Finding The Right Fit: Workplace Culture
Importance of Culture in the Workplace
Are you the type of person that thrives in open, community workspaces, or do you need your own quiet space to work?
Do you want ping-pong tournaments during lunch and a corporate cafeteria, or do you want to eat out most days?
Is wearing jeans at work important to you, or would you love to wear formal business attire every day?
Do you want a best friend at work, or do you prefer to keep your work and personal life separate?
These questions may seem silly to think about when you are searching for a job, but they are important. You are putting so much time and effort into finding a job, do you really want to leave after 6 months because you can’t stand the culture? It could easily happen if you don’t think through questions like those listed above before taking a job. The importance of workplace culture can’t be denied.
Workplace culture is different from company to company. Corporate vs. agency, government vs. private sector, small company vs. Fortune 500, locally owned vs. publicly owned. Each of these workplaces offer very different environments for their employees. There are a lot of options to consider as you search for a job that will be the perfect fit for you. Check out the company’s website and social media accounts to get a glimpse into what life would be like as an employee. If you have connections, ask a few people what they like and dislike about the workplace culture. If you have an interview, chat with the receptionist and other people you meet there.
Here are some great questions to ask if you want to find out more about a company’s culture (courtesy of The Muse’ “The Best Interview Questions to Ask if You Want the Truth About Company Culture”
What makes you proud to work at this company?
How does the organization support your professional development and career growth?
Is risk-taking encouraged, and what happens when people fail?
What’s one thing you would change about the company if you could?
What causes conflict, and how is conflict resolved?
How would you describe “organizational politics” at the company?
When and how do people like to give and receive feedback?
What are some of the ways the company celebrates success?
What kind of flexible work arrangements do people have?
Do you have a matching gifts program or sponsor local volunteer events?
What you learn can help you make the decision to accept or refuse a job offer.
EMPLOYERS
If you are an employer, acquiring, integrating, engaging, and retaining the right talent is critical to your future success. Turnover is expensive and wastes a lot of time - so let The Wilbanks Consulting Group help! Contact us today to discuss your strategic talent management, and how we can make your organization the top choice for candidates.
Let’s discuss the importance of workplace culture. Contact us.