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Job Seekers: Don’t Forget to Talk Culture in a Job Interview

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Regardless of your level of experience, or the kind of job you’re seeking, you need to know about a company’s culture before you sign on to any new opportunity. Why is culture so important?

As one of the leading employment agencies in Tempe, PrideStaff knows if a culture is not a good fit for you, you’re going to wind up unhappy and back on the job market in a matter of months. So even if the job duties sound ideal, if the culture doesn’t, you need to move on.

Here are 4 tips to consider when learning about a company’s culture during the job search and interview process:

Tip #1: Know what works for you.

When it comes to assessing a company’s culture, it’s important to first understand the type of work environment you work best in. Is it a smaller, more laid back culture? Or a corporate, highly structured one? Are you at peak performance on teams that are constantly collaborating, or do you like taking a more independent approach? Whatever the case for you, it’s vital to know the types of cultures you work well in so you can properly evaluate each opportunity that comes your way.

Tip #2: Ask culture-related questions in the interview.

When it comes time for you to ask questions during an interview, don’t focus only on inquiring about on-the-job tasks. Be sure to ask about what it’s like to work at the company. For instance, some questions that can help you assess culture include:

  • How would you describe the company’s culture?
  • What do you like most about working here? Least?
  • Does the company provide opportunities for professional development and career growth?
  • How would you describe the company’s values and what role do they play in the day-to-day?
  • If you could change something about the organization, what would it be?
  • How and when do employees get feedback?
  • Do you offer any flexible work arrangements?

Tip #3: Ask why the last employee in the job left.

Asking this question can also give you some insight into culture. If, for instance, the employee was promoted to a new position at the organization, it tells you that they promote internally. That’s a good thing if you want to continue to advance your career.

Tip #4: Reach out to your network.

Your final step in the process should be to connect with anyone you know who works at the company. Even if they’re in a completely different department than you’d be in, they can give you some valuable insight into the reality of working there.

They may simply affirm what the hiring manager told you, or they could paint a completely different picture of what the culture is really like. Either way, your network can serve as a valuable source of information in your decision-making process.

Ready to put a Tempe employment expert to work in your job search?

Call PrideStaff. As one of most trusted employment agencies in Tempe, we can give you the scoop on who’s hiring in the area, as well as how to make a positive impression on local employers. Contact PrideStaff today to learn more about how we can help you.

 

 

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