Finding the Right Company Culture
You did it! School is over and now you’re ready to conquer the world. This is an exciting time and you should enjoy it; whether you just received your diploma, or you’ve been out in the real world for a few months already. The big question is what should your next move be? It can be tempting to take the first job that comes your way or to latch onto that large paycheck. What you should really be asking yourself: is this a company I can associate with? Is this where I want to spend the next several years of my life? When choosing your next move one thing should be at the forefront of your mind: is this the right company culture for me?
What exactly is corporate culture? This is how a company presents itself to its employees and the world at large. Every little detail from the company logo to branded clothing is part of corporate culture. It also runs deeper than polo shirts and flashy websites. Corporate culture is ultimately how a company treats its employees. When a company gets it right it’s amazing! You’re excited to come to work each day and wear all the gear. When a company gets it wrong it can be paralyzing; you’d rather be anywhere else than at work.
One of the first things to consider when researching a company is what does their executive leadership team look like? Can you see yourself amongst that group? If not, do they have a commitment to diversity hiring? It’s easy to write off a company simply because they are monochromatic. Conduct some research and see if they’re putting in the effort to evolve. Many companies also have employer relations groups; these can be things like: the women’s leadership network, military/veterans’ network, pride network, access for disabilities, etc. When speaking to recruiters, ask them how involved their employees are with these groups. It’s also worth asking how involved these groups are in the community. It’s easy for a company to put an ERG together for publicity and photo shoots. An effective ERG network develops its members and gives back to society.
Another aspect to consider is a company’s values. Does the organization you’re considering have a Corporate Social Responsibility branch? Are they involved in the communities they serve? Do they care about the environment? CSR work might not seem that important, especially if your daily focus is accounting, but it’s a reflection of your organization’s commitment to make the world a better place. A company with strong values instills pride in the people who work there. Something as simple as a human rights statement can ultimately be quite powerful.
During the interview process it’s also important to ask about work/life balance: does the company run its employees into the ground? What kind of benefits do they offer? More and more companies are offering paternity leave in addition to maternity leave. Maternity leave is being expanded and things like pet insurance are being included in compensation packages. How about sick and vacation days? It can be a little overwhelming to consider all these things, but keep in mind that this is a big decision and you want to make sure that this new job is the right fit.
In the past I’ve taken jobs for the money or other conveniences. At first you tolerate the things that annoy you or that you don’t approve of, but over time these things wear you down, especially if they go against your core values. I can still see a colleague being dressed down in front of the team, that was all I needed to know about that organization. Remember that this is where you’ll be spending at least eight hours a day for the foreseeable future! Make sure that you bring these subjects up during the interview process; this is your chance to speak with actual employees (besides recruiters) and find out what they really think. Ask them what they love about the company and what they don’t. You’d be surprised how candid people can be once they open up to you!
Finding the right job is obviously important, but don’t neglect the details when it comes to your job hunt. Remember that this is your chance to really figure out what a company has to offer. Use resources like LinkedIn and Glassdoor to see what people are saying; read the good and bad reviews. One of the most important questions you can ask yourself during this process; can I see myself working here? Can I see myself reflected in the people who work here? Hopefully the answer will be yes.