© 2022 Fairygodboss. All rights reserved.
WWYD? Job opp with questionable company culture
TL;DR: Should I take a job offer if it's similar to my last job and potentially an up-hill battle for good company culture?
Hi ladies! I am expecting a job offer this week from a small B2B company that is just building out it's marketing team after being in business for over 15 years. They will be doing some rebranding and also focusing on employee culture.
My issue is that this is exactly how I started at my last company. Though I love the opportunities that I can help be a part of rebranding and building a company culture, I'm kind of over having to face an uphill battle with the culture aspect. Especially since they are not changing owners. They are just now starting to make employees a priority. I'm a new mom and frankly ready for a company that currently treats its people right.
My question is: Is this being too picky, especially since I was laid off due to covid in April? Should I still accept if everything else is good about the offer?
Jessica Virtuoso, MBA, SHRM-CP
Level Up Your Leadership
116
09/03/20 at 7:43PM UTC
This story sounds so familiar to me since I went through this as well, but being on the HR side for a small, boutique management consulting firm. Be sure of the latitude you have in terms of changing - are the owners and management aware of and open to changing the game? This means they need to walk the talk. On the other hand, they can say that and not really do it (again, fully from experience).
If you have the time, I'd read The First 90 Days to determine if you see any patterns of what type of situation you have. If you don't have that kind of time, read about STARS diagnosis of situations. Either way, I'd highly recommend a skim through that book before accepting this position. If the situation matches your natural inclinations, it might not be as much of an uphill battle as you think.
If it DOESN'T, I strongly recommend holding on to your precious brain cells and motivation and wait for a company that doesn't give you pause on a heavy lift of a culture initiative.
Lucy SpencerConscious business consultant
49
09/02/20 at 7:29PM UTC
Its good that they will be focusing on culture, so there is a chance things change. If not, you will have have the opportunity of some work during a difficult period. Look to see what you can learn from the situation and have faith that you will be in a company the resonates with your views on culture in the future.
Jessica Pham-RuhlandBusiness Development
53
09/01/20 at 5:59PM UTC
It sounds like you have direct experience in the work, so if you are considering the role and finances is a large factor, I would definitely leverage your thorough experience in the space already to ask for a higher starting salary. Perhaps their response will tip the hat toward picking or not picking the role.
Shawn M. PelletierCertified Diversity Professional
52
08/31/20 at 11:58PM UTC
The battle about culture will still be alive and well in the new company. Influencing the culture is exciting and alluring, changing it is wonderful and some of the hardest work you will do. Be honest with yourself about what you bring to the job that lights up your soul. If this is the same job, and you feel neutral about it, then really assess the need for $$. I get that we all need money to some degree, but if this doesn't fulfill a purpose for you, I would recommend you keep looking. A job that is a better fit will come along!
Karisa KarmaliFounder of Self-Love and Fitness
2.13k
08/31/20 at 5:43PM UTC (Edited)
If you need the $, can you keep looking if it's not ideal, and take it for now? It's not like such a culture would retain you long-term anyway.
Mimi BishopBiz+Career Coach for Modern Gen X Women
1.33k
08/31/20 at 12:35PM UTC
HI there! It sounds like you are beyond qualified for this role as you've been so successful getting results here already.
My question is what is important to you now? You mention you're a new mom -- and so I wondered if your core values have shifted.
I understand that the economy is a concern right now but I would really recommend NOT making that your prime reason for accepting a job that isn't in alignment with your values and what is important to you.
Here is a guide I use with my clients to help them get clear on their values. When you're clear on your values, it makes making solid decisions so much easier. You can access it by cutting and pasting this link: https://bit.ly/2PmQxlW
Corporate culture is a really important part of job satisfaction!
Good luck here!
Anonymous
08/31/20 at 4:25PM UTC
This is awesome! Thank you for sharing that. You're so right - I told myself (and my husband) I'd be picky this round, and we're ok financially for me not to rush into something. I will stick to my values! Going to check out this tool. -OP
Mimi BishopBiz+Career Coach for Modern Gen X Women
1.33k
09/01/20 at 9:58AM UTC
So glad you had that conversation with husband too! Staying true to your values is so worth it in the long run. Best wishes to you!
KathyWork that works
173
08/30/20 at 8:05PM UTC
Adding to the already great suggestions, a strategy that I've found helpful in managing my own career is to document major decisions by writing a letter to my future self. In the letter. I include all the reasons I've decided to go in a particular direction. This gives me clarity in the moment and, later on, helps answer the question "What was I thinking?" should things not work out as expected. You can pivot faster if you've lost your job and need to find another because you will spend far less time second-guessing yourself and, in fact, be reminded that you made the best decision in that moment with the information you had available to you. Good luck!
Anonymous
08/30/20 at 11:06PM UTC
I LOVE this idea! I've picked up some freelance work for a pretty big-name person in marketing world with her wanting to eventually pull me in FT, so that is kind of what I'm thinking... work on my freelance abilities while staying home with my son. Oh, and this job is making marketing team go in the office already, and the director is new as of last month, so I think at this point I'm kind of talking myself out of it... :)
Jillian KnappEducator, Storyteller, Lifeline
826
08/30/20 at 5:31PM UTC
My best advice would be to walk in with your eyes open. What are your expectations if you decide to accept this position? Are they reasonable? I realise the economy is tough and we all need to make tough decisions as a result.
From experience, culture can improve slightly at an organisation, but if the same people are there to feed off one another it will be like you said: an uphill battle. I'm not sure of the specific issues you faced but if you've already seen some things, be prepared. All that said, there is no perfect company and everyone has their politics. I know it's hard an no road is perfect, but I hope you make a good decision. I'm sure you have the potential to do amazing things in the right environment.
Anonymous
08/30/20 at 11:07PM UTC
Yessss 100%. Definitely the part about it having the SAME management/owners (who are brothers, btw) is throwing me into PTSD bad culture mode. Ain't nobody got time for that with an infant LOL
Anonymous
08/30/20 at 4:53PM UTC
It's understandable to be cautious. I would ask some probing questions about what they want to achieve including culture and how you expect to fulfill their wants.
Go in knowing what to expect and your responsibilities and everyone is on board
© 2022 Fairygodboss. All rights reserved.