Q & A: Meghan M. Biro on How to Find the Right Work Culture For You
Meghan M. Biro is the Founder and Principal of Talent Culture, LLC. A former Senior Consultant
in the Software Technology Group of Winter, Wyman & Company, Meghan’s experience includes Talent Acquisition from the Fortune 500 to start-ups. You can find Meghan and fellow members of the Talent Culture community discussing ideas at the intersection of talent and culture every Tuesday from 8 to 9 pm EDT on Twitter under the hashtag #tchat.
We asked Meghan for a few quick tips on how to identify a work place culture that fits you.
Recognizing that job seekers have different tastes in ideal work environments, are there any universal characteristics of a “great company” to work for?
A great company has a strong brand and a positive workplace culture that’s obvious from the first phone screen. Look for emotional intelligence on the part of the people with whom you interview.
Are they self-aware, focused on workplace culture as well as the work and open to hearing about the skills, strengths and goals of the job seeker?
What’s the best way to assess workplace culture – how it really is, not just appearances – during a job search process?
I recommend doing a culture audit of employers throughout the job search process. Here’s a quick list of recommended links you can use to learn how to assess workplace culture.
Sites like Glassdoor, Vault, and Salary.com can help you evaluate employee satisfaction, benefits, compensation; company marketing materials and websites often share information on benefits and employee value. As you review, compare what others say to your own values – is there alignment?
Here are sample questions you might ask:
- Does the company invest in training to ensure employee success?
- Does management have an open door policy? Is there a good stream of employee communications in the company?
- Are employees challenged? Do your homework, look on LinkedIn, and make connections with people you know. Ask.
It’s been said that job search is like the Broadway Show “A Chorus Line”: A lot of focus on the “pick me” aspect and not enough on the “is this the right role for me.” Any recommended strategies to ensure interviewing is a mutual selection process?
Personality and culture fit are key to ensuring interviewing is a mutual selection process. Knowing your personality is most important because it is by and large immutable. You should know which personality attributes to leverage in a job search and which to downplay.
Culture is different – assessing a company’s culture in advance can provide the information necessary to evaluate how you will ‘fit’ in the organization. This is basic research, and every candidate should invest the time to do it – it’s for you and your future.
Any bad assumptions on workplace culture you’ve seen job seekers make?
People assume because their friends like a workplace’s culture then they will too, and many times that doesn’t prove to be the case.
Do you have any “never ask” questions for job seekers in interviewing (aside from the “don’t ask yet” questions on salary, benefits, etc.)?
Never ask if you can work at home on a first interview. It may give the interviewer the idea that you’re not serious about the company. Don’t ask – and I had someone do this in an interview once – what the separation policy is if the job isn’t working out. That person, as it turned out, had one foot out the door from the beginning.
Are there any questions I haven’t asked that I should be asking? What’s the question, and what’s your answer?
Ask, ‘What’s the most important thing I can do in this role to make you, the hiring manager, successful?’ My answer would probably be ‘Never surprise me – tell me if you’re doing ok, or if you’re in the weeds on a project or task. Aim for constant communication and transparency, and don’t be afraid to fail – if you tell me in time, we can turn it around.’
Use it now—actionable—advice for job seekers:
- Know who you are.
- Work on establishing a personal brand.
- Match your personality to a company’s culture.
- Always strive for excellence – and always be thinking one job ahead.
