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\nSummary.<\/b> With there being more competition for skilled workers, the issue of company culture has come to the forefront. Culture isn\u2019t just imposed from the top, but something that everyone who works at a company is a part of. That means that bringing in new talent that clashes with the current culture can be disruptive, counterproductive, and even end up altering the culture.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n
In the case of a company having a positive culture, making sure that you don\u2019t hire someone who\u2019s disruptive to the culture should be a consideration. Many workers consider the company culture to be a major factor in how much they like their job and how likely they are to stay with the company.<\/p>\n
Key Takeaways:<\/b><\/p>\n
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Culture fit is making sure that the new employee\u2019s values and priorities match with the company\u2019s.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
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Asking culture-fit questions in a job interview can help to ascertain how well the candidate is likely to mesh with the current culture.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
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Hiring someone who fits well with the current culture decreases conflict, reinforces the culture, and helps them to adjust to the new workplace more quickly.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
What Is Culture Fit?<\/h2>\n
Every company has its own culture and set of values. If a candidate is a good fit for the company culture, then their way of doing things and core values are going to align with the organization\u2019s \u2013 as well as their fellow employees.<\/p>\n
Hiring a new employee that aligns with your company culture helps with shortening the adjustment period, reducing conflicts, and reinforcing the current culture. In the case of having a positive culture that your employees like, then enhancing or reinforcing the culture is a boon and likely to help with talent acquisition<\/a> across the board.<\/p>\n
Culture Fit Question Examples<\/h2>\n
There are myriad different questions that can be asked to try to determine company culture fit. However, when you choose your questions, you should be considering just what you want to highlight. What answers are you looking for? What answers are you not<\/i> looking for?<\/p>\n
The latter is more important than finding someone who gives you the right answers \u2013 you want to leave room for someone to surprise you.<\/p>\n
Here are some sample questions to ask in an interview.<\/p>\n
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What was the first job you ever had, and what did you learn from it?<\/b><\/p>\n
Should you especially care what their first job was? Probably not, though you\u2019re likely to get a few interesting answers. However, the important thing is how they dealt with that first brush with paid responsibility and what they\u2019ve carried with them into their career.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
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What are you passionate about outside of work?<\/b><\/p>\n
It\u2019s important to keep in mind that there isn\u2019t a wrong answer for this (unless perhaps they come up with something illegal or not work-appropriate). That being said, in terms of culture fit, it can be helpful if it\u2019s a hobby other employees share. Even if it isn\u2019t, if it\u2019s a hobby that\u2019s tangentially related or requires important skills, then it can be a major plus.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
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How do you prefer to be managed?<\/b><\/p>\n
Every organization has its own management<\/a> style. Some are very laid back, while others are more hands-on. If the interviewee describes a management style that is the polar opposite of the style preferred in your business, that could be an issue.<\/p>\n
That being said, it\u2019s important to note that just because they prefer it doesn’t mean they can\u2019t work well with other styles. Unless the answer is dishonest or disparages a particular management style, it\u2019s unlikely to be a deal breaker.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
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Do you prefer working individually or as part of a team?<\/b><\/p>\n
Again, in most cases, there isn’t a wrong answer for this. Most workplaces require at least some teamwork<\/a>, though there are some jobs that are extremely solitary. Most writing positions, for instance, involve a lot of time working alone. The same is true for a software engineer.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
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Which of our company\u2019s values do you identify the most with?<\/b><\/p>\n
This question serves two purposes. The first is to show whether or not the interviewee looked into what your company values are. The second is to see how they identify with those values and how they interpret them. The first shows that this is a person who does their homework, and the second shows how they\u2019re able to put things together.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
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What was something you liked about a previous job that you\u2019d like to have here?<\/b><\/p>\n
Everyone recommends staying away from negativity in an interview, which means that most interviewees would be reluctant to say much of anything bad about a previous job, even if asked about it. However, asking them for something positive is a different spin and is much more likely to make them open up.<\/p>\n
It also shows that they\u2019re able to pull positive aspects out of their previous experiences. You can try to gauge how sincere they are about their answer, as well as if it would be at all reasonable to implement a similar policy \u2013 if you don\u2019t already have one.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
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Under what circumstances would you quit a job in a month?<\/b><\/p>\n
This question hints at responsibility. You\u2019re likely not looking for an answer of \u201cif I get a better offer,\u201d though that may be an honest answer. However, the majority of interviewees are going to know that employers look for a bit of loyalty \u2013 or at least politeness \u2013 and will either say that they wouldn\u2019t or would mention an emergency.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
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How important is work-life balance to you?<\/b><\/p>\n
A question of this sort can really highlight the company culture. Many more organizations are beginning to prioritize work-life balance<\/a>, but there are still careers where you’re expected to devote yourself to your job. Depending on the nature of your business, one or the other answer can show the person to be a poor fit.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
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Have you ever had a conflict with a coworker? If so, how\u2019d you resolve it?<\/b><\/p>\n