Finding a job is nothing short of challenging. Aside from considering the salary, the workload and challenges of the role, or the company brand and reputation, it’s also crucial to consider the workplace culture or the “cultural fit” to make sure you’re working in a company that shares your values and beliefs. Because no matter how alluring the perks or benefits that come with the job offer are, it will not overshadow a toxic work environment or incompatible culture.
What is cultural fit?
Every business has their own brand and personality, and with it comes their workplace culture. According to The Balance, workplace culture plays out in the daily interactions of workers with their teammates, managers, subordinates, and customers. Culture manifests itself in the organization’s communication, decision making and priorities, treatment of customers, daily work practices, expectations of honesty, integrity, and achievement, among others.
Cultural fit, according to BreatheHR, is essentially all about matching people with business culture. It doesn’t mean everyone who works for the organization should be the same, but more about sharing the same goals, values, and attitudes with your potential new employer. This is why it’s also crucial to have a sense of the type of culture you’re looking for and what matters to you most during your job search. Do you want to work for an organization that places high priority on sustainability? Do you prefer a company that values their employees’ hard work and dedication through additional perks, training, and incentives?
Here are several ways you can know if the employer offers the kind of culture fit where you can grow both personally and professionally.
Doing some background research on their potential new employer is a must for any job seeker. You can tell a lot about a business or an organization by checking their company website. Specifically, check for the company’s mission and core values. Even the pictures and photos on their culture pages, press articles, or any releases are helpful tools that will give you a glimpse into the world you could soon be a part of.
But no matter how great-looking their company website is, that was just the start. Their social media pages are also a great way to see what sort of workplace environment they are promoting and portraying. Browsing their photo gallery and reviewing previous posts can help you gauge the company’s personality. You might also want to see how the organization is staying relevant and engaged with their industry’s issues and trends.
It might also be helpful to look at reviews of the company to get other opinions. Check the reviews of current and former employees on their social media, or on sites like LinkedIn and Glassdoor. See if the majority of employees are saying positive things about the company, and don’t mind too much if there’s one or two negative feedback. That’s generally an indication that a company treats its employees well, which simply says a lot about their culture.
Since a job interview isn’t just a one-way street, it’s also a great opportunity to figure out if the company is the right cultural fit for you. You just need to make sure you develop and ask the right questions. Go beyond the usual “What’s your company culture?” and consider asking specific questions whose answers can give you a sense of what the company is like on a day to day basis, such as:
How do employees give and receive feedback?
How does the company support individual career growth and professional development?
How does the company recognize success and accomplishments of individuals?
What’s the best thing about working here? or, Why do you like working here?
Don’t be afraid to ask your interviewer these kinds of questions. Because while there are no right or wrong answers, they can help you determine if the company is a good cultural fit for you or there’s some cultural fit mismatch, which you could regret later on.
There’s no better way to guide your judgement and decisions when comparing company cultures than knowing your own values and beliefs. These things define who you are, guide your decisions, and serve as your motivation to be a better employee. Aside from comparing the salary, perks, and other benefits, make sure you also consider the company culture and what values are most important to you. This way, you’ll have an easier time connecting with the company and help you achieve satisfaction and fulfillment in your career.#