Career identity and its impact upon self-perceived employability among Chilean male middle-aged managers

Economic growth and social development in Chile require a skilled workforce able to adapt to a highly dynamic labour market all of which place new demands for middle-aged workers who have to explore labour markets opportunities to develop and maintain their employability. This research addresses internal antecedents on employability, specifically, is intended to describe career identity and its relationship with middle-aged managers’ career behaviour leading to self-perceived employability. Based on theories of the Self, the Social Identity Theory, and the narrative approach, career identity is conceptualized as a dynamic aggregate of work descriptors that individuals ascribe to themselves, as well as an ongoing process of constructing a narrative about the self at work. From the analysis of narrative accounts of careers provided by 25 Chilean male middle-aged managers, we concluded that the so-called complex career identity, which implies multiple selves in relation to work embedded in a rich and articulated career narrative, seems to be an antecedent of career behaviour contributing to one's employability. Recommendations for further research and practical implications of the study are given.