Self-esteem and proactive personality as predictors of future work self and career adaptability: An examination of mediating and moderating processes

•We examined effect of personality on career exploration and adaptability.•Both self-esteem and proactive personality positively predict career adaptability.•Career exploration mediates effects of self-esteem and proactive personality.•The effects of self-esteem are stronger at a higher level of proactive personality.

Basing on career construction theory and self-verification theory, current research examined the mediating and moderating models for the relations among self-esteem, proactive personality, career exploration, future work self and career adaptability. A two-wave survey study was conducted among Chinese university students (N = 305). The results showed that both self-esteem and proactive personality (measured at time 1) positively predicted future work self and career adaptability (measured at time 2), with these relationships mediated by career exploration (measured at time 1). In addition, the results further revealed that the positive effect of self-esteem on career exploration was stronger among students who had a higher level of proactive personality. In support of the hypothesized moderated mediation model, for individuals with a higher level of proactive personality, the indirect effects of self-esteem on future work self and career adaptability through career exploration were stronger. These findings carry implications for research on career construction theory and career counseling practices.