The phone screen is a great opportunity for you to learn if the company culture is in alignment with the type of culture you’re seeking. You might consider researching the type of company culture you’re most interested in beforehand.

How would you describe the company culture?

This is a great, straightforward question to hear about how the interviewer would describe the company’s culture. Interviewers will often speak to what they like most about the culture, so it’s great to ask this question to multiple people throughout the interview process to get a holistic view of the culture.

I came across an interview with your CEO where she touched on several aspects of the company culture. What elements of the culture here do you like best?

Asking about company culture this way shows how you’ve researched the company and its executives. It’s a great way to display your interest in the organization.

What are the some of the main values of your company?

Companies often have missions or values that drive the decisions, attitudes, and goals of the company. Knowing and understanding these values can give you great insight into the type of culture that’s set.

How would you describe the office setting?

You can better understand the culture of a company by knowing how employees would describe the office environment. For example, an open seating floor plan and couches/areas to congregate and hang out in promote a more casual atmosphere.

Do you have any employee resource groups? If so, could you list a few?

This is a good question to ask if you’re looking for a company that promotes diversity and inclusion. If a company has resource groups or councils for underrepresented populations, it’s a sign that they may value diversity and inclusion. A good follow-up question would be “What influence do the resource groups have on decision making in the company?” This can help you understand how the company values the opinions and recommendations of the resource groups.