Company Culture is a term that’s thrown around a lot these days. It could potentially be the top buzzword of the 21st century 😂
But it’s one of the few buzzwords that holds a lot of importance too.
It can mean different things for different people. But in essence, company culture is everything from the shared attitudes, values, ways of working, and overall vibe of a company.
It’s the habits of the people.
Knowing the type of culture you want to be immersed in will help you identify the traits in a company you want to work for.
Before jumping into researching a company, first ask yourself, “what kind of company culture do I want to work in?”
- Do you want an environment where there is a strong emphasis on career development?
- What about the company vision — how important is aligning with this to you?
- Do you want a social club?
Once we know what culture we want, we can find a company that matches this.
Here’s how 👇
Look At Their Social Media Pages 📱
Social media pages are a gold mine for information about the company culture. Go behind the scenes at the company, see the events they attend, and who their employees are. It’s a good idea to look into the leadership team of the company too. They often share insights into the company culture, and address things like values and vision in their posts.
Analyse The Job Descriptions 🧐
Because company culture plays such an important factor in attracting talent, many companies will highlight their culture in the job advertisements. Other than stating directly what theirs is, analyse the tone of voice, the style of language and the overall feeling you get when reading the job ad.
The company will always portray themselves in the best light possible, so you may feel it’s hard to get a good read on what it’s actually like. Look at what aspects are being emphasised, and consider what has been left out.
Reach Out To An Employee On LinkedIn 👋
This is quite a direct way to find out information, but could be very effective. The company’s LinkedIn page will usually have an employee list under the People tab. Connect with someone from the company, this could be from the same industry/department you are looking to work in. From there you can reach-out and ask for their thoughts and insight into the company culture.
Some may be more than happy to share information, while others may show some apprehension when answering these questions. Try to ask open-ended questions, that aren’t too pointed but are direct enough that you still get some valuable information.
Ask Questions At The Interview 🙋🏻♀️
Ideally you want to know a company’s culture before the interview, but you can always find out more in your discussion as well.
If you manage to get through to the interview stage (congrats!), then this is a great opportunity to ask the recruiter directly about the culture. This will not only give you clarity, but shows the recruiter you’re genuinely interested and curious about the role.
Final Thoughts 💭
Company culture is something you’re exposed to on a daily basis. If you end up somewhere that makes you feel uncomfortable, uninspired, or not appreciated, it makes work a place you no longer look forward to. On the other hand, finding the right company can make you excited to get out of bed, fulfilled, and a place where you feel safe.
Finding the right company culture starts with identifying what you want out of a company. It means being true to your authentic self, and doing what feels right.
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