This narrative inquiry study explored how new housing and residence life professionals experienced their first post-master’s program job search process. The focus was to gain a deeper understanding of how new professionals experienced their job search, perceived fit with institutions, and interpreted anticipatory socialization. Participants shared their experiences through interviews to explore how the job search process affected them as they transitioned from student to professional. Data was collected through interviews with seven housing and residence life professionals who completed their job searches in the spring and summer of 2019 These participants’ job searches were tumultuous experiences influenced by external factors such as pre-existing and prospective relationships, which often resulted in internal struggles they had to navigate. Experiences at placement conferences felt like the entire job search compressed into a few days. Participants felt that the placement conference experience did not give them an advantage over their colleagues whose search processes did not include a placement conference.
Participants perceived their fit with an organization progressively. Initially, participants used their individual needs and wants (i.e. locations, partner policies, pet policies, etc.) to determine which positions to apply for. Then, participants met with potential employers in interviews and during campus visits where they developed relationships and learned about institutional culture, solidifying their perceived fit. Lastly, the participants further confirmed fit with institutions as they became excited about the prospect of working somewhere.
Participants were aware of their socialization throughout their job search and used their experiences to develop professional standards in response to positive and negative experiences they had during their job searches. They identified standards for themselves regarding how they would communicate with incoming members they recruited, or how open they would be about the positive and negative aspects of vacant positions and organizations. The job search experience shaped them as professionals and influenced how they contribute to their organization and the student affairs profession.
The results of this study provide insight into how new professionals are experiencing these processes and provide a deeper understanding of a first job search. This can inform graduate preparation program faculty, employers, and new professionals.
