21 October 2021
How to decide if a company’s work culture is right for you
The coronavirus pandemic has led to many people revaluating their attitudes to their jobs, and work in general. Financial remuneration is no longer the be-all and end-all of what job seekers look for when considering accepting an offer. Job seekers are more likely, now, to be swayed by things such as flexibility, learning opportunities and of course a company’s work culture, than simply looking at the salary offered. But just how can you tell if the way a company does things is right for you? Here are some tips.
Know thyself
To begin with, you first need to ask yourself what you want. It’s easy to say but in practice very hard to do. For example, do you want a fast-paced role in which you can quickly advance the corporate ladder in return for lots of sleepless nights? Or would you prefer a more laidback kind of job – one which demands less of you but is less financially rewarding and will take you on a longer route to the top?
Speak to your peers
The easiest way to find out about a company’s work culture is to talk to people who currently, or used to, work there. This can be tricky, especially if your interviews have all been held virtually, but speak to friends and look online to see if you can find anyone willing to have a five-minute chat.
Ask them what they like and dislike about the job, but also consider if you ‘gel’ with them. If someone seems content with their job and you feel a certain affinity with them then it’s a good indicator as to whether you would also enjoy working there too.
It’s important to remember, however, that a company’s culture can vary greatly by department, job role, location and of course time. For this reason speak to people who perform similar roles to the one you’re applying for, if you’re speaking to ex-employees of the company try to ensure they only left within the last two years.
Consider the values of the organisation
The values of an organisation are more than something they put on the ‘about us’ section of their website. They underpin all that they do and will be apparent in various factors of the business such as the amount of trust it places upon its employees (and the trust their clients/customers place upon it) as well as things such as inclusivity, flexibility and more.
If you find an organisation whose values align with your own, you’re more likely to feel fulfilled day-to-day and find it easier to get out of bed each morning for work.
Do some online snooping
Once you’ve looked into the core values of a company, it’s time to dive a little deeper. Look on websites such as Glassdoor to get a better understanding of the structure and daily operations of the organisation. Don’t just look for red flags, try to find out things like which will influence if a role is right for you specifically such as:
- How much autonomy do people in your position get?
- How long on average do people stay with the company?
- Are bonuses paid out on an individualistic basis or for overall team success?
Pay attention to your gut
Finally, it’s a cliché but pay attention to your gut. If you left an interview with a bad feeling about a company, it’s probably for good reason even if all of your research indicated good things. Just because something is right for others doesn’t mean it’s right for you.
Looking for a new job with a work culture that fits you?
Talk to Hunter Selection, our consultants are experts in finding the right people for the right roles. Talk to us about what you want, and we’ll find it!