I often read that companies look for people that fit into their culture but what does that mean?
What Is a Culture Fit?
According to The Balance, “The candidate whose values, beliefs, outlook and behavior are congruent with those existing within the current organization is likely to be a good cultural fit for the organization…Cultural fit is the ability of an employee to comfortably work in an environment that is congruent with his own beliefs, values, and needs.”
After reviewing several definitions, I understood. There are some cultures I just know I wouldn’t fit into, no matter how hard I tried. For example, I wouldn’t last in the public school system as a teacher in a classroom with 30 students teaching academic topics, but I would do well as a learning and development specialist teaching small groups of adults on soft skills and software topics.
Also, it would be difficult (but not impossible) for me to work in “stuffy” or bureaucratic environments because I’m laid-back and results-oriented. I once worked as a temporary employee at a government agency where it took at least three people and three weeks to get approval for something that was needed yesterday. I was appalled. I’ve always worked in corporate environments where approvals for urgent matters were granted within five days max.
Just like companies are checking me out, I do the same. I research companies before applying to find out where they are located; to get a feel for their mission, values and culture; to find out what they offer employees; and to read what employees say about them. I look at the company’s about page, press releases, social networks, news reports and other sources to gather this information.
Questions About Culture Fit
However, I do wonder:
- How can recruiters determine a culture fit by looking a person’s resume?
- How can a culture fit be determined from a telephone screen?
- How many candidates have been dismissed from the job search process based on misjudgment by the recruiter?
I have found answers to a few of these questions and will not discuss them in this post. However, I will say that no matter how much you want or need a job, you may not be a good fit for the company or the position. If you’re rejected for that reason, be thankful. You’ll be back in job search mode and starting this emotional, laborious process all over again within only a few months.
Know this: you will get the job that is meant for you regardless of the amount of time, effort and preparation you put into your job search.
What About You?
Have you ever had an experience where you were a cultural misfit or ideal fit? How did that work out?
Let us know in the comment box below.
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