How do we identify company culture?

There are several ways to identify company culture but here are some common ways that can be used to identify them:

1. Looking for what stays the same

There are several aspects in a company that usually remain the same, such as cultural aspects throughout the company's history. It could be the way the company was founded or their ethical aspects.

2. Determining the structure

Culture can vary depending on the way the company is structured, it can either be hierarchical or non-hierarchical. The blog covering the different types of culture could be helpful for this too. (click to read here)

3. Examining how the company engages with its employees

Whether or not a company has good culture is evident in the way the company engages with its employees and the surrounding community. A good corporate culture usually consists of support and effective communication, as well as proper recognition of efforts and opportunities for growth.

If you are an employee, here are some ways to find out about a company's work culture:

1. The Company Website

The company's website is a good starting point to learn about the company culture. There is usually an 'About Us' section, in which the description of the company, the history and the missions and values can be found. There may also be some things about the culture and sometimes, the website may even have employee testimonials, which would allow employees to discover the company's culture firsthand.

2. Online Research

There are always reviews of companies online, either by customers or employee. For example, Glassdoor could be a good resource as they provide reviews and ratings of the company that have been written by the employees themselves.

3. Networking

If you're an employee, you can also ask people from your own personal network who may know people who work at the company you're interested in.

4. Shadowing Someone

If you are someone who is seeking a job at a company and you would like to know more about the culture, you can ask to shadow someone for a day or few hours. This way, you'll be able to see firsthand what the working dynamics are like.

References:

https://www.veristat.com/blog/how-to-determine-a-companys-culture-in-three-easy-steps