Effects of career adaptability on university fresh graduates’ perceived future employability and career motivation: employed versus unemployed

This study compared career adaptability’s effect on career motivation and perceived future employability among employed and unemployed fresh graduates. A cross-sectional survey design was utilised with 457 (64.1% women; Mage = 23.07, SD 1.24) fresh graduates from Malaysian public and private universities. Career adaptability dimensions were found to have different effects on perceived future employability and career motivation dimensions for unemployed versus employed participants. The significant and positive effect of career adaptability in promoting positive career outcomes suggested that relevant stakeholders should emphasise on the provision of opportunities or professional training to improve fresh graduates’ career adaptability to promote successful transition into employment.