Is It a Good Fit? 5 Ways to Explore Company Culture Beyond the Interview
We all know that company culture is an important aspect to consider when evaluating potential employers. The culture of a company is crucial to our experience as employees, and yet it can be a hard thing to ascertain in the interview process alone.
The last thing any job seeker wants is to accept a position to learn later that it isn’t a good fit based on culture. This happened to me once and if you’ve ever been in this position, you know what I’m talking about!
If you’re in the market, here are some thoughts on ways you can learn more about a company beyond the interview.
1. If possible, visit the company’s physical office space. This can give you a sense of the interactions taking place, the mood and tone of the office, and the layout.
2. Network. This is a big research category and by far the most effective. It also takes some time. Well before you get to the offer, or even an interview, engage in conversation to learn more about the company, the experience of working there, team dynamics, collaboration, and values. Let’s breakdown a few ideas for this:
Reach out to professionals in your industry who may have insights into the company you’re considering. Look at industry events, workshops, or online forums including LinkedIn groups where you can interact with people who have worked or are currently working for the company.
Also, look for professionals on LinkedIn you have something in common with such as fellow alums. If they have worked for your company of interest, ask for a 15-minute informational interview. This can provide an opportunity to have candid conversations about company culture without the pressure that comes with formal interviews. Shy about reaching out? For the most part, people want to help. Most can relate to these requests understanding that they themselves have been in this position or may be in the future. Reach out to as many people as you can.
Don’t forget about the people you already know. Leverage your current network by contacting people you know who have worked for the company you are checking out. Ask them about their experiences. And, ask who else they know whom they recommend you speak with. Keep the ball rolling to learn more.
3. Checkout Glassdoor. This is a site that provides inside information from employees themselves on topics such as salary, CEO approval rankings, company reviews, and more. This is a great place option to learn valuable information. Just like with any written reviews, be sure to consider input from a variety of sources. A small number of negative reviews may not accurately represent the entire culture.
4. Review the company website and social media pages. What are the company values? Does the company speak to diversity and inclusion? What about employee engagement? If there is mention of these things on the site, it’s generally a good sign, but you will still want to do more research.
5. Look for recent news reports. What has been happening with the company lately? If there have been acquisitions or big changes in leadership, this could indicate shifts in company direction and culture. Also, take a look at the D&B Hoovers database for everything you could possibly want to know about the company. There is a cost for access, though you can begin with a free trial.
Company culture is often complex and multifaceted. Focus on gathering information from a variety of sources for a well-rounded perspective. And, trust your gut. What are your instincts telling you based on the people you’ve met and the research you’ve done? If something feels off or doesn’t align with your values, this could be an indicator that you may want to keep looking.
Interested in setting strategy for your job search? Follow me on LinkedIn or be in touch to schedule a conversation. I would love to hear from you!
