There is currently a huge demand for high-quality talent across most industries in Australia, and as a result, skilled candidates often have a wide range of options to choose from when looking for a new role. With so many opportunities constantly popping up, it can be tempting to dive in and apply broadly. But how do you know if a role is right for you and if the company will be one you can grow with in the long term?
By considering the organisation’s internal culture, you can determine whether a job is a good match for your needs, values and career trajectory.
Understanding Company Culture
At its most basic, cultural fit is the alignment between what an employee wants and what the company offers in relation to values, beliefs and behaviours. As an example, if you enjoy collaboration, a great cultural fit might be a company that places high importance on teamwork and team achievement.
Achieving the right cultural match results in employees enjoying a much higher level of job satisfaction, greater productivity and a longer tenure with the business. As these are highly attractive qualities in a role, it’s a good move to pause and reflect on what matters most to you in a company culture. A bit of research, a few carefully curated interview questions and some eagle-eyed observation will get you there.
The following steps will show you how to find a role with the right cultural fit.
1. Prioritise What’s Important
The first step is understanding the key things you’re looking for in a company culture, as these allow you to be both happy and successful in the role. Think about:
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Leadership and management style
Do you thrive with a manager who guides you as you work or someone who is very hands-off? -
Professional development
Is it essential you grow in your job, either laterally or up the ladder? Consider the type of professional development opportunities you’d like. -
Work flexibility
Perhaps you would like some flexibility around start or finish times to accommodate family commitments, or the chance to work from home. Is it important you can take extra leave for cultural or ceremonial reasons? -
Employee recognition
How do you like to be recognised for your work? It might be monetarily, through extra perks, verbally or a combination of these things. -
Connection at work
How crucial is it to develop connections with your colleagues? It could be through social work events, charity causes and so on. -
Diversity
Do you want to work for an organisation that prioritises diversity and makes a concerted effort to be inclusive?
2. Look for Evidence
Once you have your ‘culture wish list’, you can move onto the research phase. This involves checking the company’s culture pulse using their website, social and professional networking profiles.
Consider whether their website clearly states their vision, mission and values (essentially who they are and what they stand for). Do they have working examples to back it up (employee stories, photo gallery, articles by leaders or those within the team, as well as customer and employee testimonials)?
Review sites such as Glassdoor are also useful. However, it does pay to be a little cautious about what you find, as an unhappy employee is more likely to post a review than someone who is content in their role.
Another good research avenue is to draw upon your professional network. Do have any connections to someone who currently works at the company, or has done in the past? Making contact with them can be a great way to get an insider’s view on the culture, but remember to be discreet about who you speak to.
3. Cover Culture During Your Interview
A company that is proud of its work culture will showcase it during recruitment – from their job advertisement and job description, right through to interviews. They will also welcome questions from you on the topic, as this clearly shows how much you value cultural fit in the workplace, along with your genuine interest in the role.
Here are a few culture questions to consider in your interview:
- How would you describe your company culture in three words?
- How do you recognise employee achievements?
- What kinds of people succeed here?
- Is team bonding important and if so, how do you foster it?
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Why do you like working here?
4. Take an Office Tour
Employers will often offer you an office tour during your interview. If they don’t, ask if you could see the space where you might potentially work. As you tour, listen to your guide but also try to take in the lay of the land.
Do the employees seem happy? Are they interacting with each other or focused on their own tasks? Do they acknowledge you? How are the desks arranged and are there areas for casual interactions (kitchen, break out spaces etc)? Is the environment noisy, calm or a mix?
Once you have this intel and the interview is over, try to imagine yourself working there. Would you be happy in that environment?
5. Reach Out to a Recruiter
While you can gauge a company’s culture on your own to a certain extent, one of the best ways to get practical insight into the inner workings of an organisation is to ask your recruiter.
We can help you find the right cultural fit by:
- Working with you to understand your needs, as well as the employer’s company culture
- Only presenting you for roles we believe are the right fit
- Helping you weigh up the benefits of each role and workplace
- Assisting you in identifying what questions to ask about culture in an interview
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Supporting you as you decide whether to accept a job offer
At First People Recruitment Solutions, we specialise in both Indigenous and non-Indigenous recruitment for roles in a range of industries right across Australia. Want to learn more about how we can assist you in your search for that ideal company culture and job fit? Reach out to us today.
