How to Find the Right Cultural Fit

When you are job hunting, do you think more about finding a company that will boost your career, one that substantially increases your salary, or one that has a culture that appeals to you?

Behavior based interviewing experts say that, if you are looking to enhance your happiness (and productivity) at work, you should look first at the organizational culture. That is the way to find the right company fit for you—one that challenges, inspires and fulfills you.

Here are 2 tips on evaluating a company’s culture:

1. Look at senior management. They are likely to reflect the culture. Are they mostly entrepreneurs? Then they are apt to move fast and value innovation. Are they more traditional in their education and career paths? Then they may look more at experience and value systematic thinking.
2. Do some digging into what is said about the company. Research what the leaders say, what customers write, and how employees describe their organization. You will get a good sense for how the leaders communicate, how the company treats its customers, and what kinds of employees are hired and stay on.

Then compare what you have learned with your own expectations, goals and values. When there is a good match, you have found a culture in which you will be happy.