Why You Must Understand Your Company Culture Before You Hire

When you have a hole to fill on your team, it’s easy to want to get the hiring process moving as quickly as possible. However, it’s important to take a minute to stop and consider the kind of candidate you want to bring on board before you make a final decision. This ensures that the person you select will contribute positively to your organization, and that they’ll stick around because they fit well within your office.

Determining company culture before hiring

One way that you can make a hiring decision that lasts is by analyzing the culture found within your office before you even begin to conduct interviews. This helps you to get a clearer picture about the kind of person who would do best in the open position. There are a few questions you can ask yourself in order to get a sense of the company culture found within your office. They include:

• How does your team work together? Do they collaborate frequently, or is it more of an independent working environment?
• Is the office typically quiet or filled with chatter?
• What’s the process like when it comes to changing policies within the office? Does one person make the decision or does the group get together and weigh in on the best way to proceed?

Answering these questions (remember, there’s no right or wrong response to any of the inquiries) helps a hiring manager to better understand the kind of office they have, allowing them to search for the ideal candidate more effectively.

Understand that it’s not just about the job description

Yes, you need someone to perform a list of specific duties in order to keep company productivity on track. However, there are probably things that you’ll need a new employee to do that aren’t necessarily within their job description. For example, they’ll have to be able to get along well with their colleagues, and may need to help others brainstorm new ideas. You may also need to ensure that they interact with clients well, depending on the kind of business you operate. Consider these subtle requirements as you’re making a hiring decision.

Think about personality as well as experience

While a person’s resume and background matter, ultimately personality plays a major role in whether or not this individual will enjoy success within your company too. A team member can have all of the experience necessary to excel, but if they are constantly picking fights with colleagues, you’ll probably find that you regret your hiring decision. It’s much better to choose someone who requires more training but brings positivity and enthusiasm to the office each day.

What other points do you consider as you get ready to bring a new team member on board? Let us know in the comments! 

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