Physical attractiveness, cognitive ability, and self‐control predict many important outcomes but are rarely examined in combination, particularly in the context of career success. Drawing from Judge et al.'s (2009, J. Appl. Psychol., 94, 742) model of income antecedents and Caspi et al.'s (1989, J. Pers., 57, 375) concepts of cumulative and interactional continuity, this study investigated the pathways leading from these characteristics to career outcomes. Specifically, we developed a model with links involving (1) attractiveness, intelligence, and self‐control; (2) self‐evaluations, delinquent behaviours, educational attainment, and job complexity; and (3) income and job satisfaction. The model was examined with data from three waves of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health. Results supported a slightly modified model, with major findings indicating attractiveness, intelligence, and self‐control measured during adolescence predicted later self‐evaluations or delinquent behaviour; these variables predicted later education level; education level predicted job complexity; and job complexity predicted income and job satisfaction. Implications related to this integrated model are discussed. Practitioner points Interventions might focus on enhancing self‐control‐related skills in adolescents in an effort to improve later work‐related outcomes. Core self‐evaluations and delinquent tendencies could also be targeted during adolescence to influence life pathways relevant to career outcomes.

Engaging in multiple tasks is a common and important issue in many achievement settings. This research examined task type (quantitative and qualitative) and resource allocation (time) trends in this context. Prior research has focused largely on quantitative tasks and general predictor-allocation relationships, neglecting qualitative tasks and the potential for multiple distinct allocation trends. These issues were examined in two studies (N 5 75 and N 5 118) involving quantitative and qualitative tasks. Results indicated that over time participants reduced resource allocation to the qualitative task but not to the quantitative task. Both studies also revealed multiple distinct allocation trends in addition to these general patterns. These findings highlight the importance of examining different task types and exploring for multiple distinct trends underlying broader patterns in multiple task research.