Hi Fairygodboss community!

11 Comments

1. ANDREA RAGGAMBIApril 9,2023 at 4:49PM UTC

   See what you can google on this but in my experience, truly understanding an organizations culture out of the gate is difficult- as you experienced, it takes time to understand what alignment feels like, it doesn’t. Sometimes even departments within a company have subcultures and a lot depends on the dynamics of the team and team leader. Searching the company to see how their culture rates on Glassdoor is another option but is only useful if enough people provide input. Otherwise a couple questions you might consider if you haven’t, might be obvious but something like: how would you describe your organizations/team culture? How does your organization measure and evaluate alignment to your organizations values? How are your employees held accountable for positive workplace behaviors? What is the performance evaluation process like? Good luck!

2. AnonymousApril 9,2023 at 11:17PM UTC

   Thank you, Andrea! Appreciate your comment.

3. AnonymousApril 9,2023 at 7:37PM UTC

   I like the direct approach that Andrea described below. I used it in early interviews, and I was asked back for second and third ones, so they don't seem to take offense. Understand that the company is more likely to put as much of a positive spin on it, so finding someone on the inside that can address the issue directly is generally better. It is easy to find people inside using Linkedin, but not all people will respond promptly.

4. AnonymousApril 9,2023 at 11:18PM UTC

   Thanks!

5. AnonymousApril 10,2023 at 12:30PM UTC

   I have usually asked these questions when I’m asked if I have any questions. I interview them, with management style and culture questions, and time when questions. And sometimes you can tell from a manager’s personality.

   I was told one thing from senior management, but once I got the job, I could clearly see it was not entirely as they painted.

6. Christi LopezApril 11,2023 at 1:09PM UTC

   Same. I treat the "any questions" portion as my opportunity to interview them. I was recently offered a position as a graphic designer and exhibit designer for a museum. It would've been my dream job (had to turn it down because they weren't able to accommodate my schedule for my last year of school).

   They took me around their office at the end of the second interview. I used this opportunity to not only ask specific questions about project management and work styles, but also dress codes and cubicle decorations. I'm at an age where I have no desire to be in full business dress daily, and want the freedom to decorate my space in a way that inspires creativity. Those two are non-negotiables for me.

7. AnonymousApril 10,2023 at 12:55PM UTC

   Research not only on their own companies website, but on glassdoor, etc. Also, Ask those questions at that point in the interview if the culture of the company wasn't brought up. An interview should go both ways. Good luck.

8. AnonymousApril 10,2023 at 4:21PM UTC

   Best is to review the commentary of sites like blind and linkedin and glassdoor. Go through them all. Look for patterns and then also look for the trail of people who have left the company their roles and tenures. Ask some tough questions in the conversation ie: How does the company deal with shifting change and conflict.

9. Zeecil KimmelApril 11,2023 at 12:45PM UTC

   I am old and corporate culture was never a "thing" when I started working but after my last job I realized - I tend to stay on with a company a long time and when my values do not align with who I am working for it was not fun. So before I took my current job I went on LinkedIn and found someone working for the company and sent them a message requesting a bit of their time and explained my reasons. I specifically chose someone in my region and job capacity. It just gave me a better feeling when accepting the job that there were no major culture differences this time around.

10. AnonymousApril 11,2023 at 1:22PM UTC

    Not OP but I love this - thank you for sharing!

11. Ryann RedmondApril 11,2023 at 1:49PM UTC

    A few things here - ask in the interview how the company lives their core values. If you get a blank stare or the interviewer doesn't know what the values are, it's a red flag. Also ask them to describe what the culture is like for both the company and within the department you'll be working in - they are likely different pockets of culture and you'll need to know both. Look out for a "we work hard, play hard" answer. Also a red flag. Look for answers on how the culture supports employee wellbeing, demonstrates appreciation and personal career growth, etc. Free pizza, happy hours and events do not define a culture.

    I also recently heard a tip from a friend who is interviewing with a company and reached out to a former employee of the company that had left within 6 months from the department she was interviewing with. She asked the employee's professional opinion of the culture to get a better sense of what it was like to work there. Very valuable feedback!