Some say that if you find the perfect job, you won’t have to worry about everything else. While this adage sounds like a dream, this isn’t always guaranteed to be perfect, especially if you work in a company with a unique way of doing things different from what you are used to. If you can’t adapt to their culture, you may find it hard to enjoy the job you have tried so hard to get.
Here are 4 reasons why company cultures are important to your sanity:
Mental Health
Bringing performance to the table is highly stressful, however, if your targets are unrealistic or the environment is not conducive, you may be susceptible to develop depression. If the workplace turns out to be toxic and abusive, you will want to run away as far as possible.
Aligns with Your Beliefs
To make sure you are happy at work, you need to feel that you are contributing to the greater good and know that you are working towards the same business goals. Your company’s vision must make sense to you or otherwise, you’ll be unsure about your objectives and reasons for working there in the long run.
Jeans vs Suits
Are your future colleagues’ fun-loving and easy-going? Or are they all about protocols and processes? Do you want to express yourself through your clothes? Or you think all companies should have a proper dress code? Make sure that you assess the company you will work for as these small things can affect how you work, especially when you’re going to stay and breathe in this office for at least 8 hours a day.
Old Boy’s Club
Does the company have a boardroom full of old men in suits? Or the company is made up of 99% female team? Gender, race, and class equality should be important in the company you will work for since this may also impact your chances of having a promotion in future.
Fortunately, there are ways to check whether the company you are joining or planning to apply for is good for you.
Below are five ways on how you can research the company culture of your target company:
Research Online
When in doubt, search online about the things you want to know about the company. Once you type the name of the company, check the pages to see if there are reviews regarding the company and the people who work in it. You can also check their website to see the work culture they have or the benefits they provide to employees.
Check the Company’s Social Media Page
Another great way to research about the company’s culture is by checking their social media pages. Many companies nowadays are reaching out to their audience and prospective clients through social media. Try to write comments on their social media page and see how they will respond to your queries. Also, you can check how they respond to other posts and notice how often they post updates about their company.
Connect with Current and Past Employees of the Company
While browsing social media, why not reach out to the people who are affiliated with the company? You can easily connect with the current and past employees of your target company through sites like LinkedIn or Facebook, and reach out to them to learn more. You can also ask about the company culture and processes so you know what to expect. Also, try to leave a good impression on these people because they can be your future referrers and consequently, you can be ahead in the pack during applications.
Look for News About the Company
Some companies, especially those major corporations, are often seen in the news, and these could be about their new investments or improvements in their businesses. Any changes to the company will certainly influence the company’s culture so, you should always consider the type of news released and know if these changes will affect the company positively or negatively.
Ask Around
Finally, look into what other people say about the company. You can do this by asking your family or friends who are not part of it and see what they think about it. If you hear anything negative or unacceptable details about the company, verify them using different reliable sources, and decline the offer if it proves true.
Conclusion
Accepting a job shouldn’t be done immediately even if it is the job you have been waiting for a long time. Always do your research about the company and assess if they have the right culture for you. If you find the company that matches the culture you can adapt to and enjoy, go for it! If not, there are surely other offers that you can look until you find the right one for you.
Making sure you know what you are getting yourself into before you dived into a new job and a new company, check out these articles to help you to settle into a new workplace: How to Politely Turn Down After-Work Socialising Without Hurting Your Career or Offending Your Coworkers 10 Ways to Improve Your Workplace Relationships How To Make A Great First Impression At Your New Workplace
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