Company Culture and Its Importance

Company Culture and Its ImportanceCompany Culture and Its ImportanceWhat is company culture and how does it impact the workplace? Company culture is the personality of a company. It defines the environment in which employees work. Company culture includes a variety of elements, including work environment, company mission, value, ethics, expectations, and goals. For example, some companies have a team-based culture with employee participation on all levels, while others have a more traditional and formal management style. Other companies have a casual workplace without many rules and regulations. Google is an example of an organization with a clear company culture. According to the website, the company still feels like a small company with an informal atmosphere, even though it has grown tremendously At lunchtime, almost everyone eats in the office caf, sitting at whatever table has an opening and enjoying conversations with Googlers from different teams Every employee is a hands-on c ontributor no one hesitates to pose questions directly to Larry or Sergey in our weekly all-hands (TGIF) meetings or spike a volleyball across the net at a corporate officer. Why Company Culture Matters Company culture is important to employees because workers are more likely to enjoy their time in the workplace when they fit in with the company culture. Employees tend to enjoy work when their needs and values are consistent with those in the workplace. They tend to develop better relationships with coworkers and are even more productive. On the other hand, if you work for a company where you dont fit in with the company culture, you are likely to take far less pleaaya out of your work. For example, if you prefer to work independently, but work for a company that emphasizes teamwork (or has shared office spaces), you are likely to be less happy and less efficient. When you work at a company with a traditional management style your job responsibilities will be clearly defined, a nd there may not be opportunities to advance without going through a formal promotion or transfer process. At a more casual workplace, employees often have the opportunity to take on new projects, and additional roles, as time permits. If youre looking for a company thats fun to work for, the company culture will be a big component of your decision making when evaluating prospective employers. Company culture is important to employers too because workers who fit in with the company culture are likely to not only be happier, but more productive. When an employee fits in with the culture, they are also likely to want to work for that company for longer. Thus, employers can improve productivity and employee zurckhalten through a strong office culture. How to Learn About Companys Culture When job searching, it is important to look for jobs where you would fit in with the company culture. However, it is not always easy to understand a companys culture. Below are some tips for assessi ng a companys culture during your job search Check out the company website. In particular, look at the companys About Us page. This will often have a description of the companys mission and values. Some company websites also have testimonials from employees, which can be a useful way to hear about the culture firsthand.Do some research. Beyond looking at the company website, you can also check out a number of online resources that provide details on company culture. Glassdoor, for example, provides reviews of companies written by employees. Publications and websites like Business Insider and Entrepreneur also create annual lists of organizations with the best company culture. Ask around. If you know someone who works for a company youre interested in, ask to set up an informational interview where you can learn more about the company. Check LinkedIn to landsee if you have connections at the company you can talk to. College alumni, check with your career services or alumni office. Yo u may be able to talk to alumni who are employed by your prospective employer to get a sense of what its like to work there.Ask the right interview questions. The employer will likely ask you questions to assess whether youd fit into the company culture. However, you can ask questions too. Simply asking, How would you describe your companys culture? is a straightforward way to learn about the work environment. You might also ask about particular elements of the company that are important to you, such as the amount of independent work vs. teamwork, or the day-to-day schedule of an employee. Shadow someone. If you are offered the job and are still unsure of the companys culture, ask if you can shadow someone in the department for a day or a few hours. This will be a useful way to see the office dynamics in play and to ask any remaining questions. Make Sure Theres a Good Fit Jobs arent just a paycheck, and, given the amount of time spent working, its important for both the employee and the employer to make sure theres a good fit. If youre not going to be happy working at a job or for a company, it may be better to pass on the opportunity and move on. Before you accept a job youre not sure about, take some to ensure its a good fit for your skill set, experience, personality, and goals for the future.