When You Don't Fit the Company Culture

Karen writes: I have encountered this situation in one way or another on three of my last four jobs, and I am wondering if there is a good way to see it coming and to deal with it. The problem: a company culture that involves a lot of drinking and hanging out after work. I’m a drafter. I don’t mind staying late if there’s work to do. But I’m not into drinking; I have responsibilities outside of work, and the noise in a bar often makes it very hard for me to carry on a conversation. (By the way, I have no problem ordering soda when my friends have beer.) This probably hurt me on my last job. I got cut and I’m looking again, and I’m wondering if you have any ideas.

The Career Doctor responds:

You’ve found, the hard way, the importance of researching companies while job-hunting. We usually talk about the importance of researching a company for the job interview, but it’s just as important to conduct research to make sure there is a good fit between you and the employer. If the cultural fit isn’t right, as you have unfortunately discovered, then the job usually ends up not working out for the job-seeker.

What is corporate culture? At its most basic, it’s described as the personality of an organization, or simply as “how things are done around here.” It guides how employees think, act, and feel. Corporate culture is a broad term used to define the unique personality or character of a particular company or organization, and includes such elements as core values and beliefs, corporate ethics, and rules of behavior.

How do you uncover the corporate culture of a potential employer? The truth is that you will never really know the corporate culture until you have worked at the company for a number of months, but you can get close to it through research and observation. Understanding culture is a two-step process, starting with research before the interview and ending with observation at the interview.

Before the interview. While you are researching the company for the interview, spend some time searching for clues about the company’s culture. Review the company’s annual report, Website, and other materials. Some companies even discuss their corporate culture on their Website (often in their career center section).

At the interview. Experts suggest arriving early to the interview — unannounced if possible — and spend the time observing how current employees interact with each other, how they are dressed, and their level of courtesy and professionalism. If there is a meal involved, observe if the employees drink alcoholic beverages with their meals. Ask questions about outside or after-work activities.

Learn lots more tips in my article published on Quintessential Careers: Uncovering a Company’s Corporate Culture is a Critical Task for Job-Seekers.