How to learn about an organisation’s culture

Feb 07, 2009

FINALLY, there is a job opening you have dreamed of and the recruiting manager wants to interview you for the third time. You believe you have the perfect skills for the position and stand a high chance of receiving the offer.

By Fred Ouma

FINALLY, there is a job opening you have dreamed of and the recruiting manager wants to interview you for the third time. You believe you have the perfect skills for the position and stand a high chance of receiving the offer.

The responsibilities, title and salary are all in line with your goals. But how much do you know about the most significant factor in determining your eventual on-the-job satisfaction: the corporate culture?

A firm’s culture includes everything from the values employees hold and the way workers interact with each other to the dress code. When you are in a position that puts you at odds with the employer’s culture, you will find it tough to remain excited about the job.
If you are job-hunting, here’s how to evaluate a prospective employer’s corporate culture to ensure it’s the right fit for you.

Do your homework

The Internet makes it easy to gather hints about a firm’s culture. Start by visiting the company’s website and look at sections labelled “About Us” or “What We Do.” Many have areas for prospective employees that include information about the benefits.

Patrick Okee, a workplace researcher, says the tone of a firm’s website and the information about executives offers a glimpse into the culture. “Is the writing formal or playful? Does what you see and read mesh with your own values?” he asks.

If it’s a public company, you should be able to locate the organisation’s annual report online. Examine it for more hints. The report may include information about community relations or work/life balance initiatives.
Searching news websites and business portals can also be helpful. “You could uncover information about awards the company has won. Conversely, you may learn the organisation has received negative press coverage recently,” says Okee.

Seek clues during interviews

Fatmah Nabukalu, a human resources practitioner, says interviews can provide a number of opportunities to evaluate a firm’s culture, although you have to pick up on subtle hints. For example, consider the employees you see as you wait in the lobby. Do they seem hurried and stressed or relaxed?

Do workers greet each other with smiles and conversation or glances and grunts? If you’re being interviewed before or after typical working hours, how many employees are around?

What you observe can provide valuable insight into everything from interpersonal relationships to expected working hours.
Once the interview begins, be attuned to the hiring manager’s behaviour. “If s/he is unprepared or unable to give you specifics about the position, it could signal large-scale disorganisation,” says Nabukalu. “Or if the hiring process drags on, this could be a clue that the company is slow in making decisions.”

Remember, however, that your interpretations of these details are subjective. If one person is rude to you, for instance, s/he may simply be having an off day. In addition to observing the workplace, experts suggest asking the interviewer some questions. How does the company reward success? How are projects initiated and executed? What is the average tenure among employees in the department?

Chat with employees
The best source of information about a company’s culture is a current or former employee. These individuals are likely provide you with feedback that is more candid than what you may see online or hear from the recruiting manager.

“When you visit the firm for your interview, request an introduction to those with whom you will be working with,” Okee says. “Ask them what their typical work day is like.”

Also, reach out to members of your professional network or fellow job-seekers you have met, all of whom may be able to put you in touch with someone who knows the company intimately. Get opinions from many individuals so that you can have a balanced evaluation before making a final decision.

Fitting comfortably into an employer’s corporate culture is vital to your career success. “While good pay, a nice office and stellar benefits can boost an uninspiring workplace, nothing trumps a genuine sense of belonging, and the truth is, you will work best where you feel the most comfortable,” notes Ruth Ssenyonyi, a counsellor.

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