How to find a company that's right for you

Guest post by PageGroup. Nic Chambers, Director at PageGroup, shares his experience and advice on finding a career that fits.

 

You’ve found what you think is your ideal role – the location is convenient, the salary is generous and the position allows you to use your skills meaningfully. Before you dive in headfirst, there’s one more thing to consider: culture fit.

When we talk about culture fit, we mean how your values, personality and working style align with the working environment, existing team members and the principles of a company. It’s different for everyone: you might be someone who would love working in the creative and sometimes chaotic environment that tech giants offer, or you may prefer a more corporate workplace.

When we talk about culture fit, we mean how your values, personality and working style align with the working environment, existing team members and the principles of a company.

Jobseekers often focus on the salary component of a role and overlook the actual working conditions. Yet, as PageGroup Director Nic Chambers explains, a good cultural fit is vital to your overall happiness in a role.  

“Cultural fit is a large component of why people stay in jobs. You can be in a great job and still be unhappy if the culture doesn’t suit your values,” says Chambers.

So, how can you avoid an ill-fitting company culture when you’re in the midst of a job search?

Know what you want

The first step is to consider what you’re looking for. Be honest with yourself and consider all elements of a role beyond that of just salary.

“Ask yourself: in the cold light of day, what is important to you?” says Chambers.

Think about both your short and long term goals and write them down in order of preference. This might include aspects such as career development opportunities, work-life balance, or the possibility of further study. Monetary reward needs to be a consideration however not the only one.

Having a clear idea of what is driving your search will save both your own time and that of the interviewers as well.

“Many candidates believe they know what they are looking for, however it can often be a ‘is the grass greener?’ situation. Once a candidate receives an offer of employment and the time comes to resign, they often realise ‘oh, I am actually happy where I am,’” says Chambers.

Think holistically

When considering a new role, think about how it will impact your lifestyle and career as a whole. For example, is the extra salary worth the longer commute? Or could taking a temporary pay cut result in quicker career advancement or greater earning capacity in mid to long term?

“Avoid looking at just short term gains and look at the long term benefits as well,” says Chambers. “There is nothing wrong with taking a side step as a means to go forwards.”

Look for clues at the interview ... and ask questions

“First impressions count,” says Chambers. Whilst it can be difficult to get a genuine sense of an organisation’s culture during the short space of time you’re attending an interview, there are a few things you can look out for:

• Was the interviewer on time?
• Were you given a warm welcome?
• Was the office tidy and did the workplace promote a professional working environment?
• Can you see yourself working with your interviewer?

Beyond that, it’s important to ask questions to get a sense of the company culture.

“An interview is very much a two way process. You are interviewing the company as much as the company is interviewing you,” says Chambers. “You need to ensure you are prepared for an interview and have a couple of questions ready to ask. If anything, it assures the interviewee that you are serious about the opportunity on offer.”

Questions that will give you insight into company culture include:

• What’s the demographic makeup of the organisation?
• How is an individual’s success measured within the company?
• What long term career opportunities are on offer?
• Does the company engage in any community programs or partnerships?

You should be able to piece together a fairly robust idea of the company culture based on these factors.

Trust your gut feeling ... but also seek objective information

If you’re considering accepting a role in any organisation, it pays to do your due diligence. That means talking to people in your network who may have had experience with the company, reading online reviews and news articles and finding out as much as possible about the organisation’s management structure.

Most importantly, find out for yourself. Whilst the opinion of others can be valuable, you can’t allow it to be the only decision-making factor. Meet with the company and find out for yourself, says Chambers.

“Don’t allow the opinion of others to make your mind up. You would hate to miss out on the ideal job based on one person’s bad experience.”

Social media can also be a useful research tool, however again remember that the majority of posts on social media are mostly people who have either had an exceptionally positive or negative experience and may not represent the opinions of the masses.

If you’re still unsure...

You’ve done your background research, you’ve weighed up the pros and cons, and you’re still unsure about whether you’d fit into the organisation. What’s next? Go and meet with the organisation again, says Chambers. This will give you another chance to chat about the role, ask any questions you deem important and get a better feel for the company.

 

While SEEK partners with trusted contributors to bring you the latest career advice, the views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author.