What is company culture? And why should you learn about it?

1. What is company culture?

Company culture can be defined as a set of shared values, goals, attitudes and practices that characterize an organization. In other words, it’s the personality of the company.

Some companies have traditional and formal style of management where decision making and big changes only come from the highest levels of the hierarchy, while some others are more based on team working principals where employees participate more actively at the process of decision making and each one of them can contribute to the global strategy. A third type of companies can have a more casual workplace where there no much regulations and rules.

1. How can you learn about a Company’s culture?

Learning and trying to find a company culture is not always an easy task.

Here are some tips to help you define the company culture when you are looking for a new job:

• Do some research: try to look into the company social media accounts, this will help know more about it and its personality. You can also check some trusted online resources that provide details on company culture and even reviews written by employees. (check Fairygodboss, Glassdoor, Indeed, Vault, CareerBliss, Kununu)

Publications on websites like Business Insider and Entrepreneur give annual lists of businesses with the best corporate culture.

• Check out the company Website: the “about us” page contain the description of the company, it’s story, values and missions. You can also head to the testimonial section, where you can read review from employees, clients and consultant, the same reviews exist on the company Facebook and LinkedIn page at the reviews section. This will help you make a first idea about the company culture.

• Ask around: Check LinkedIn to see if you have connection from your network that might be working at your future company. Turn to your recruiter’s friends and ask them for advices, they may have connections or know the HR manager working in the company you are interested in. Ask to set up an informational interview where you can learn more about the company.

• Shadow Someone: if you can get a pre-employment internship or simply get the job while still unsure of the company culture; ask if you can shadow someone for a day or some hours. This will be a helpful way to see the real dynamic inside the company and to ask the few remaining questions you have.

• Ask the right interview questions: during the job interview you might be asked questions to see whether you will fit into the company culture. However, when your turn comes, you can ask your questions too. So, you’d better prepare a list of questions related to the most important element to you.

1. Why should you learn about company culture?

Company culture is an important key to the success and development of each business. Employees tend to enjoy their time in the working place if they find that they are fitting in with the company culture.

Learning about company culture will help you decide whether you will like to work for that company or not. Actually, if the company shares the same values, ethics, goals and spirit as yours, it will be easier for you to spend your time at work, do your best to uplift the business and see your own success in the success of the company.

In other hand, if you work for a company where you don’t fit in with the culture, you are likely to take less pleasure out of your work.

For example, working at a company with a traditional management style, generally means that your job responsibilities will be strictly defined, and there may not be opportunities to advance without passing through a formal promotion.

 While working in a more casual workplace, means that employees will have more opportunities to take on new projects and additional roles.

If you are looking for a company that’s funny to work for, the company culture will be an important component of your decision making while evaluating your future employers.

At the end we can say that company culture is important to employers too because when workers feels that they fit in the company culture they will be not only happier but more productive and efficient. Also, when employees fit in with the culture they will want to work longer for that company.

Sources :

Find out more interesting articles, visit our blog: