Fitting Into The Company Culture

Have you ever felt like a square peg in a round hole at your workplace? Have you ever felt like everyone else is in on a joke that you don't understand? Maybe it's because you didn't fit in with the company's culture.

Culture is basically the belief system and values of a group of people. Just like with human beings, the culture of each company is unique and different. You can either find a company where your beliefs and values mesh with a company or you can learn to adapt to a particular company's culture after you start working there. It's much easier to find the company culture you agree with and try to get a job there than it is to get a job and have to alter your belief system to keep your job.

And how would you know this before getting hired? There are plenty of signs that you can look for when you go in for the interview. This is why I always suggest that job seekers make a point of actually going in to a company before applying for a job there. Are the people that work there in a bad mood? How are they dressed? Do you get a good feeling when you walk in the lobby?

Another thing to consider is the dress code. Many companies allow employees to wear jeans and casual wear to work. Is that how you feel most comfortable? If the dress code is very strict and you aren't comfortable wearing a suit and tie every day you might want to think about a more relaxed place to work.

Some companies allow employees to bring their dogs to work. If you're a dog lover that might be a big plus when you're thinking about where you'd like to work. Is that a type of corporate culture atmosphere you'd be comfortable with?

This is why you should always find out as much as possible about the company culture before applying for a job. You can tell a lot from what you see around the office. How is it decorated? What do employees have on their desks? Is creativity encouraged or is it frowned upon?

If you don't want to alter your personality to fit the situation, then find a place where you will be comfortable right from the start. It's better to know upfront what they will expect from you than to find it out later after you are already hired.