10 Ways to Identify Strong Company Culture
Are you looking for a job? No matter what stage of the job search you’re in, company culture should be at the forefront of your mind when committing to a new company. The phrase “company culture” might sound irrelevant, but it is crucial to ensuring you’re at the right company for your career development.
Every organization has a culture that defines their dedication to their employees. The important question is: does your company’s culture support or hinder your personal and professional growth?
Why Company Culture is Important
Put simply, culture is the “personality” of an organization—this includes shared beliefs and values consistently communicated and demonstrated throughout the company. Culture is an important aspect to consider in your job search because it defines the following:
- Relationships and interactions with coworkers;
- How your company does business;
- Values and expectations for employees;
- Team and leadership communication; and
- Fostering a positive and productive work environment.
Culture is the glue that holds an organization together, much like the “DNA” of a business and team. If you align yourself with a strong culture, your job and work environment will be more enjoyable.
Examples of Good Company Culture
When you’re looking to join a new company, it might be difficult to tell what their culture is like. As an outsider looking in, here are 10 key signs of a strong company culture.
Long-Term Employees
A company’s employee turnover rate is always a good indicator of how a company values their employees. Employees who are happy with their job and have growth opportunities are much more likely to spend their career at one place. If there is a lack of long-term employees, this might be a red flag.
Mission & Values
Being the heart of an organization, culture doesn’t just appear out of nowhere—it must be built off the back of a clear mission statement and values. Pay attention to how much these mission and values are communicated to employees through internal and external communications and branding.
Work Relationships
Just like joining any team, committing to a company is a big responsibility. A big sign of a good work culture are relationships formed by coworkers, especially outside of work. If coworkers spend time together outside of work, you can be sure there is a strong partnership and team dynamic.
Workplace & Community Involvement
Companies with great cultures tend to not only support their employees, but the community as well. When interviewing, ask about employee involvement, employee activities, and community outreach involvement.
Transparency
Strong leadership and culture both have this in common: transparency. If a company’s leaders communicate frequently with the rest of the organization, every employee feels valued and informed. You know what they say—communication is key.
Employee Appreciation
Employee appreciation is central to a good organization. If someone goes above and beyond with their work, are they celebrated or thanked in some way? If a company has a weekly or monthly employee recognition program, this shows that they truly value their people and the work they’re doing.
Leadership Accessibility
The leaders of an organization or team must be accessible to their employees. Leaders not just responsible for directing projects—they are also responsible for motivating and helping employees reach their full potential. This requires dedication, authenticity, and accessibility.
Professional Growth & Development
Are there growth opportunities for you? Can you build your skills and career at this company, or will your role become stagnant? Job satisfaction is often closely tied to growth opportunities for employees including advancement, promotions, and skillset expansion.
Safety Standards
If you’re working a manual labor job, safety standards are key. Work safety should always be a priority and is a sign of a company who cares not just about their employees, but also about the families you’re coming home to.
Benefits
Employee benefits are also reflective of culture—a company who provides good benefits is a company who protects the well-being of their employees. When interviewing for a job, always ask about medical, dental, vision, maternity and paternity leave, and 401K.
Build Your Career at Direct Lumber & Door
At Direct Lumber & Door, we pride ourselves on fostering a strong culture centered around local community involvement, family, and continuous improvement. We encourage employees to set personal and professional goals for themselves, and we dedicate the time and resources to help them accomplish those goals to find satisfaction and enjoyment in their career and workplace.
To learn more about working at DLD and our company culture, contact us today. We’re always looking to add to our family!