The purpose of this study was to examine the anticipatory socialization experiences of new student affairs professionals. The focus was to gain a deeper understanding of how new professionals experience their anticipatory socialization, specifically the job search and pre-entry communication with their new organizations. The theory that emerged provides insight to hiring organizations on their hiring practices, graduate school preparation programs on the strategies used to prepare students for the job market, and graduate students and new professionals as they transition from graduate student to new professional. A constructivist grounded theory approach was used to develop theory regarding the anticipatory socialization of new professionals. Data were collected over the course of 8 months with 14 participants. Participants engaged in 3 rounds of journal writing exercises and interviews at different stages of their anticipatory socialization. It was found that these participants experienced and managed a public job search, as well as a private job search. Aspects of the public job search included the public nature of cohort membership, participating in placement conferences, networking and interviewing, and accepting a job offer. It was also found that participants were managing private aspects of their job search, which included redefining relationships, finding fit, trying to make sense of experiences, varying levels of confidence, managing expectations, and seeking connections with others. These findings contribute to the profession's understanding of the experience graduate students face as they move from student to professional. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]