Adjusting to a New Organization

Abstract

Entering a new organization and assuming a new job marks a career transition common to adult life. The three stages of anticipatory socialization, encounter, and change and acquisition form a model of socialization which is used to depict what newcomers can expect to experience during the adjustment process, including Stressors to be encountered. Strategies are suggested for newcomers and for organizations which can ease the transition for both parties. For newcomers, these strategies include making a realistic job choice, preparing for the experience of reality shock, and seeking out social support from others. For organizations, the recommended strategies are forming psychological contracts with integrity, providing early job challenges, flexible scheduling, and timely feedback to newcomers, and ensuring that multiple sources of social support are available for newcomers.