The Role of Corporate Culture in Your Job Search

Although it is often marginalized, company culture is crucial in every job. It’s what builds the atmosphere, affects how you are treated, and even what opportunities you may have in a given organization. This is why it’s crucial to know the types of company cultures and how to ask the right questions about them during job interviews. In this article, we focus exactly on that—read on to find out more!

Understanding Corporate Culture and Its Importance

Corporate culture refers to the values, attitudes, behaviors, and standards that build the work environment in a given company. It’s what builds the atmosphere and everyday experience in a workplace. Why is it important?

Company culture is the source of expectations. These may be applied to different areas of work, namely:

• What needs to be done?
• How should it be done?
• Who should do it?
• How should teams interact and collaborate?

As such, it’s responsible for employee safety, satisfaction, and engagement. A good company culture impacts your willingness to remain loyal to an organization, while a bad one might prompt you to look for a job elsewhere.

Different Types of Company Cultures

You could generally divide corporate cultures into different types based on their characteristics. Here’s a brief overview of the most important ones:

• Clan—A highly collaborative culture where employee feedback and atmosphere are crucial.
• Hierarchy—A highly organized culture, in contrast to the Clan. The roles are clearly defined, as is the chain of command.
• Adhocracy—A highly flexible culture promoting creativity and the development of the employees.
• Market—A highly competitive culture. Here, the employees are encouraged to be ambitious, and the results are what truly matters.
• Strong leadership culture—A highly centric culture. Here, one leader group is responsible for setting the workplace’s goals, purpose, and vision.

How to Evaluate Company Culture During the Job Search?

What is the recipe for finding your next job opportunity in a company with a corporate culture that suits you? Here, you need a mix of:

• Employer reviews—Portals like Glassdoor or Indeed contain reviews from former (or current) employees, which might give you valuable insights about a company’s culture.
• Company websites and social media—Don’t base your decision solely on them, but treat them as a valuable source of information. Look at the tone of voice, the photos containing the employees (for instance, on integrational events), and the personal branding within the company.
• Industry events—The best way to evaluate company culture is to see it in practice, and you can do that at industry events where the members of your target organization are present. You can even chat and network with them to test the waters.
• Job interviews—You should also use job interviews to get more information.

Company Culture Interview Questions: What Should You Ask About?

What questions should you ask during a job interview to learn more about the corporate culture in the company of your choice? We’ve prepared a short list that will help you get the answers you need.

• What is your management style?
• What is the dress code?
• What is the best part of working here?
• How does the company support professional development?
• How often do you give feedback? What form does it take?
• What are the company’s main values, mission, and vision?
  • Note: You should check whether the mission and vision statement aren’t published on the company website or on the social media profiles!
• Is risk-taking encouraged, and what happens when people fail?
• When and how do people like to give and receive feedback?
• Is your company committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion?
• Is the work arrangement flexible?
• What causes conflicts in the company, and how are they resolved?

The Takeaway

Evaluating corporate culture with the right questions during the interview and with good research is crucial for finding a workplace where you will thrive. After all, the culture needs to match your character and personality; otherwise, you will feel uncomfortable or unhappy at the workplace, which could lead to burnout or a job change. Nevertheless, don’t worry—you now know how to ask about company culture, so you’re ready to find the perfect fit!

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