This article reports on a research project which sought to investigate the expectations and preferences of postgraduate students entering the job market in archives and records management in the United Kingdom. One of the objectives of the research was to find explanations for the varying levels of response to advertised vacancies. The article offers insights into the factors and influences that can determine whether new entrants to the profession decide to apply for a particular job vacancy, and provides some recommendations for employers seeking to fill entry-level posts.