Need more satisfaction with your job? You likely don’t work for a company with a good culture.
Maybe you joined a company because you heard they have a good culture, but you should have investigated that further. After a few months on the job, you realize people don’t practice what they preach. Or the ‘good workplace culture’ doesn’t align with your values, beliefs, and behaviors.
What Is Good For One Person May Not Be Good For You.
For example, you like team collaboration, but the company culture is competitive. You prefer a flexible schedule due to your caregiver’s demands, but the company wants everyone in the office for five days every week. Or, the manager doesn’t provide any feedback, but you thrive with guidance and open conversations.
You can only thrive long-term in a company if its culture aligns with your values. Before you accept a job offer, you need to learn what you can do to explore if the company culture and values will provide what you need to succeed.
By the end of this read, you’ll know what a good company culture is, my 3Rs strategy for company culture, and how to implement it during your job search.
Table of Contents
What Does Company Culture Mean?
According to Forbes, company culture represents the living, breathing persona of a company, capturing the norms, values, and behaviors that define the character of a business.
It encompasses the values, beliefs, attitudes, behaviors, and standards employees share as an organization.
Components Of Organizational Culture
Culture is like the ‘personality traits’ of the company and how people do things around the workplace. Those personality traits influence people’s reactions to change, how they feel about their work, and how they behave and interact with each other.
Finding a good company culture is essential if you work in a toxic work environment or if you dislike crucial aspects of your current workplace: how you receive feedback, how your manager leads the team, the way the company conducts business, how people deal with office gossip and politics, etc.
If you are ready to explore the job market, it’s crucial to understand what you value in a company before you begin sending out applications.
10 Examples of Good Company Culture
Creating a positive company culture is crucial for the well-being and success of individuals and the organization. Here are some examples of what constitutes a good company culture characteristics.
1. Inclusive Environment
The environment is welcoming of diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences.
There is an emphasis on equality and fairness in all aspects of the workplace.
2. Work-Life Balance
Leadership encourages a healthy balance between work and personal life.
The company offers flexible working arrangements to accommodate individual needs.
3. Open Communication
There is an emphasis on transparent communication at all levels.
Feedback is not only welcomed but actively sought and valued.
4. Employee Development
Commitment to continuous learning and professional growth.
Opportunities for skill development, mentorship, and career advancement.
5. Recognition and Appreciation
Regular acknowledgment of employees’ contributions.
Recognition programs that celebrate achievements and milestones.
6. Health and Well-being Initiatives
Programs promoting physical and mental well-being.
Supportive measures for maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
7. Team Collaboration
Leadership fosters a collaborative and supportive team environment.
Managers encourage teamwork, knowledge sharing, and mutual respect.
8. Purpose-Driven Values
The company has an alignment with a higher purpose beyond profit.
A commitment to making a positive impact on society or the environment.
9. Clear Mission and Vision
Well-defined mission and vision statements that inspire employees.
Understanding of how individual roles contribute to the overall mission.
10. Employee Empowerment
Trust in employees to make decisions and take ownership.
Empowerment through autonomy and a sense of responsibility.
Remember, a good company culture is dynamic and evolves with the needs of its employees. It’s a living, breathing entity that reflects the values and aspirations of the people within the organization.
Practice The 3 Rs To Help You Find Good Company Culture
Once you know what you want in your next role, it’s time to find companies that match your values. While the perfect company doesn’t exist, you can find a few that could help you thrive in your career.
Before you apply for a job, practice my 3 Rs strategy to help you find a good company culture:
Step 1 – Research The Company
Avoid applying for a job before learning about the company. Here are some things to keep in mind when researching a company:
- Read as much information as possible about the company online.
- Go to the company website and check what they say about culture (mission, vision, etc.).
- Read their LinkedIn page. What are they posting about? What are they engaging with?
- Search for review websites and see what people are saying about the company.
After your research, ask yourself these questions:
- Do I see any red flags?
- Do I have a must-have item on my job search list that doesn’t align with the company? (For example, a flexible work schedule).
Things To Consider When Evaluating A Job
Must-have items are a few things you can’t negotiate because they are essential and align with your values, beliefs, etc. For example, you want to be home every day by 6 pm to eat dinner with the family, but the job requires you to commute for 2 hours and doesn’t allow remote work.
Nice-to-have items are things you would like to have, but if you don’t, you can still be okay with the job. For example, the job allows remote work, but you must be available during core hours from 10 am to 3 pm.
Reflect on your must-haves and nice-to-haves. If something is a nice-to-have, evaluate how not having that item would impact your decision to work for a company. As long as you get the few must-have items on your list, it’s okay to compromise on an item or two that are nice to have. No workplace culture will be perfect.
Research helps you understand the culture before applying for the job, and it’s an essential step to set you up for success.
Step 2 – Reach Out
After your research, reach out to a few people at the company you are applying to and ask one or two culture-related questions that are crucial for you to accept a job offer. It’s time to use LinkedIn to your advantage.
- Reach out to 5 or more people working at the prospective company.
- Send people a personalized message on LinkedIn:
- introduce yourself briefly and explain your interest in working at their company. Type the message with positive words as if you were writing it for yourself. Here’s an example:
Hi Jane,
We haven’t met, but you work in HR for ABC company. I’m an HR professional seeking my next role. I’m learning more about ABC before I apply for the HR specialist position. I read a lot about the company but couldn’t find the answer to these two questions. Would you please help me?
– What is the work environment like at ABC company?
– Is the HR team onsite or remote?
I’d greatly appreciate your reply.
Thank you so much for your time.
Ana
You can ask additional questions, but don’t ask more than two questions in your first message. Here are additional questions you could ask:
- Does the company offer flexible work arrangements?
- How has your experience with this company been?
- What attributes and qualities someone needs to thrive at this company?
- Do you see career growth and development opportunities?
Who Should You Reach Out To?
It’s best to reach out to at least five people because you may only get one or two responses. If the person replies, be courteous and thank them. Based on how they respond, you could ask one more question. Otherwise, thank them again and move on.
Only some people will reply to your message. Avoid taking that personally because people don’t know you and may not feel comfortable sharing how they feel about their company. You don’t know what people are going through.
Another alternative is reaching out to former employees on LinkedIn with the same questions. Avoid asking why they left the company on that first message. People may feel uncomfortable with the question and delete your message. Remember, they don’t know you.
Step 3 – Review
Before applying for the job, review steps 1 and 2 for answers. If you feel good about the information, move forward with your application. You can still apply for the job even if you aren’t 100% sure about a few things and ask questions during the interview.
If you can’t wait to apply for the job, you can still move forward while waiting for people to respond to your message, but take step 3 cautiously. The review step is crucial to help you decide whether you want to take the job.
The third step helps you ask about the company culture with the hiring manager/team members during the interview process. You may only get to this step with some job applications, even if you took steps 1 and 2.
The 3Rs method can’t guarantee a job offer, but preparing to ask specific questions during the interview is crucial to help you decide your next steps.
How To Talk About Company Culture During Your Interview
During the interview, you’ll likely have questions unrelated to culture, such as questions about the job description and duties. Choose a few culture questions that are must-haves for you. Here are some examples:
- Are there opportunities or programs that support professional development?
- What challenges is the company experiencing now?
- What has been a challenge for the team in the past?
- How do you like to provide feedback?
- Is this a collaborative work environment?
- What kind of personalities tend to do well on this team?
- What is your management style?
- How do you expect employees to handle work-life balance?
- How do you onboard new hires to the team?
You can ask follow-up questions based on the answers from the hiring manager/team members.
After the interview, it’s time to review steps 1, 2, and 3 together. During the interview, did you see or hear any red flags in their answers? Do you still have doubts?
If something needs clarification, you can ask about it before you sign a job offer. I recommend a quick phone call or video meeting to ensure you and your manager are on the same page and words don’t get lost in translation. Then, send a follow-up message to summarize the conversation. Always have essential discussion items in writing.
Grab the freebie Job Search Checklist
Reflect On These Questions After The Interview:
How do you feel after meeting with the hiring manager and team members?
Did you pick up any cues or red flags if you have a virtual interview?
If the interview was onsite, did they seem rushed or not into the conversation? Did you get good vibes from them?
Every company culture is flawed and has flaws. What works for someone may be a bad culture for you.
Research the company, contact people, and ask interview questions that help you thrive in a new environment. You may not have all the answers, but you can feel good about proceeding with your application.
BONUS TIP: The Best Way To Use The 3Rs
Make a list of companies you would like to work for, even if they don’t have a job for you now.
Practice steps 1 and 2. You’ll be ahead of many candidates and feel confident applying for the job. Be an early-bird applicant whenever possible.
If you are in a hurry, practice step 1 before sending your application, and ask the right questions about culture during the interview.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the 4 C’s of company culture?
- Communication (Open & Transparent): Clear information flow and shared ideas.
- Collaboration (Teamwork & Support): Working together effectively towards goals.
- Creativity (Innovation & Problem-Solving): Encouraging new ideas for success.
- Competence (Skilled & Knowledgeable Workforce): Employees with the right skills to excel.
These C’s highlight a positive work environment that:
- Values both individual and team success.
- Prioritizes employee well-being and growth.
- Drives positive outcomes through communication and innovation.
But remember, company culture is more than just these C’s. Consider factors like work-life balance, leadership style, and diversity for a complete picture.
Why is company culture so important?
A strong company culture benefits both employees and the organization:
- Employees: Increased engagement, job satisfaction, and well-being.
- Organizations: Stronger employer brand, improved innovation, and better financial performance.
Think of it like a sports team. A strong culture is like a team spirit that leads to success!
Company culture is crucial for a happy and productive work environment.
How Can I Identify Negative Aspects Of Company Culture During My Job Search And Job Interview?
Here are some tips to pay attention to these negative words to use to describe a company culture:
- Look for reviews on Glassdoor or Indeed that mention negative keywords like “micromanagement,” “toxic work environment,” or “lack of work-life balance.” These can reveal elements of organizational culture that might not be readily apparent.
- Observe how the company interacts with employees and the public on platforms like LinkedIn or Twitter (X). A negative corporate culture might be evident through a lack of employee engagement or negative comments.
- During your interview, ask questions that go beyond the job description and dig into the company culture. Use the 3 R’s from this blog to help you identify a good company culture.
By being attentive to these red flags and negative keywords, you can gain valuable insights into the company’s culture. This allows you to make informed decisions about potential employers and find a workplace that fosters a positive and productive environment where you can thrive.
Related Post: Why Fostering Employee Belonging is Essential in the Workplace
Ana Goehner
Career Coach & strategist
Conclusion
Finding a company with a good culture requires going the extra mile. Any company can write beautiful words on its website, but your research can unveil new information. As you reach out to current and former employees, you can learn from their experience. The final round is your review after the interview. The interview is your chance to ask the right questions that matter to you and decide if you want to be a part of that company and team.
Remember to always advocate for yourself and your well-being. You are your Chief Career Officer! Don’t wait for someone else to see your value!
Have you ever worked for a company with a good culture? Tell me more about your experience in the comments.
Here are some free resources:
- The Importance of flexibility in the workplace: Why It Matters & How to Achieve It
- How to Achieve Career Well-Being: Practical Steps for a Fulfilling Work Life Balance
- What are transferable skills, and why are they important?
- Why Fostering Employee Belonging is Essential in the Workplace
- The Negative Work Environment Effects On Your Well-Being
- Job Search Checklist
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