The #1 Key To Ensuring Happiness in a New Job

The joy you feel when offered a new job can quickly turn to dread when you have to spend another day at a workplace you can’t stand. It can happen to the best of us, but there is something you can do to avoid a bad match.

Most people realize that finding a company that is a good match to their preferred workstyle is important. Roughly 2/3 of all workers (and 80% of millennials) state that company culture is one of the biggest considerations they weigh before accepting a job offer. But, how can you really know if a company is fast paced and energetic or a place where you can feel comfortable working at your own pace? Review sites like Glassdoor can help, but they can’t possibly tell the whole story. You need to dig deeper.

Before You Start, Rank What Is Actually Important To You

Make a list of everything that you are looking for in terms of company culture, and then rank them from most important to least important. Finding a place that has flexible work schedules so that you can pick your children up from school may be very important to you, so much so that you may be able to live without extra vacation or work-from-home opportunities. Making this list will help you weigh different opportunities to see which one best matches your specific cultural needs.

Seek Out the Voices Of Current Employees

One of the best ways to get an idea of company culture is to seek out the voices of current employees who work at a company you are targeting. If you already identified connections to this company to help you when applying, they may also be able to give you a good idea of what the workplace is like or was like when they worked there. During your interview you can also ask for a tour or to meet a few people in the department. That can give you a good idea of things like dress code and you may even be able to get some cards to follow-up to see if you can drill deeper into what working there is like. As a final resort, you can also check for connections or reach out to current employees on LinkedIn.

Let The Company’s Online Presence Paint A Picture

One social post may not give you a clear view of a company’s culture, but looking at a company’s online presence as a whole will. This starts at the official company website, where you can gain valuable information from the “About Us” section, and expands towards social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Ask Questions During Your Initial Phone Screen Or Interview

Take advantage of opportunities to ask questions directly to hiring managers. Whether you are having an initial phone screening or an in person interview, have several pre-determined company culture questions ready to ask. Companies want to hire good cultural fits, so asking questions will show hiring managers that you are interested in making sure that you will thrive in your new job. Make sure the questions are job-specific, and that they reflect well on your drive and potential.