There is nothing worse than landing a job in a great company, only to realize that the cultural fit isn't a match. However, there are ways to assess a corporate culture to avoid this potentially disastrous situation. Here are some tips to help assess cultural "fit" in 40 minutes or less.
The cultural compatibility between an employer and candidate is critical for the long-term success of the relationship. Yet, it's what candidates are most likely to overlook during their job search because they believe that they are unable learn about the company culture until they are already in the door. In fact, assessing the culture of a company can begin well before the interview process.
Pre-interview
Ask your network. Use Linkedin, Jigsaw, Ryze and other networking tools to query your network and determine if anyone you know has worked at the company or knows someone who has so that you can inquire about the culture.
Invite current employees of the company to join your network and ask for their first-hand experience with the company.
Check out the website and see if they have any employee testimonials. If so, do they seem authentic or scripted?
While you interview
Observe everything. Evaluate all that you see and hear and everyone you meet during the interview process, beginning with when you walk in the door.
First impression. What is the office space like and can you see yourself working in it?
Dress code. Are current employees dressed professionally, business casual or do they look like they just rolled out of bed?
Energy level. Is the office buzzing, quiet or chaotic?
Personal Effects. Do people have pictures, toys and other forms of self -expression in their work area? Does it fit with how you like your office?
Desktops. Do they have the latest laptops, 1980s desktops or something in between?
Question everything. Don't be afraid to ask questions about the culture and the things you are seeing and hearing.
Company behavior. Do they promote from within, sponsor team lunches or encourage professional development? If the answer is yes, ask for specific examples. Ask each person you meet to describe the company culture and notice if you get consistent responses.
Ask each person you meet with how long they have been with the company. If you feel you haven't met enough people, ask if there are other members of the organization you can speak to about their experience.
In short, remember that you are interviewing them just as much as they are interviewing you, so the more information you can glean about the culture, the more you can compare it to your own observations. With this information in hand, you are better equipped to make an informed decision about a company's culture and whether it's the best fit for you.
Cheri Paulson is senior vice president and director of operations for Keystone Partners, a career management firm in Boston.
