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Personality-job fit /
Uncovering the power of personality to shape income
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Description: The notion of person-environment fit implies that personal and contextual factors interact in influencing important life outcomes. Using data from 8,458 employed individuals, we examined the combined effects of individuals' actual personality traits and expert-rated personality job demands on earnings. Results using response surface analysis indicated that the fit between individuals’ actual personality and job-demanded personality is a predictor of income. Conclusions of this combined analysis were partly opposite to conclusions reached using conventional regression methods. Individuals can earn additional income up to multiple monthly salaries per year if they hold a job that fits their personality. Thus, at least for some traits, economic success does not only depend on having a "successful personality" but partly on finding the best niche for one's personality. We discuss the findings with regard to labor market policies and individual job selection strategies.