On the job hunt? - How to explore a company's culture!

(This article was first published on the Anne Forster blog)

Applicants and companies face the same question in the application and interview process: Do we match? And the culture of the company plays a key role. But how can I, as an applicant, explore the culture of the potential employer and find out if we fit together? With these questions you can embark on an expedition and take a close look at potential employers.
Exploring the culture of the company at a first glance

Looking at the company's annual report, visiting the company's website and corresponding social media channels is part of the standard repertoire for many applicants in preparing for the interview. This attempt to get a look behind the scenes should not be limited to pictures, videos and quotes. It pays off to zoom in and look more closely, which words and phrases describe the current strategy? And where can you find examples of how strategy and mission is being lived in the company?

How does the company understand leadership? How clear is the common goal of the company articulated to employees? Here it gets difficult to find answers on a first glance. Companies that consider this aspect at least point out their own understanding of leadership.

The question of what moves employees in the company is exciting and enlightening. What or to whom do employees pay attention? How does organizational culture look like? The results of a company's employee survey can provide answers. Prepared results can often be found in the Annual Report, on the website or through press releases (via Google search).
Exploring the culture of the company on a second glance

The preparations for the interview are a good starting point and help to explore the culture, for example during job interviews, during an informational interview or during other meetings with company representatives. What is the structure behind the scenes? What is centralized and decentralized? Which management practice is practiced and to what extent are employees involved in the decision-making processes? Which policies are there and which behavior is rewarded, and how?

Not all of these questions can be clarified conclusively, so talking with several people is a chance to get an idea from different angles. Many companies also give the opportunity to get to know the team.
Experience the culture of the company (experiment!)

To experience the culture of the company for a certain time, on a trial basis, is possible in some companies through temporary assignments. Experiencing the culture itself offers the opportunity to clarify what the working atmosphere looks like, how challenged the employees are and what is expected of them.

To what extent the individual needs are taken into account and if I can do my work the way I think it is right, depend very much on the respective activity and the duration of the trial. Otherwise the probationary period remains. Furthermore it is important to ensure that possible obstacles in the provision of work are identified, discussed and, if possible, eliminated. The most important aspect:
Know what drives you and which motivational factors are important to you!

Anne Forster is career coach and hr project manager. She shares her knowledge about career and reorientation on the Anne Forster blog. To find out more visit anneforster.ch, follow her on Facebook and Pinterest or subscribe to her free Blog Newsletter.