Culture Questions You Should Ask Before Taking a Job

It can be hard to suss out the truth about a company’s environment during the interview process. If you don’t know anyone who works there personally, ask for introductions to people through LinkedIn and prepare a few culture-based questions that will help you understand HOW and WHY things are done versus WHAT is done. 

Ask, what behaviors or practices are most valued? Many companies are focused on creating psychologically safe environments where people feel comfortable asking for help. How does the company go about doing this? If you are a working parent or are caring for elder family members, are there others who work there that are in the same boat? If there are no women in leadership positions, that can be a red flag.

Think about specifically what you love about other places you’ve worked: Is it flexibility? Opportunities to socialize outside of work? A culture of transparency? Don’t be afraid to ask HR about the things you care about. No workplace is perfect, but a culture that is aligned with your interests and values is a big factor in job satisfaction. 

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