How to Find the Best Work Culture for You

Editor's Note: Take a look at our featured best practice, Organization Culture Assessment Questionnaire (8-page Word document). Each organization has its own culture -- the beliefs and norms of behavior that guide individual actions and decisions. These define what is expected from the members of the organization in order to "fit in." To under your organization's corporate culture, we can leverage an organizational [read more]

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Working for a new company goes beyond just looking at any available position that matches your skills. You also need to consider the company culture and if its values match those that are important to you. Working for a company with values that do not align with yours can make you feel unsatisfied after working for only a short period. So, here’s how to find the best work culture for you.

What Is Work Culture? 

Work culture refers to the beliefs, attitudes, and behaviours that make up the workplace environment. A healthy workplace is when the company’s culture aligns with the employees. Work culture determines how well a new employee can fit into their new workplace and their ability to establish good working relationships with their colleagues. The employees’ work-life balance, satisfaction, and opportunities will depend on their workplace culture. 

Company leaders set the tone for the workplace through the policies they implement, benefits they provide and the company’s overall mission. They shape the company culture through their hiring practices, where they choose to hire those with a culture that aligns with the organisation. 

Working for a company with a culture that aligns your values and career aspirations is the key to achieving satisfaction at work. Therefore, before you start looking for jobs, you must first evaluate which values are most important to you. How important is work-life balance to you? Will your passions align with the company you plan to work for?

Why is Work Culture Important?

Workplace culture is important for many reasons. It can guide employees in making decisions and how to interact with clients and their colleagues. Positive work culture is one where people feel valued and pleased to be part of the team. It drives engagement and improves retention, which is essential for business growth. 

Workplace culture significantly impacts the satisfaction and happiness of employees. Companies with strong workplace culture have happier and more satisfied employees. The workplace culture also affects the overall team performance. Research shows that organisations with positive work culture outperform other companies and are generally more successful.

How to Find the Best Work Culture

Start by understanding which values are most important to you. This could range from the things you value at work and life in general. Once you have identified your values, it will be easier for you to decide whether a company is a culture fit for you or not. 

Research the company to learn more about its workplace culture. Check their website and find out their mission and vision and understand how they operate. Refer to their social media channels and find out what they say and share. Then, see for yourself if you agree with their business ethics. 

You might also want to get help from recruitment agencies like Lightning Travel Recruitment, who know how much candidates look for a good work culture when applying for roles. They can help you find the company that’s a culture fit for you since they align the right people to the business according to work culture.

Want to Achieve Excellence in Organizational Culture (OC)?

Gain the knowledge and develop the expertise to become an expert in Organizational Culture (OC). Our frameworks are based on the thought leadership of leading consulting firms, academics, and recognized subject matter experts. Click here for full details.

Organizational Culture, also referred to as Corporate Culture or Company Culture, is the set of underlying and shared beliefs, vision, assumptions, values, habits, business philosophies, and ways of interacting that contribute to the unique social and psychological environment of the organization.

Organizational Culture permeates the organization, affecting all functions and all levels. It starts with what employees do and how they do it—and ultimately drives why employees do what they do. Culture is like the DNA of the organization.

That is why a healthy Company Culture leads to strong Performance, Growth, and Excellence—and the opposite is also true. For any initiative to be successful, we need a Corporate Culture that inherently supports that initiative.

Learn about our Organizational Culture (OC) Best Practice Frameworks here.