How to tell if the company culture is right for you

Being an engineering graduate, searching for a job in India was not difficult. As a matter of fact, my most anxious night spent sleepless was the one after I got hired by an MNC. I didn’t know if they offered what I wanted. It was not free food and bean bags. It was a culture of hardworking, passionate people. Not people cramming with work, and trying to be the jack of all trades but the king of none. I wanted to be with people that made a difference, with passion and intuition.  Too much to ask for a 22-year-old?

I totally agree with Gary Vaynerchuck, when he explains that company culture  is the backbone of any successful organization. The culture of an organization is what attracts and retains key talent. Ease and comfort, summed with the ability to enjoy the vibe of the workplace along with the people involved, is what alleviates the daily workload for an employee. Finding what is the comfort and ease suited for you, is the challenge. I found mine, let me help you with yours. Now, is there a process? I am not sure. But there are precautions and good pointers to company culture tips and tricks that can keep you from making a mistake while joining the right/wrong company. You pick!

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How to tell if the company culture is right for you?

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The Happiness Factor 

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Contrary to what you think, the company culture should make you happy, is not my point. You have to understand what makes you happy. To genuinely enjoy being in your workplace, time spent working in your workplace, need not be the best of times, but it has to be good. It has to keep you going, uphill. Understanding what makes you happy helps you understand what you want to work with, and getting to know you better, helps you choose where. Maximizing your personal happiness, along with the free food, is the goal.

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The Where Factor

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There you go again, it’s not about which is your favorite place. Where do you want to be in the next coming years? It looks like a very funny and cliche question every interviewer asks, but, the answer to this, is crucial for your long term career.  What kind of skills are you looking to build in the next five to ten years? Does your organization help you achieve this? You must be thinking not only about the promotional scopes but also whether you can stretch, expand your expertise, personal growth matters. 

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The Attention factor 

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No, you don’t need attention. You need to be attentive. When? While you are there, to give your interview. Be attentive to your surroundings. Be attentive to how your prospective colleagues are interacting with each other. Are people moving around, or are they stuck to their chairs? How is the dress code? Do they look stressed or do they look engaged? Can you see people like you doing great? Can you relate? And finally, do you see yourself working here? If yes, go for it. If no, don’t go for it. If you’re confused, trust your instinct.

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The Expectation factor 

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You’re right! You should be aware of what you want. Keep your expectations in mind. A job for the sake of it is not getting you anywhere. Look around and see if this is what you expected an ideal workplace would be? Ask yourself if this is the kind of work you want to do. Ask yourself if you want to grow this way, grow in this field, but most importantly, do you see yourself growing as you expect? Finding out these answers helps you understand what your expectations and intentions are when it comes to a job.

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The Questioning!

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Now, this is very important. You’re attending an interview. Your future leader is sitting in front of you, and you haven’t joined yet. Make the most out of this situation. Find out all about your work here. Ask questions. Ask them about their vision. Where do they see this organization in the coming years? Look at them confidently in their eyes and get that information. Compare your values to that of the firm, compare your goals, compare your vision. Always remember, you should not be looking for something to occupy you with. Don’t look for an occupation, look for a career. Look for mutual growth.

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My experience

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I found out how to measure my compatibility with work cultures. I’ve found my niche in chaos. I’ve found my sanity in working for a revolutionary product. I got hired as a business development associate, but I am also part of content writing. I am also part of marketing. Exploring different areas and it’s the right time to increase my bandwidth, my growth, vertically and horizontally. I don’t call it luck, I don’t call it fate, I wanted it and I found it. Interlink your wants with your emotions. You’ll get there. 

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As a great man once told me, “Use your emotions as a sword, and not as a shield!”