Tips for asking about company culture
We previously discussed the Top Questions To Ask About Workplace Culture - now let’s discuss how and when you should ask these questions - and what you should be listening for in the recruiter / interviewer / hiring manager’s responses.
Do some research. Before your interview, do some digging to find out as much about the company's culture as possible. See what kind of social media presence they have and whether they include anything relevant on their website. Use what you find to inform your questions and guide your conversation.
Ask employees questions. If you get the chance to meet with any employees of the company, make a point to ask them some questions about the company's culture. They may be able to give you more authentic answers since you may potentially become one of them.
Reflect on your own preferences. When coming up with a list of questions, determine what's important to you. If you need a social work environment, come up with questions that can help you learn if a company is open and collaborative. If you need flexibility and freedom, ask about their schedule expectations. Make sure your questions help you gain a better understanding of what it's like to work there.
Ask the same questions. When you have a series of interviews, ask the same questions at the end of each interview. Afterward, write down some notes to help you remember each interviewer's answers. Once you are done with all of your interviews, compare your notes to see which workplace is the best fit for you.