Employees are an organisation's most valuable asset. It is therefore in the best interest of employers to attract the right people. The location, the benefits and the salary package: these are things potential employees take into account when perusing job vacancies. But a good cultural fit is equally important. A recent study by global recruitment firm Robert Walters found that a staggering 73% of professionals surveyed had already resigned due to a poor cultural fit.
Are you currently looking for a new challenge? Make sure you research the culture of your potential employer before you send out your CV, says Evi Melkenbeke, HR Manager at Robert Walters.
What is it exactly?
"A cultural fit is the match between employer and applicant based on shared values, vision and motivations. The better the match, the happier you will be as an employee and ultimately, the better you will perform" explains Evi.
Benefits
Professionals perform better when they are aligned with the company culture. According to a study by Robert Walters, 90% also say they get more satisfaction from their job. This has a positive influence on the personal well-being of employees. But that is not the only benefit of a cultural fit: 81% of the managers surveyed are convinced that professionals are less likely to leave when the cultural fit is good. "It therefore increases employee loyalty and commitment to the organisation. Good to know, because losing staff not only costs employers money, but also a lot of time and effort," says Evi.
Investigating corporate culture
As many as 9 out of 10 respondents claim to research the company culture before accepting a job offer. "And that is good news. To find your dream job, it is important to focus on that cultural fit. Researching the organisation is a good start, but the fact that three quarters of professionals have already resigned because the company culture did not feel right means that many are still making the wrong choices" says Evi.
Which company culture suits you?
So how do you make the right choice? "First of all, it is important to know what company culture suits you. Think about the culture you would like to work in. Is flexibility or diversity important to you? Or do you particularly want to work in an organisation where performance and efficiency are rewarded? Determine a number of criteria that you feel an organisation should definitely meet. After you have discovered which culture suits you, it is time to get to know the culture of the organisation you want to apply for.
Check the job advertisement, the website and the social media of the company. Is there any reference to the company's culture or values? Do they match your personal motives? If that is the case, you are already on the right track to making that organisation your ideal match," says Evi.
Ask the right questions and pay attention
During the job interview, you can also ask about the values and norms of the company. How do colleagues treat each other? Are there any activities outside working hours? Don't be afraid to ask about the benefits you could gain from the job during the interview as well. How do the possibilities for growth look for someone with my position?" and "Are extra training courses an option? At the same time, pay attention: how you are received upon arrival, or how your questions are answered, can reveal a lot about the organisation" says Evi.
Talk to (ex-)employees, or go for a trial run
Still haven't been convinced by your research and questions? Or have you not yet been able to form a clear picture of your future employer? In that case, you might want to talk to former employees. Perhaps they can tell you more about the company culture. You can even ask if you can come and do a trial run. That way you really get to know what it is like in the workplace.
More information
If you're looking for a new challenge, check out our latest vacancies or contact one of our offices.
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