Investigating newcomer expectations and job-related outcomes

The initial experiences of newcomers as they enter an organization can provide important information that substantially influences the subsequent relationship between the individual and the organization. For example, the application of realistic job previews (RJPs) often results in desirable organizational outcomes (e.g., increased satisfaction and reduced turnover). RJPs are typically job specific and job-content laden and serve to reduce the expectations of organizational newcomers. The present study indicates that an expectation lowering procedure (ELP), which is not job specific and is relatively content free, may yield similar benefits (i.e., reduce expectations). Both the organizational implications of this research and suggestions for using ELPs in conjunction with RJPs in the newcomer socialization process are offered.