People talk a lot about the importance of “fit” and “culture” in the workplace. But how do you measure fit and, more importantly, how do you find it? I suppose one could try the Goldilocks approach and sample companies until finding one that’s juuust right. That could work except for one thing: Quitting too many jobs eventually makes it difficult to get hired at all.
Goldilocks 2.0 involves trying multiple companies as a contractor or temporary worker, then making a bid to be hired at the place you like. This would feel more legitimate to your eventual employer but it could also take awhile.
I don’t have a solution to this thorny problem, but I do have a process. See what you think about these three steps and how they might help the next time you seek work.
Step 1
Define “fit.” Don’t worry about finding a universal definition. This step is about self-discovery: What matters is what fit means for you. Start by listing what you consider important in the workplace, concentrating on the less-measurable elements (ignore compensation and job duties for now). Here’s a short list to get you started:
Structure. Do you prefer clearly-defined responsibilities? Chains of command and information? Consistent work hours? Or do you prosper with self-rule and maximum flexibility?
Co-workers. Are you better working in teams, or in places where individual achievement is the goal? Do you want co-workers who get together after work or would you prefer a less social environment? How about the demeanor and skills of your co-workers? Is it important that they be smart people you can learn from, for example, or do you prize a light-hearted crew?
Atmosphere. So often companies with a "fun" atmosphere seem to be defined by things like pinball machines and free pizza. Rather than accepting this cultural definition, you need to confirm what you're seeking. Perhaps the atmosphere you desire isn't fun so much as collegial, or innovative, or customer-focused.
Values. On the one hand, everyone would say they want an ethical employer, or one that treats others well. Assume that's the baseline and dig deeper: Do you want to work with a company that exists to serve a certain population or solve a specific problem? Or does "values" mean the way the company conducts business, regardless of the product or service?
Finally, if you still have trouble defining what fit means to you, go to the experts: Your friends and past bosses. In the first case, just ask those close to you what would be the perfect workplace for you. If you’ve done even the average amount of complaining over the years, your friends will likely remember the situations where you seemed happiest.
Asking your past bosses is a matter of reviewing performance evaluations, if you still have them. Or, you could ask them directly, if you’re not reticent about making the contact. In either case, your objective is to glean ideas about when you seemed to be most closely aligned with your work and workplace.
Step 2
Match your criteria to actual companies. Now that you have a personal definition of “fit,” it’s time to find the match. If you are currently interviewing for a position, you can check the fit a number of ways: By asking direct questions, by speaking with current or former employees, or by checking peer reviews on a web site such as GlassDoor.com. Even something as simple as touring your potential work space can provide important clues.
It’s trickier to find new, unknown employers by starting with fit as the criteria. If you’re not in a hurry, try random harvest: Commit to reading a dozen or more business articles every week until you’ve built a short list of organizations that sound appealing. Or, speed things up by sharing your criteria with your network and asking for the names of companies that exhibit the elements you desire.
Step 3
Be ready to compromise. Having found a culture that you want to join, your next challenge is to decide what it’s worth to you. Are you willing to sacrifice some pay, or start at a lower level, or drive farther to work? If yes, then you’re ready to approach the company to discuss possible employment. If no, you might have to network harder and wait longer to get just the right spot in the company.
As a final word on the subject of fit, remember that this is a moving target. Your needs and tastes constantly evolve, as does the company culture. If cultural fit is important to you, you’ll need to re-assess your situation every few years and make adjustments to ensure things are still in alignment.
