As a Gen Zer, company culture was a major deciding factor when I was job searching.
Like many people of my generation, I value a workplace that prioritizes diversity, work/life balance and professional growth.
So I was surprised to hear hiring expert and entrepreneur Brianna Doe say it may not be smart to ask “What is the company culture like?” in a job interview.
Doe worked in marketing for roughly a decade, started leading hiring interviews seven years ago, and now, as founder of her own agency, Verbatim, will soon be hiring her own full-time staff. Doe says that she hears the question time and time again — and has even asked it herself.
“What I found was that it was just too vague or generic,” she says. “When I would ask that question, I would get the cookie-cutter answers of, ‘We have a great culture’ or ‘We really focus on collaboration.’”
To get a better idea of the culture of a company, ask these questions instead, Doe advises:
• What are the common themes that you find among your highest performers?
• What would the first 30 days look like for the person in this role?
• What are some ways that success will be measured in the first 90 days? In the first year?
Remember you’re not the only one being evaluated in an interview; take the opportunity to evaluate the company, too. By asking smart questions, you’ll get a stronger sense of the values of the hiring manager and the organization. Then, you can better decide if the company is the right fit for you.
CNBC