How to Assess a Company Culture During a Job Interview

by · Published · Updated

Assessing a company culture during a job interview is crucial to ensuring a successful and fulfilling career. The culture of a company can significantly impact your day-to-day work experience, job satisfaction, and overall success. Therefore, it is important to understand the company culture before accepting a job offer. Here are some tips for assessing a company culture during a job interview:

  1. Research the company: Before the interview, do your research on the company. Look for information on their mission statement, values, and work culture. You can also check out employee reviews on sites like Glassdoor to get a better understanding of what it’s like to work at the company.
  2. Observe the work environment: When you arrive for the interview, take note of the work environment. Does it seem busy and fast-paced, or quiet and relaxed? Are the employees engaged and collaborative, or do they seem disinterested and disconnected? These observations can give you insight into the company’s work culture.
  3. Ask about company values: During the interview, ask the interviewer about the company’s values and how they are implemented in the workplace. This can give you an idea of the company’s priorities and what they expect from their employees.
  4. Listen to the interviewer’s language: Pay attention to the language used by the interviewer. Do they talk about teamwork and collaboration, or do they focus on individual achievements? Do they emphasize work-life balance, or do they expect employees to work long hours? These cues can give you insight into the company’s priorities and expectations.
  5. Observe other employees: If possible, observe other employees while you are at the company. Do they seem happy and engaged, or stressed and overworked? Are they friendly and collaborative, or do they keep to themselves? These observations can give you a sense of the company’s work culture and whether it is a good fit for you.
  6. Trust your instincts: Finally, trust your instincts. If something feels off during the interview or visit to the company, it may not be the right fit for you. Similarly, if you get a good feeling about the company culture, it may be a good match for your values and career goals.
  7. Ask about what integrity means to them. If they have any integrity then they will be able to explain what integrity is and how the company is going to help its employees hold the value of integrity. For example, this could be less pollution, aligning with a higher power and purpose or having accountability sessions.

In conclusion, assessing a company culture during a job interview is critical to ensuring a successful and fulfilling career. By researching the company, observing the work environment and other employees, and listening to the interviewer’s language, you can gain insight into the company’s priorities and work culture. Trust your instincts and remember to prioritize a work culture that aligns with your values and career goals.