Align Your Career for the Best Culture Fit
As a job seeker, it is important to look not only at the role you will be playing, but where you will be
playing it. You don’t want to land in the wrong sandbox.
The importance of a good cultural fit and positive office environment should not be treated as the step child. Accepting a job within an organization that is not aligned with your style can turn into a nightmare. (Think Cinderella’s coach turning back into a pumpkin before the clock strikes midnight.)
If doesn’t work out, you will have a short-tenured position on your résumé that may throw a proverbial wrench in future job searches. How can you protect yourself from accepting a role within an organization that might be wrong for you?
Know Yourself: Consider taking a personality assessment with a professional career expert to determine the type of environment that would be most suitable for you. At Careers Done Write, we offer DISC assessments. By understanding your strengths and motivations, and working with a career coach, you will be in a better position to understand the personality characteristics and drivers that will facilitate your success within the organization you are targeting.
Ask Questions: Find out the company’s specific philosophy. What are their values? Do those values coincide with yours? Question the interviewer about why she joined the company. What does she like about the organization? How did she find the assimilation process when she first joined? Point blank: Does she like it there? Ask if you would be a good fit based on what they have observed about you thus far.
Request a Tour: If it’s appropriate, you should take a look around the office. After all, if you hate cubicles, this might not be the place for you. Observe the work areas. Do people bring photos from home? Are there holiday decorations? Do the staff members seem content or contentious? Imagine yourself at the company and ask yourself whether or not you would feel at home. You might also have the opportunity to speak to some other people. By all means, do it! This will give you greater insight into the culture.
Know the CEO: Inquire about the philosophy of the CEO. Gather as much information about his history, attitudes, and modus operandi. Is his way of doing things in line with your core values? Corporate culture comes from the top down.
Conduct Research: There are a variety of internet sites that offer information provided by past and present employees about the pros and cons of working at a company. Glassdoor is one of the leading resources. Take advantage of the insight others have in order to make decisions about whether or not a given firm is a good culture fit for you.
While it might be tempting to accept a role that is offered to you, do your homework first. Take the rose colored glasses off so you can look at the situation with a critical eye in the light of day. Take your time! Don’t be the fool rushing in. Decisions made in haste can result in regret.
Determine the drivers that will make you happy and productive in a new working environment so you can direct your job search accordingly. You cannot put a square peg in a round hole.