Discuss Culture During InterviewAt the end of every interview - they want to know if you have any questions... I'm wondering if it's o.k. to ask about the Company Culture at that time? I know all of the typical "how can I serve the company" questions, but I'm often left wondering if I want to work there because the interview is away from the work space and your potential co-workers! Can I ask about employees having to stay late on a regular basis (can I work from home instead?), weekly "happy hour" runs with the team (I don't drink alcohol..), do they communciate in person or by email (you know... you wonder why the person in the next cube didn't just lean over and ask) ... etc. I wonder about these things because I've been in a position before where I did my job fabulously, but gave the impression of a pariah because I didn't participate in after hours activities! (My hubby and kids are more important!) What are some good culture questions?! I wouldn't bother asking. This is going to be an issue anywhere you go. I don't think there is anything wrong with being a lone wolf who is just focused on her work, but you have to keep in mind that most people are extroverted by nature and if you don't make an effort to bond with your coworkers they'll assume there is something wrong with you. There isn't, of course. But most people aren't bright enough to make the connection. You have two choices; you can adapt and become more outgoing, or you can learn to live with the whispers and the dirty looks. There are pluses and minuses to both. But if your social focus is your family, I'd just make an effort not to take workplace crititism of your social habits personally. Just make sure you conduct yourself professionally and that your work is above reproach. There's a difference between Company Culture and the things you're asking about. Company Culture is probably something you can pick up from their website and from the interviews. That's going to be big picture stuff like "we support environmental awareness and conservation." "We put people first", things like that. What you're asking about are specific to each department and manager and the make up of each bunch of folks. Does the department tend to socialize? You'll just have to wait and see. Should you join in? Depends. Will the guy in the cube toss a paperclip over the fence or email? You'll have to see. Of course you can also influence those things by leaning over yourself instead of emailing. Overtime is something I probably wouldn't ask about unless it is a deal breaker for you. Remember, that doing your job includes getting along with others. There is a lot of room between being a social butterfly and a pariah. You need to find something in the middle and not put your co-workers off. That does not mean you have to go out for drinks every night, but you could join in on some things from time to time and be friendly in the middle. You might even organize things that include families from time to time. Remember, this doesn't have to be all or nothing. There's lots of middle ground. Inviting a coworker who has children to go with you and your children to the new children's movie at the Cinnaplex some weekend would go a long way in a lot of offices.
Tess Company culture is a legitimate concern, but I'd be asking more questions about the job itself. Like others have said, you can get an idea of the culture by doing outside research. If it's a big company, maybe you have a friend who knows someone that works there that you could go to lunch with. I just got my first legit job out of college, so I don't have as much experience interviewing as some here, but I found one thing that helps is asking to talk to more people at the firm on your interview. My interviewer asked if I'd mind taking questions from a couple of managers. I said I wouldn't, then asked if it'd be ok to speak to other people that were on the same work group that I'd be on. I learned more in those 15 minutes that I spent talking with other people about how I'd fit in than in my 2 hrs with the interviewer. Obviously, some places may not be that flexible or spend that much time on you, but maybe you could ask before the interview if they'd mind letting you talk to other people. | |
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