How to discover a company and its culture

Hello, there. If you just got a new job or are trying to get one, beyond trying to figure out how to excel in your interview or be a STAR employee, you also need to learn how to discover a company and its culture.

People often say you need to separate your work-life from your ‘real’ life but I beg to disagree. Work, just like love, family, and soft life, is also a part of your life as a wholesome human being walking the earth. This is why it’s important that you at least work in a place where you earn well, are respected, and get to do impactful and fulfilling work.

As you apply for jobs in a bid to make your daily 2k, it’s also important to consider the company culture and how well this culture fits into your life. Maybe ‘Fast-paced’ and ‘Ninja’ style is not your M.O  so I will share some insider hacks to help you figure out the company culture of an organization even when they tell you “We are one big happy family!”

Figuring out a company culture on the hiring manager’s words alone can be quite misleading because a lot of organizations do not really state these things clearly. Culture may include how people are promoted; how team members are allowed to take ownership of their work; communication style and all the complexities of work-life balance.

So before you sign that offer letter, let me teach you how to uncover the company culture of an organization CIA style.

1. Decide what you want: What kind of job are you looking for and what are your priorities? Do you prefer working solo or are you motivated by a cordial team environment? Do you love structure or do you prefer flexibility?  These are questions you need to ask yourself before you start digging into the company culture. If you don’t stand for something, you’ll fall for anything.

2. Do your research: Start with the company’s website and social media to see what the vibe is. Read through the company’s mission statement and also check out their careers page if they have one. Now don’t think you know everything yet ‘cos all that glitters is not gold. You can also check them out on Glassdoor for employee reviews. Another way to dig deeper is to just google the company; trust me, stuff can come up on Twitter or a blog that you’ve never heard of before.

3. Network: Turn on your LinkedIn and try to connect with former employees or people who currently work there. You just might find someone who’ll tell you to run for your life or not. 

4. Ask questions and observe: Whether it’s a remote job or a physical interview, you need to put your ears to the ground and pay attention to the general tone and vibe. Ask specific questions that will help you further unravel and better understand  the company’s culture:

Questions to ask HR

• How do you evaluate performance and growth here? 

• Is there room for employee development? Training?

• Is the company open to flexible work arrangements?

Questions to ask your potential Line-Manager

• What do you feel are the most valued traits among the leaders here?

• How do you set your team up for success?

• How do you communicate with your team?

Questions you can ask your Colleagues

• What do you love about working here?

• How are mistakes or errors addressed?

• Do you feel safe and appreciated here?

Be careful though. You don’t want to appear snoopy so approach every question with tact. Finally, put it all together, take a step back to analyze all the data you have, and most importantly, listen to your gut instinct.  

All the best!