Every company has its own culture – namely, how it gets the work done, the procedures and policies it relies on, how all the people in it treat each other, and the overall environment of the workplace. Think of the company culture as the personality of the company – while some companies have a stricter culture where people must follow strict schedules and wear suits, others may have a more relaxed atmosphere, with flexible work hours and transparent communication. When it comes to finding a job, employees often consider factors such as role and salary, but company culture can be just as important when it comes to professional growth and overall career fulfilment. A company with a positive culture will always put employees’ wellbeing at the forefront, making it more unlikely for you to be one of those unfortunate employees who experience an injury at work. According to Personal Injury Claims UK experts, this isn’t an uncommon occurrence – employees often make compensation claims after suffering an injury at work due to the negligence of their employer who breached their duty of care.
But how can you tell whether a company is the right fit for you when hunting for a new job, anyway? After all, you’re only going to interviews, and you cannot really see how the company’s environment is. Luckily, there are some ways you can assess organisational culture in your job search, and we will explore them in detail below, so read on!
Understand the company’s values
Before applying for a job, consider looking at the company's core values – you should be able to find them on its website. Why is it imperative to understand the values of an organisation? They are the guiding principles that will impact every single decision and action of the company – in other words, they can reveal a lot about the overall culture. Some examples of organisational values include honesty, innovation, transparency, high-quality work, and customer service excellence, to name a few. Once you identify the values of a specific company, you’ll want to ask yourself whether they resonate with your own priorities and beliefs because this will help ensure you’ll be fulfilled once you start working there.
Check the job description and benefits package
Don’t underestimate the importance of the job description in helping you determine whether a company is the right cultural fit for you. By checking aspects such as the language used and the priorities highlighted in the job description, you can get a sense of the company’s vision and values and what it would be like to work for such a company. Is there a focus on collaboration, innovation, work-life balance, and flexibility? Check aspects that interest you the most, and if you don’t get much from the job description itself, look at the benefits package, which will often detail the specifics of company culture in a more direct way. Perks such as professional development opportunities, flexible scheduling, and wellness programs often indicate an organization's commitment to support their team's wellbeing.
Don’t hesitate to ask questions during the interview
If you’ve gotten to the interview stage, take advantage of this opportunity and ask questions about the company’s culture. Consider requiring information about the organisation’s approach to professional development, the dynamics of the team, the management style, employee satisfaction, and anything else that you find relevant and could help you gain valuable insight into what it is like to work within this organisation. The responses you will receive will help you decide whether the organisation’s values align with your own, ensuring you will land a job that allows you to grow professionally. Get prepped for interviews ahead of time and explore our article Best Answer For What Are Your Salary Expectations?
Assess the company’s commitment to diversity and inclusion
When trying to understand a company's culture, it’s also important to figure out whether they are committed to diversity and inclusion. Why? It’s pretty straightforward: a diverse workforce means a more innovative environment where employees’ ideas are welcomed, and their growth is always supported. So, when doing your research on a company, make sure to check their diversity policies, representation in leadership positions, and inclusion initiatives. Everyone wants to feel like they belong – and since you’ll spend a lot of time in the workplace, it’s essential to ensure your voice and perspective will be taken into account in the decision-making process and that you will be able to talk comfortably about yourself without facing stereotypes.
Read employees’ testimonials about the company
Employee testimonials provide a glimpse into the real experiences of those who’ve already worked in the company you’re considering, and there are different platforms you can use to check reviews, such as LinkedIn or a simple search on Google. When reading testimonials, there are a few aspects you should pay attention to, such as leadership style, management, growth opportunities, and work-life balance, to name a few. While reviews can be relevant and helpful when deciding to work at a specific company, we encourage you to be mindful of employees who leave extremely negative comments, as these remarks may not always reflect a situation accurately.
Notice how people in the company communicate with each other (and with you)
While reviews from former employees can indeed be helpful when deciding whether a company can support your professional growth, don’t underestimate your personal experience, either. Listen to your gut feeling when assessing an organisation's culture – what kind of vibe do you get in the office when going to an interview? How do employees interact with one another? Also, pay attention to the interactions between you and the interviewer as well, because the way they communicate with you can tell a lot about the work environment. If you notice tension or disengagement, these could be signs that the workplace culture may not be healthy.
The bottom line
When it comes to organisational culture, your goal should be to land an employer that puts in the effort to create a work environment where every single employee feels empowered and supported to grow personally and professionally. Cultural fit is often disregarded when looking for a job, but this is an important factor to consider because it can result in a satisfying work experience. When your vision and values align with the values of your company, you are more likely to be motivated to get the job done, and you feel more connected with team members and other people in the organisation. On the contrary, a mismatch in company culture will make you feel disconnected from work and lead to frustration and stress. So, when hunting for a job, remember the aspects discussed in this article so you can uncover a fulfilling work experience!