How to determine a company's culture

Sometimes a company’s advertised culture and what it's truly like to work there are two very different things. As a potential employee, it’s up to you to decide if the culture is the right fit for you! Get the inside scoop on what company culture is ALL about with the tips below.

What is company culture?

A company’s culture is the shared values, beliefs, and practices of an organization’s employees and leaders are the components of a company’s culture. These beliefs and practices determine how employees and management treat each other and interact with clients, customers, and shareholders.

Check out the company’s mission

This can be found directly on their website. Read it and see if you share their point of view and what they are working towards. What does the company’s mission statement say about them?

Read reviews

Check out reviews on social channels as well as Glassdoor. Find out what current or past employees are saying about that company. What are they singing their praises about and what did they dislike?

Questions to ask during an interview:

• How do you measure success?

This question will help you determine if your future employer is going to have unrealistic expectations. Make sure you feel confident to go after what they explain they will be expecting of you. If you aren’t then this might not be the right place for you. An employer that demands LONG workdays, for example, may not be a good fit, but if you like to work a ton it will be perfect.

• Do you hold company events or have you in the past?

This will reveal if they are all work and no play as well as how they treat their employees. A company will most likely have a holiday party at the very least, but some may not. This can be an indicator that the employees at that business weren’t truly valued.

• How often will I meet with my supervisor or team?

This will tell you the level of communication that happens within the company. You do not want to feel isolated and confused, so check in’s are important especially in a work from home role!

Other important things to look for

-How decisions are made (you want to make sure things are organized)

-How decisions are communicated to the employees (clear communication is KEY)

-How employees are recognized (appreciation is SO important)

-Interaction among departments (how will you interact with others that you work with)

-Interaction among managers (how do managers communicate and treat one another)

Remember that once you determine the company’s culture you will know if they are the right fit for you!

Which companies are you interested in working for now?