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There’s nothing worse than starting a new job only to find out a few weeks later that the company culture just isn’t in alignment with your values or expectations. By actively seeking out answers before and during the interview process, you can get a better idea of what a company’s culture is like and make a more informed decision about taking the job.
Research, research, research.
Your first step is to look at the company’s website. Do they talk directly about their culture? Do they mention their values or their mission? Is there anything that gives insight into what working there might look like? Make note of both what you see and what you don’t see, as what isn’t said is often just as important as what is.
Next is to check out reviews of the company to see how employees describe working there. A word of wisdom – don’t take everything people say at face value. Remember that some people will absolutely hate working at a company and some will praise every aspect of working there. What you want to look for is consistency. Are more people happy or unhappy at the company? Is the same critique mentioned in more than one review? Are any of these things mentioned multiple times deal breakers for you?
You can also check industry publications to see if the company has been in the news recently. That could give you an indication if things are changing within the company either for better or for worse. Look for both positive and negative mentions of disruptions like a change of leadership, forecasted growth, employee strikes, or layoffs.
Go on informational interviews.
Once you have some baseline insight into the company culture, the next step is to reach out to people who are either currently working there or have worked there recently. Let them know that you’re thinking about applying for a job and ask if they’d be willing to chat with you. If you don’t know anyone directly, look for connections on LinkedIn. Keep the conversation professional and don’t ask questions that are too personal – you’re looking for an overview, not a detailed history.
Ask questions during your interview.
The trick to asking questions about company culture in an interview is to not ask directly, but rather to ask questions that allow the hiring manager to shed light on day to day work practice. Never ask a question that can be answered with only ‘yes’ or ‘no’.
To find out about day to day work, ask how teams collaborate and communicate. To find out about a company’s work policy, ask how they’ve made working from home successful and if flexible work policies will continue post-COVID. To find out if a company actively supports employee growth, ask about the opportunities for learning and development they provide. To find out if the company builds a sense of community, ask how often teams get together outside of working times.
Listen to what’s not being said.
Just as important as the answers to your questions is the way they’re answered. Is the hiring manager happy to answer your questions or do they seem reluctant? Do they have to take a long pause before answering? Do the answers feel rehearsed or forced?
You also want to listen to what’s being emphasized. Is there an emphasis on perks like free meals, ping pong tables, or nap pods? While there’s nothing wrong with free food, an over emphasis on perks rather than experiences can be an indicator that company culture is lacking.
Show up early to your interview.
Getting to your interview early gives you a chance to observe office life. While this isn’t a sure-fire way to gauge culture, you can see how happy (or unhappy) employees seem to be, get a feel for the overall vibe in the office, and watch how people communicate. This observation alone should not be decision-making, but it’s another helpful point of reference to factor in with everything else you’ve learned.
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September 01, 2020 at 05:30AM
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5 Ways To Learn About A Company’s Culture - Forbes
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