My company focuses on providing quality career services. We offer employees flexible work options and we do not house everyone in a physical location. You have to like communicating in methods other than face-to-face to work here. As president of a professional association, I emphasize the need for workers to put a little fun in their professional development – so we are going to the “happiest place on earth” – Orlando, Florida, aka Disney World – for our annual conference. Maybe I could describe my company atmosphere as “quality fun.” ~David M. Reile, Ph.D.
Photo by Austin Distel on Unsplash
FOCUS ON: Does the Company Try to Retain Employees?
The interview and first few weeks on the job may focus on the perks of the work culture (e.g., Food Truck Fridays), but what about after that excitement wears off? Does the company offer mentoring, encourage exploration and instill a purpose? Understanding what keeps employees on the payroll is key. Read More.
FOR PRACTITIONERS: Cutthroat Work Culture Consequences
If your clients are complaining about their employer, make sure you discuss the real world of cutthroat organizations. Helping your clients see the downside of abdicating responsibility, “stupid rules” and lack of fun in the company culture may provide motivation to move on. Read more about how cutthroat cultures suck the life out of employees.
GENDER IN THE WORKPLACE: Fostering the Right Culture for Ambitious Women
While men and women seem to enter the work world with similar levels of ambition, by ages 30-40 the gap is rather large. Building a gender-diverse leadership team is just one way to close the ambition gap. Being mindful of the informal culture in the workplace widens the talent pool. Read more about fostering the right culture.
TOP TEN: Questions to Ask in an Interview to Learn More About Company Culture
Don’t wait until the work starts to learn about the company. Asking specific questions in the interview is one key to making good job choices. Questions that reveal management style, employee personality traits and commitment to collaboration allow the job seeker to begin to understand company culture. Read all ten interview questions.
YOUR LIBRARY: Online Corporate Searches
Add these websites to your list of resources for learning more about company culture:
Glassdoor http://www.glassdoor.com – the Company Reviews tab allows you to search for employers and see what employees think are the pros and cons about working there. The Muse https://www.themuse.com/ – the Explore Companies tab specifically states that “company culture is important” so take a look inside offices before applying to make sure you’ll love working there. BusinessCulture.org http://businessculture.org/ – offers short guides on business culture and etiquette in 31 countries in Northern, Eastern, Southern, and Western Europe.
QUOTES
“Good manners are cost effective. They not only increase the quality of life in the workplace, they contribute to employee morale, embellish the company image, and play a major role in generating profit.” - Letitia Baldridge
“Coming together is a beginning, staying together is progress, and working together is success.” - Henry Ford