Dear Experts,
What are some tips on finding out about a company’s culture & how that ties into the position and daily operations of the company?
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Here is how our T.A.P. experts answered this question:
Q#308 Ask “what’s the culture here?” “what wd success b in this pos?” Pay attn 2 ?s asked, dress, attitudes. (@juliaerickson)
Q#308 If u’ve interviewed, request private convers. w/team members &/or person who previously held job (esp if still w/co). (@ValueIntoWords)
Q#308 Connect w/co. emp through LinkedIn, Glassdoor.com. Also gut-feel & questions responses during interview. (@dawnbugni)
Q#308 Checking out the surveys and comments on Vault.com can give you some insight into a company’s culture. (@TaiGoodwin)
Q#308 Tell-Tail Characteristics of Co. Culture. Some co’s promote bldg teams; some indiv… http://disq.us/ir0f. (@RTResumePro)
Q#308 Arrive at the interview early. Notice how you are greeted and any… http://bit.ly/2amacv. (@marysevinsky)
Q#308 Networking and speaking with people who work for the company. Try starting with LinkedIn. (@gradversity)
Q#308 Ask for scenarios of success they’ve seen. ie. examples of solid teamwork. Then listen closely! (@jtodonnell)
Q#308 Watch how they treat job seekers. Check the Website. Talk w/current employees! (@beneubanks)
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3 Comments
Tell-Tail Characteristics of Company Culture
Many companies today promote building teams over individuals; respecting the entry-level mailroom clerk and the top salesperson equally; consider failure the beginning not the end of developing talents and careers; and where ‘Values’ are not fads. Still in other companies you will find a lack of esprit de corps where departments operate as fiefdoms not work in partnership with one another; where leadership is assigned not earned; where secretaries still bring their bosses coffee (ala 1960’s) and where you are only as good as your last sale. Both are Company Culture.
I’ve listed my tell-tail characteristics of company culture for you here so you will know what you are getting into when you accept your next position.
1. Key Job Aspects & Workplace Characteristics
Determine to what degree the following may play a role in the job and the workplace. One way or the other, combined, they all play a role in determining culture. Tip: Assign a value from 1 to 5; 5 being the highest degree you require for your job satisfaction. There are many more aspects of a job and workplace you may want to consider. This is only a short-list to start you thinking.
• Telecommuting
• Workspace design
• Personal items in the workspace
• Competition
• Teamwork
• Professional Development
• Defined career paths
• Employee interaction
• Esprit de corps
2. Company Website
Some companies promote themselves by discussing their corporate culture on their Website or in their annual report (usually on the website if flattering). On its own, may not be telling enough as it is the company selling itself. Combined with other tail-tale characteristics can be valuable.
3. Other Characteristics to look for in the Workplace are,
• How decisions are made
• How decisions are communicated to the employees
• How employees are recognized
• Interaction among departments
• Interaction among managers
• Interaction among top management
4. Researching Behind the Scenes
Using LinkedIn, Facebook, MySpace and other websites, try to connect with people from the company and get their perspective on culture. I like to ask a few questions in particular; they are,
• What 5 key words or key phrases best describe your company?
• What 5 key words or phrases would your (husband/wife…) use to describe?
• What is your favorite day of the work week? Why?
Other questions you can ask employees are,
• Do you feel your work there, your contribution, is important? (Everyone says “yes”) How do you know?
• Are you encouraged to spend time on training and education outside the office?
Finally, how the company measures up to your Best Company Culture profile is very personal. Teamwork, for example, may be a lot less important to you than the flexibility of telecommuting on occasion. Define the motivators and incentives that are important to you in the job and the workplace; define that which inspires you most. It may be a code of ethics or glittery perks that dazzle. It’s for you to define. This should help to get you started in the right direction.
Hope this helps!
YT,
Rob Taub of RésuméPro PLUS and the
Job Search Corner: http://bit.ly/18wCkO
Tell-Tail Characteristics of Company Culture
Many companies today promote building teams over individuals; respecting the entry-level mailroom clerk and the top salesperson equally; consider failure the beginning not the end of developing talents and careers; and where ‘Values’ are not fads. Still in other companies you will find a lack of esprit de corps where departments operate as fiefdoms not work in partnership with one another; where leadership is assigned not earned; where secretaries still bring their bosses coffee (ala 1960’s) and where you are only as good as your last sale. Both are Company Culture.
I’ve listed my tell-tail characteristics of company culture for you here so you will know what you are getting into when you accept your next position.
1. Key Job Aspects & Workplace Characteristics
Determine to what degree the following may play a role in the job and the workplace. One way or the other, combined, they all play a role in determining culture. Tip: Assign a value from 1 to 5; 5 being the highest degree you require for your job satisfaction. There are many more aspects of a job and workplace you may want to consider. This is only a short-list to start you thinking.
• Telecommuting
• Workspace design
• Personal items in the workspace
• Competition
• Teamwork
• Professional Development
• Defined career paths
• Employee interaction
• Esprit de corps
2. Company Website
Some companies promote themselves by discussing their corporate culture on their Website or in their annual report (usually on the website if flattering). On its own, may not be telling enough as it is the company selling itself. Combined with other tail-tale characteristics can be valuable.
3. Other Characteristics to look for in the Workplace are,
• How decisions are made
• How decisions are communicated to the employees
• How employees are recognized
• Interaction among departments
• Interaction among managers
• Interaction among top management
4. Researching Behind the Scenes
Using LinkedIn, Facebook, MySpace and other websites, try to connect with people from the company and get their perspective on culture. I like to ask a few questions in particular; they are,
• What 5 key words or key phrases best describe your company?
• What 5 key words or phrases would your (husband/wife…) use to describe?
• What is your favorite day of the work week? Why?
Other questions you can ask employees are,
• Do you feel your work there, your contribution, is important? (Everyone says “yes”) How do you know?
• Are you encouraged to spend time on training and education outside the office?
Finally, how the company measures up to your Best Company Culture profile is very personal. Teamwork, for example, may be a lot less important to you than the flexibility of telecommuting on occasion. Define the motivators and incentives that are important to you in the job and the workplace; define that which inspires you most. It may be a code of ethics or glittery perks that dazzle. It’s for you to define. This should help to get you started in the right direction.
Hope this helps!
YT,
Rob Taub of RésuméPro PLUS and the
Job Search Corner: http://bit.ly/18wCkO
Tell-Tail Characteristics of Company Culture
Many companies today promote building teams over individuals; respecting the entry-level mailroom clerk and the top salesperson equally; consider failure the beginning not the end of developing talents and careers; and where ‘Values’ are not fads. Still in other companies you will find a lack of esprit de corps where departments operate as fiefdoms not work in partnership with one another; where leadership is assigned not earned; where secretaries still bring their bosses coffee (ala 1960’s) and where you are only as good as your last sale. Both are Company Culture.
I’ve listed my tell-tail characteristics of company culture for you here so you will know what you are getting into when you accept your next position.
1. Key Job Aspects & Workplace Characteristics
Determine to what degree the following may play a role in the job and the workplace. One way or the other, combined, they all play a role in determining culture. Tip: Assign a value from 1 to 5; 5 being the highest degree you require for your job satisfaction. There are many more aspects of a job and workplace you may want to consider. This is only a short-list to start you thinking.
• Telecommuting
• Workspace design
• Personal items in the workspace
• Competition
• Teamwork
• Professional Development
• Defined career paths
• Employee interaction
• Esprit de corps
2. Company Website
Some companies promote themselves by discussing their corporate culture on their Website or in their annual report (usually on the website if flattering). On its own, may not be telling enough as it is the company selling itself. Combined with other tail-tale characteristics can be valuable.
3. Other Characteristics to look for in the Workplace are,
• How decisions are made
• How decisions are communicated to the employees
• How employees are recognized
• Interaction among departments
• Interaction among managers
• Interaction among top management
4. Researching Behind the Scenes
Using LinkedIn, Facebook, MySpace and other websites, try to connect with people from the company and get their perspective on culture. I like to ask a few questions in particular; they are,
• What 5 key words or key phrases best describe your company?
• What 5 key words or phrases would your (husband/wife…) use to describe?
• What is your favorite day of the work week? Why?
Other questions you can ask employees are,
• Do you feel your work there, your contribution, is important? (Everyone says “yes”) How do you know?
• Are you encouraged to spend time on training and education outside the office?
Finally, how the company measures up to your Best Company Culture profile is very personal. Teamwork, for example, may be a lot less important to you than the flexibility of telecommuting on occasion. Define the motivators and incentives that are important to you in the job and the workplace; define that which inspires you most. It may be a code of ethics or glittery perks that dazzle. It’s for you to define. This should help to get you started in the right direction.
Hope this helps!
YT,
Rob Taub of RésuméPro PLUS and the
Job Search Corner: http://bit.ly/18wCkO