Predictors of Career Success

An Empirical Investigation of the Predictors of Executive Career Success is a great working paper on what sort of things can affect overall pay as well as subjective career satisfaction. One of its findings also provides further backing that, unfortunately, the college you go to matters.

To zero on personality: the research on the effects on your career of the Big 5 Personality Traits is all over the place, but in general if you're in doubt, you could do worse than ask yourself, "what would I do in this situation if I were a little more conscientious, agreeable, mentally stable, and open to new experiences?"

Some of the varied findings on the Big 5 and Achievement: here, here, here, and here.