How to tell if a company's culture is right for you?👶
Would you be interested in working for a remote-friendly company with this job description?
“We work a lot of hours since this is the start-up. However, we all leave our WFH stations at 5pm/6pm so we can go to the gym, eat dinner at a healthy hour, and play with our kids before they go to sleep. After 8pm/9pm we get back on the computer and do conference calls if needed.”
Hey - at least you get to play with your kids. Today is International Children's Day so about 3 hours is more than enough. Right?! How much free time do you need anyway?
I actually commend this company in a way. At least they’re being upfront about it when many rarely admit this in their job descriptions, despite it being the reality! According to a Glassdoor survey, 61% of respondents said aspects of their new job were different from what they expected after the interview. And the company culture was one of the most significant differences.
Even though you’re not physically in the office, company culture is an important thing to keep in mind when you're looking for a remote job. Whether you’re new to the job market or 50 years in, finding a company that aligns with your values or ethics can really contribute to your sense of purpose.
But the question is - how do you determine whether a company's culture matches your own values and needs? A good tip is to ask specific questions during interviews. By setting up scenarios, you can learn a lot about a culture. Otherwise, the recruiter or hiring manager might use overly general statements such as 'We're collaborative!' 'We focus on outcomes,' or 'We believe in diversity and inclusion'.
So prepare questions ahead of time and make them as specific as possible. If you ask the right questions, you can learn much more than you think. For instance, instead of asking “How would you describe your culture?” try posing a more pointed question such as “How does the company ensure there is a sense of community even when people are working remotely?”
But if you don’t know how to do this, don’t worry. I can help you! I have a coaching programme to expedite landing a remote job... and an online course coming soon!
To celebrate International Children’s Day, instead of our usual weekly jobs, here are some remote-friendly organisations that are ideal for parents:
Happy Hump Day!
Michelle