Take initiative to find a great company culture that’s the right fit for you.
You’re looking for a job, perhaps even your first “real” job out of school. Awesome. Let’s talk about how to find a great company culture that’s the right fit for you. Here’s the lowdown on finding a great company culture, straight from Carnegie Mellon University.
5 Steps to Finding a Great Company Culture in Your Job Search
Hi Karin, I’m about to graduate from college and I’m starting to look for jobs. I’m trying to know whether these companies have a great company culture, and if I’m a good fit. What advice do you have #askingforafriend?
1. Do Your Research About The Company… (and look for patterns)
Start by doing your homework. Look for patterns in the stories and reviews you find online. And, take what you read with a grain of salt. A Glass Door review from a few frustrated employees isn’t necessarily a sign of a toxic work culture. Take a look at the frequency and consistency of the concerns.
2. Curiosity in Interviews: Your Secret Weapon
In interviews, switch on your curiosity mode. Come prepared with specific questions about what you value most. Don’t hold back, whether it’s diversity and inclusion, sustainability, work-life balance, remote team dynamics, or leadership styles. This is your chance to politely and confidently probe with important questions.
3. Manager Development: A Telltale Sign of Company Culture
A great company culture requires human-centered leadership. So, ask how a company invests in developing its managers. This is key, even if you’re not looking for a management role. You’re going to a boss. It will be better if they are a good one 😉
4. Talk to Your Future Coworkers in the Company
Before saying ‘yes’ to an offer, ask to chat with some of your future colleagues. Their insights can be incredibly revealing about the company’s culture. And hey, if you’ve only been talking to HR, definitely ask to meet your potential boss. If there’s hesitation on their end, consider that a red flag.
5. Self-Reflection: What Do You Want in Company Culture?
Last but not least, ask yourself what you want in a company culture. Reflect on how your desires align with what you’ve learned about the company. This self-awareness is crucial in finding a culture that resonates with you.
Finding the right fit in company culture is a vital part of your job search. It’s about ensuring that the place you’ll spend a significant chunk of your time is one where you can thrive, grow, and be your best self. Keep these tips in mind, and you’ll be well on your way to finding a company culture that feels like home.
Help build the culture you want, through better communication.
As you’ve noticed, we’ve been discussing workplace conflict and collaboration recently. It’s because we’ve been doing a lot of research, learning from people worldwide about their biggest workplace conflicts and what they would do differently next time. More on that research here.
In the meantime, check out our new book Powerful Phrases for Dealing with Workplace Conflict: What to Say Next to Destress the Workday, Build Collaboration, and Calm Difficult Customers, and some of our new conflict and collaboration programs.
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