Newcomer calling shift: A construal-level perspective

Despite the recognition that calling can shift over time, little consideration has been given to how mental representations evoked by temporal distance cues may impact the shifts in calling during the newcomer transition period. Drawing from construal-level theory (CLT), this study develops and tests a theoretical model to explain why and how temporal distance affects career calling during career transitions for graduate newcomers. We identified work elaboration and meaningfulness as the underlying construal mechanisms and future self-continuity as a boundary condition in the relationship between temporal distance and newcomer calling shifts. Our theoretical model was supported across two studies employing both naturalistic observational and experimental designs. The results consistently showed that temporal proximity (vs. distance) predicted shifts in newcomers' calling through heightened work elaboration and diminished work meaningfulness. Moreover, future self-continuity moderated the relationships between temporal distance and both work elaboration and meaningfulness. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.