Vibe Check: How to determine if the company culture fits you?

Vibe Check: How to determine if the company culture fits you? 

Whether you’re a career switcher, on a hunt for your first paying job or simply want to move forward with a new company, you deserve to be paid fairly for your hard work and wit! But as a  friendly-reminder, don’t be too quick to grab the job with the biggest paycheck. 

Hold on a sec, there’s another make or break factor,it’s that thing we called, company culture – the vibe of the workplace and employees you choose and surround with are just as, if not more, important than the digits on your paycheck. 

But, what's this company culture we keep talking about? 

Well, think of it as a company's unique personality. It's how employees act, talk, and deal with one another. It's the set of values, beliefs, and attitudes that mold their way of working. 

And believe us when we say, it's a deal breaker. Why? 

• Let’s face it! The truth is you’re likely to spend most of your weekdays with your workmates and company. We'll spend approximately 90,000 hours at work in our lifetime, which makes it a significant part of our daily lives (Andrew Naber, Gettysburg University).  

• The right culture can boost your productivity, happiness, and growth. It brings out the best in everyone.  But when a culture is unhealthy and toxic, it can really take a toll on employees’ mental health and can personally drain your soul faster than a plunger. 

How can you tell if it’s a culture fit? 

Now that you know the importance of company culture, here are some guides to suss out company culture: 

• Do some research before you sign on the dotted line! 

Check out their mission statement, core values, and their employee testimonials. This will give you a sneak peek into what the company is all about and how they treat and recognize their employees. Pro tip: you can suss out on their career pages, Great Places to Work and Rise profile companies for your research! 

• Decode the company culture during your job interview

Observe everyone during your interview and ask questions about their company. Assess if they are warm and welcoming, or aloof and unapproachable? And most importantly, are they invested in your professional growth and development? 

Bonus: you can refer to these 10 questions to check a company culture fit

• Connect with professionals and ask about their experience

Get the inside scoop on a company's culture by asking professionals online… or even better by attending some of their events! Whether it's a job fair or open house, these are all great ways to rub elbows with current employees and gain insights into what the company is really like. Mix and mingle while getting to know your potential new employer.

And that’s the wrap for our headline! A friendly reminder for everyone, you have the power to choose where you work and thrive. Take the time to research! Whether it's stalking their social media, observing during the interview, or partying it up at company events, there are plenty of ways to do culture-fit check. 

So go ahead, be bold, be curious, and most importantly, be informed in your job search. Your future self will thank you for it!