Unwrapping the Influence of Proactive Personality on Job Satisfaction During Organizational Socialization: Examining the Intervening Effects of Newcomers’ Perceptions of Person–Environment Fit

Abstract This study focuses on the mediating role of person–environment fit on the relationship between proactive personality and job satisfaction, during the organizational socialization stage. Specifically, it tests the role of person–organization fit and person–job fit, operationalized through its specific subdimensions of demands–abilities fit and needs–supplies (N–S) fit in this relationship. Relying upon a predictive design, a sample of 151 trainees completing their final master’s internship in different organizations was used and data were collected in 2 independent phases, at the beginning and after 5 months of their internships. Results showed a positive, significant link between proactive personality and job satisfaction, supporting the validity of this disposition for predicting this key outcome during organizational onboarding. Further mediation analyses revealed that this relationship is mediated by N–S fit. The main implications of these findings are discussed.