Part II – The Best for Your Preferred Company Culture With many jobs to choose from in an employees’ market, how do you find a company culture you’ll love as much as you love your career choice? Why is company culture important? Monday – Friday, one-third or more of your time is spent on the job. It’s essential to spend that time in a non-toxic place where you can thrive. After all, if you are unhappy in your work, your performance—and often your health—will decline. So, it isn’t too much to ask to enjoy yourself while working, and these six simple steps will help you make an informed decision. Know yourself: values, likes, and expectations  Make a list of qualities you are looking for, those you dislike and those you find are tolerable.   Be brutally honest with yourself. No fudging. If you don’t like to travel, then don’t think that you can accept a job that requires it, but you will change the requirements. Things don’t work that way, and an interviewer would see through that pretense. Do your due diligence before you apply  Review the company’s website to see if you can get an idea of culture and list your questions or concerns. Sometimes a jobs or career page will describe what it is like to work there, what is valued, and what benefits it offers. Take time to read the “about us” page so you can get a big picture overview. Do this, too, for social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. These pages are more current than branded websites and may provide clarity on some concerns. It is also common practice to check out reviews of the company on Glassdoor.com or Salary.com. Always take reviews you read with caution as not everyone will have the same perspective or desires as you, but you can get a glimpse of what might be an issue or an incentive. Try to make contact with someone at the company by letting someone know you are interested in working there. Ask if they or someone to whom they could refer you might be willing to talk a bit about working at the company or about their job. Ask pertinent questions during the interview  Culture is usually determined from the top down and goes well beyond processes and perks. Be direct. Ask questions such as: “Does your company have written corporate values?” Or, “How do employees learn and develop to advance in the organization?” Or, “How are your busiest times of the year handled?”  Inquire about marketing and promotional materials  These items are meant to “sell” the company and its products. See if what you read in these items jibes with messages in other due diligence resources.  Don’t underestimate your observation of other employees at work or the overall vibe of the place.  Do employees look happy? Is there underlying stress or tension? Do people appear empowered or controlled? Are there family photos or personal items displayed? Is there a sense of teamwork? What is on the walls and desks of managers? How is the office set-up? Are there conference rooms? In what state is the décor? How is the break room equipped? These observations can speak volumes about the overt and subtle aspects of culture.  You can also depend on staffing companies like MPS Technical to have current and pertinent insights on client companies with whom they work. Don’t overlook working with a staffing firm as this could save you time and worry about finding a cultural fit. MPS Technical specializes in providing talented, qualified employees for the precision manufacturing industry. If you have in mind to work for a manufacturing firm, we would like to talk with you about your interests and the companies we represent. We’re here to listen and consider your specific needs. Let’s talk today.