Organizational socialization is a crucial moment during employment, as employees learn the skills and behaviours needed to be successful in a new role. Researchers have historically relied on the organizational socialization tactics (OST) scale created by Jones ( 1986 ) to assess this phenomenon, despite its limitations. This research aimed to create an alternative measure of socialization focused on an employee’s perceptions of sink or swim , made up of the 3-factors: responsibility, effectiveness, and support. Study 1 used the academic literature and data from an industry survey to generate an initial item pool and then used subject matter experts (SMEs) to run a content validation assessment. Study 2 used a longitudinal survey design with two waves to assess the factor structure, psychometric properties, and predictive validity of the scale. The 3-factor structure was supported through an EFA and confirmed with a subsequent CFA and the refined scale indicated acceptable levels of construct validity and test-retest reliability. The predictive validity of the scale was supported through a series of regression analyses across separate employment outcomes. Overall, the finalized 17-item Sink or Swim Scale (SSS) demonstrated that it is a valid, practical, and shorter alternative to the OST scale. The subdivision of support also demonstrated the potential to act as a standalone measure of an employee’s socialization experience.