Demographic information.

This study aims to examine the relationship between work competency factors—namely knowledge, skills, traits, motives, and self-concepts—and job performance among university counsellors in China. Data were collected from 310 university counsellors using multiple sampling techniques. Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM), via Smart-PLS version 3.3.2, was employed for data analysis. The findings revealed that four competency factors—knowledge, skills, traits, and motives—were significantly related to job performance among university counsellors in Hunan Province. These results contribute to a deeper understanding of the impact of work competencies on job performance. It can provide valuable insights for administrators and policymakers aiming to improve the competencies and performance of university counsellors, as well as to enhance the overall development of the counselling team.