The pitfalls of career plateau: unravelling the mechanisms and conditions leading to adverse career outcomes

Purpose Using social cognitive career theory assumptions, the harmful effects of career plateau on other career-related variables (e.g. organizational mobility preference, career goal disengagement and career insecurity) via perceived marketability types. Moreover, the authors also examine how these indirect effects are conditional on employees’ career competencies in a moderated mediation model. Design/methodology/approach Using a multi-wave research design, the authors collected temporally segregated data from a sample of employees (n = 292) in Pakistan’s service sector. Findings The results support the indirect effects of career plateau on career outcomes through perceived marketability types. In addition, their findings support the view that the indirect effects of career plateau on career outcomes are more potent for employees with low career competencies. Originality/value Their study provides unique insights into vocational and career literature by untangling the mechanisms and boundary conditions through which career plateaus affect employees’ career outcomes.