Chopping and Changing: Demographic, Bright and Dark Side Trait Correlates of Job Changes

Abstract

The aim of this study was to explore personality correlates of those who frequently change, as opposed to remain for longer periods, in their jobs. Over 6000 adult managers (Mean Age 43.83 years) attending an assessment centre completed a battery of tests including a normal, “bright side” personality trait measure (NEO-PI-R); a “dark side”, sub-clinical personality disorders measure (HDS). They also recorded how many jobs they had held over their life-time (Mean 7.01). Correlational analyses showed those who had more jobs were strongly associated with age as well as low Neuroticism, high Extraversion, and Conscientiousness, as well as being Cautious, Dutiful, Mischievous and Imaginative. Regressions showed the higher-order, “dark side” factor “Moving Against Others” was associated with more job changes. There appears to be no other studies in this area either by differential and social psychologists or sociologists. Limitations of this essentially pilot study are noted.