Socialization preferences and intentions: Does one size fit all?

The purpose of this study was to investigate student preferences for socialization tactics and their intentions to be proactive when they begin a new job. We examined the relationship between the Five Factor Model of personality and proactive personality with socialization tactics preferences and proactive behavior intentions in a sample of 243 undergraduate university students enrolled in a cooperative management program. The results indicate that personality predicts preferences for socialization tactics and intentions to be proactive. In particular, individuals high on agreeableness prefer institutionalized socialization tactics and individuals high on extraversion and proactive personality report higher intentions to be proactive when they begin a new job. These results suggest that one size does not fit all newcomers when it comes to socialization. The implications for research and practice before and after organizational entry are discussed.

► Investigated student preferences for socialization tactics and intentions to be proactive when beginning a new job.
► They completed a questionnaire on their personality, socialization tactics preferences, and proactive behavior intentions.
► Students high on agreeableness prefer institutionalized socialization tactics.
► Students high on extraversion and proactive personality have higher intentions to be proactive when they begin a new job.
► One size does not fit all newcomers when it comes to socialization.