Why Organisational Culture Matters in Your Job Search
Choosing the right company during a job search starts with asking the right questions: What is a typical workday in this company? What type of work environment does it foster? Who are its leaders and managers? But beyond these, the question you should be asking is this: What kind of organisational culture does the company practise?
How this question is answered will give you a hint on processes, task management, work environment, and organisational structure. Organisational culture is the set of beliefs, values, and practices that employees use to guide their actions and decisions.
Of course, good organisational culture promotes healthy, positive traits. For example, how does the team react when someone gets promoted? A positive organisational culture will celebrate the achievement and boost that employee's morale. A toxic one, however, will find the promotion political, with some co-workers talking behind the person's back.
Knowing a company's organisational culture is essential to your growth and success as a jobseeker. Discover a potential employer's company culture with these guidelines.
Knowing the value of organisational culture
Good organisational culture can drive business success. Research shows that companies with positive organisational culture are 1.5 times more likely to experience revenue growth and 2.5 times more likely to experience significant stock growth.
As a jobseeker, you want an opportunity to be part of that growth. When the organisational culture of the company aligns with yours, you are more likely to feel satisfied, comfortable, and valued in your job.
A positive organisational culture heightens engagement, which increases productivity. You want a culture where communication is open among co-workers and management. You want a culture that recognises good output. An employer, after all, should encourage employees to feel enthusiastic about the work they are doing. And the more positive they feel about their job, the more productive they become.
On the contrary, a toxic organisational culture, which exhibits these red flags, can hamper the productivity of the company. According to a Harvard Business Review article, "a large and growing body of research on positive organizational psychology demonstrates that not only is a cut-throat environment harmful to productivity over time, but that a positive environment will lead to dramatic benefits for employers, employees, and the bottom line."
Differentiating organisational culture types
You should, of course, choose a company that has healthy organisational culture. But how do you choose the right fit? Check out this guide to understand the types of organisational cultures:
| Type | Characteristics |
| Familial | encouraging, supportive, appreciative |
| Fierce | competitive, fast-paced, go-getter |
| Inclusive | collaborative, team-oriented, democratic |
| Innovative | creative, daring, risk-taker |
| Traditional | systematic, focused, conservative |
Remember that no one size fits all, and organisational culture may also be a consolidation of two to three types. For example, a company may promote collaboration and democratic decision-making, but it can also stick to the norm and follow established systems and processes. Think of the values you cherish and see how they fit in the different types of organisational cultures.
Make sure you choose a company that promotes a high-performing culture among its high-performing team members. Get started on your research by checking company reviews that show a glimpse of the organisational cultures present among its employees. You might also want to ask people in your network who might have experience with a specific company's culture. Because, really, asking the right questions can lead you to success.
Go ahead and update your JobStreet profile to entice companies with positive organisational cultures. Using #JobsThatMatter can also help when looking at the right companies. Include #WorkNow in your profile to inform employers that you are ready to take on an opportunity. If you need more tips and suggestions, just head to our Career Resources Hub.
At JobStreet, we believe in bringing you #JobsThatMatter. As a Career Partner, we are committed to helping all jobseekers find passion and purpose in every career choice. And as the number 1 Talent Partner in Asia, we connect employers with the right candidates who truly make a positive and lasting impact on the organisation.
Discover Jobs That Matter. Visit JobStreet today.
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About SEEK Limited
SEEK is a diverse group of companies, comprising a strong portfolio of online employment, educational, commercial and volunteer businesses. SEEK has a global presence (including Australia, New Zealand, China, Hong Kong, South-East Asia, Brazil and Mexico), with exposure to over 2.9 billion people and approximately 27 per cent of global GDP. SEEK makes a positive contribution to people's lives on a global scale. SEEK is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange, where it is a top 100 company and has been listed in the Top 20 Most Innovative Companies by Forbes.
