A company’s culture is defined by its mission, vision, and core values. These characteristics set a foundation for the goals, expectations, and ethics that define employees’ behavior at every level.
Companies can have a variety of cultures. For instance, whereas some companies have a team-based culture, others support individual accomplishments. Also, some companies have hierarchical management, while others are more casual.
Working for a company whose culture aligns with your values is essential for long-term success. This provides motivation to work individually and collaboratively to reach company goals.
Discover three ways to learn about a company’s culture before accepting a job offer
1. Online Research
Use the organization’s website to research the company’s culture. Pay close attention to the mission statement and careers page to help determine the organization’s values and priorities.
Gain insight into what working for the organization is like. Look for details on compensation, benefits, awards, and other relevant information.
Visit the organization’s social media pages to learn about the company’s priorities. Use your findings to determine whether to accept a job offer from the organization.
2. Employee Feedback
Read employer reviews to determine what current and former employees have to say about the company’s culture. Look for positive and negative patterns in employee feedback.
Use LinkedIn to connect with current and former employees. Ask them to share honest feedback about the company’s culture. Use what you learn to determine whether to accept the company’s job offer.
3. Job Interview
Arrive early for your interview to observe the office environment. Focus on the energy and how the employees interact:
- Do the employees appear happy to work for the organization?
- Are the employees friendly to you?
- Would you enjoy working in the environment?
Ask about the company’s culture during your interview. Consider choosing from the following questions:
- How would you describe the company’s culture?
- What makes the company’s culture unique?
- How would you describe the work environment?
- What do you like best about working here?
- Which activities do you participate in outside of work hours?
Focus on your experience during the interview process. This provides an indication of what it would be like working for the organization.
Reflect on the following issues:
- Were you treated professionally?
- Did you talk with different employees?
- How comfortable did you feel throughout the interview process?
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