This study investigated the role of career competencies as a mediator in the Job Demands —
Resources model. Structural equation modeling with data from 305 young employed persons
aged 16–30 years showed that career competencies are positively related to job resources and
work engagement, but not to job demands and emotional exhaustion. Furthermore, career
competencies had a partially mediating effect on the relationship between job resources and
work engagement, and job resources had a partially mediating effect on the relationship
between career competencies and work engagement. These findings suggest that career
competencies may act in a similar way as personal resources in fostering work engagement.
Our results underline the importance of combining research on job design and career
development, and suggest that career competencies may have a role in stimulating employee
wellbeing. Career counselors and HR programs may benefit from this insight by simultaneously
increasing job resources and career competencies to increase employee wellbeing.