When you interview for a job, the hiring manager is trying to understand whether you will be a good fit for the company. It’s just as important for you to understand if they will be the right match for you. Asking the right questions to get to know the beliefs, values, and organizational structure of companies where you are interviewing is essential for ensuring a positive work environment.
Company culture refers to the overall atmosphere at work, including the dynamics between teams, core values, organizational structure, leadership styles, decision-making approaches, and the behaviors that define employee interactions.
Determine What’s Most Important
Before your interview, ask yourself what qualities in a workplace are most important to you. Maybe there are certain values you particularly align with, you have an expectation of a work-life balance, or there is a communication style that works for you. There are no wrong answers when determining what work environment you will thrive in. After understanding what you want in your future company’s culture, you can decide which of the following questions to ask and what answers you are looking for. One thing you should always do before interviewing: going on the company’s website. This is where companies often have their values and mission statements listed.
Ask Culture Questions in Interviews
Asking about workplace culture can be tricky, as you need to gather both positive and negative insights from interviewers without sounding critical. If asked in a positive manner, you can learn valuable information and demonstrate to the hiring manager that you are thoughtful about your potential fit within the organization.
What is one thing you would change about this company?
Asking this question allows the hiring manager the chance to share aspects of the company that may not be obvious in the rest of the interview. Framing the question positively and focusing on potential changes rather than asking what the interviewer dislikes can encourage a more constructive dialogue. Posing this question shows your enthusiasm about the company’s growth and your willingness to engage in problem-solving. It also helps you gauge the company’s openness and approach to change.
What is expected of top performers?
With this question, you gain valuable insights into what is required of you and which day-to-day behaviors are most valued. This question can reveal the company’s values, whether they prioritize intense performance and a sense of competition or a more balanced and supportive atmosphere. Additionally, it sheds light on the company’s approach to work-life balance. This information can help you assess whether the environment aligns with your personal values and work style, ensuring that you make an informed decision about the company.
How are decisions made when there is a disagreement within the team?
This question provides crucial insights into the company’s approach to conflict resolution and decision-making. It. can help reveal the dynamics of team interactions and the roles that team members typically play in resolving conflicts. It also gives you a glimpse into the leadership style of your potential future boss. Do they mediate conflicts themselves? Adopt a democratic approach? Or maybe they rely on other team members to facilitate resolution. Going a step further, you can ask for an example of a past disagreement and how it was resolved. This can offer a concrete illustration of the company’s conflict resolution practices.
What do employees find surprising after starting to work here?
After asking, you should learn the extent to which reality aligns with the company’s stated values and practices. This question helps uncover unexpected phenomena, such as hidden difficulties, unique practices, or cultural nuances that new hires encounter. Understanding and being prepared for these situations can give you a clearer picture of what to expect and how the company differs from initial impressions.
How would you describe the company culture in a few words?
To gain a clear understanding of what matters most to the company, ask this question. It will prompt the interviewer to distill the core aspects of the company’s culture into one or two key ideas, providing you with a focused snapshot of the core priorities of the organization.
Other Resources
In an interview, hiring managers tend to present the company in a positive light. Try finding a current or former employee of the company on LinkedIn who is willing to share their experience. While potentially still biased, this may be a better way to discover the inside scoop about the organization. Set up an informational interview and ask them more relaxed questions, like “are you friends with your coworkers.” Try to find someone who has some sort of commonality with you or whose career path is particularly interesting to you so you have more to talk about.
You can also try checking the company’s reviews online or looking at its social media pages. Overall, it’s important to gather as many resources as possible so that when it’s time to choose an employer, you know what you are getting yourself into!