How to Research a Company's Culture Before Accepting a Job

When looking for a job, it’s common to try to find out about the company's location and the position’s salary, but there are other elements that job seekers frequently overlook. Lately, a lot of companies have come under fire for bad company culture. According to a SHRM study, in the last five years, one of five employees has left their job because of bad work culture.

It's exciting to get a job offer, but you want to make sure you fit with the company culture before accepting.  People want to work in environments where they can freely voice their opinions and collaborate with others. This allows you to nurture stronger relationships with your coworkers and work more confidently.

What to Look for in a Company Culture

Researching a company and its culture before starting a job is essential. A company's culture is the way things work in a company. It is a broad term encompassing team collaboration, employee benefits, work practices, management style, office space, work-life balance, commitment to DE&I, and more.

When researching a company, look for information, reviews, and news you can find about the company and its clientele. Evaluate its online presence and ask around your network. Your interaction with the company itself during the application, interview, and hiring processs will also give you an idea of what to expect after you’re hired.

5 Places to Go to Research a Company's Culture

A company will undoubtedly present itself in the best possible light on its website and social media pages. 

Unfortunately, not every company is transparent about its culture, which can make it difficult for job seekers to determine if they would be a good fit. But how to research company culture and know if a company is a good fit? There are many efficient ways to research a company's culture and gather valuable data.

Company's Profile on iHire

When organizations partner with iHire to advertise their openings, they have the opportunity to create well-rounded company profiles, which you can access by viewing their jobs. 

You'll find employee testimonials, benefits, and company culture details here. Having prior knowledge about these will facilitate your job hunting experience.

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Employer's About Us Page

Is the company invested in maintaining its online presence?

When researching a company, the first stop is the company's own website. Reviewing the About Us section can help you understand the company’s vision and mission. Do you see yourself being a part of the company’s growth?

Learn what they say about their culture. What are their values, principles, and services like? 

Review Sites

If there's not enough information on the company's website, tons of other free websites, like Glassdoor, Kununu, and JobAdvisor, provide a platform for company reviews. 

By providing anonymous employee reviews, these websites have made it easier for people to speak up about their experiences at work, and companies that used to be considered great places to work are now being criticized.

Good companies will have plenty of positive reviews. A few negative reviews are generally OK, as competitors or disgruntled employees may post them. But if there are similar themes or concerns in those negative reviews, then that’s a red flag.

Social Media Channels

Social media works as a mirror of the company. It’s worthwhile to research the company’s Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn pages. Is the company posting about its latest projects, job postings, or employee development activities? What content the company is posting and how they respond to comments and queries says a lot about the company’s culture.

You can also take this chance to connect with other company employees who engage with these posts.

Current and Former Employees

Once you're done researching a company on social media, ask people in your network if they know about the company and its culture.

The company's employees are the ambassadors of the company. Their comments about the company greatly impact its reputation. Try to connect with current and former employees to get better insight into the company's culture. 

Questions as simple as "Why do you like working for this company?" or "What was your reason for leaving?" will give you the answers you need. 

You’ll definitely benefit from an insider’s view and words of advice.

When you're on the hunt for a new job, culture is an important factor. It can make or break your decision to accept a position. Try to learn as much as possible about the company's culture before going for an interview and ultimately deciding whether or not to accept an offer.

For more job search tips, visit our Resource Center.