the researchers found that those with higher levels of
self-efficacy are more likely to set goals working toward higher vocational
positions. Furthermore, the data
indicated that one’s self efficacy has a positive influence on salary, ability
to advance job position, and overall career satisfaction when measured by one’s
feelings.
A
higher level of self-efficacy can be remarkably beneficial in the
workplace. It can lead to better occupational
outcomes, and more motivation.
According
to Bandura (1977), there are several categories of methods one can employ to
increase their level of self-efficacy:
- · Simply put: do things. Get out and try something using your own methods. This will help you know yourself, as well as how to improve upon your current methods.
- · Learn from others who have self-efficacy. What are they doing? By observing others, you can increase methods to utilize in situations more specific to yourself.
- · Take a breath. Anxiety can be a source of decreased self-efficacy. By reducing anxiety, you’ll be able to think more clearly about the tasks at hand.
Abele, A. E., & Spurk, D. (2009). The
longitudinal impact of self-efficacy and career goals on objective and subjective career success. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 74(1), 53-62.
Bandura, A. (1977). Self-efficacy: toward a
unifying theory of behavioral change.Psychological review, 84(2),
191.
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