Examining the relationship of career crafting, perceived employability, and subjective career success: the moderating role of job autonomy

Abstract Career crafting has emerged as a significant construct in the field of career development, with the potential to significantly boost individuals’ overall work satisfaction. This study aimed to examine whether career crafting could improve individual’s subjective career success and perceived employability. Career crafting is an inevitable course of career-related actions to achieve career satisfaction. Based on proactive behavior theory, it is hypothesized that career crafting would have an impact on individuals’ subjective career success and perceived employability through the moderating role of job autonomy. Using cross-sectional study design, data were collected via Google Forms survey from 224 employees working in various fields in Pakistan and data were analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM) via AMOS. The results indicate that career crafting has a significant positive relationship with subjective career success and perceived employability. Furthermore, job autonomy also has significant positive relationship with subjective career success and perceived employability. However, the moderation of job autonomy was not supported. This study provides robust insights to career practitioners, academicians, and individuals. Overall, the study expands the literature of the novel notion of career crafting and career outcomes; additionally, the study advocates organizations to include career crafting in HR policies and helping them to enhance the well-being of employees in their career development.