Fits Like a Glove
Fitting in is no accident
Naturally, you don’t just want any old job, you want a good job; a job where you’ll be happy, where you’ll be fairly compensated. You want a job where you can be productive; a job where you can contribute. You also want a job where you’re comfortable, where you’ll fit in and be accepted by your co-workers. You want a job where you’ll “fit.”
Finding the right ‘fit’
To accomplish that, you need to find an employer that has a culture that is compatible with you and your values, where you “match up.” Unfortunately, there is no guidebook for that. In most cases, you’re either culturally a good fit or you’re not.
What’s more, just because someone else is a good fit at a company, that doesn’t mean that you, also, will be a good fit. In terms of values and culture, we’re all different. And we’re different at different levels and have different tolerances and priorities. While you want a company where you’ll fit, it’s just as important to avoid companies where you know you won’t.
Finding a good fit isn’t easy. It’s especially hard trying to determine what a company culture is like before you accept the job. But it can be done.
Doing some basic company research may unearth a high turnover rate – not a good sign. Perhaps the best way to learn about the inner workings of an employer is simply to ask. You might be able to discern some things during the interview process, but that can be deceiving. But asking current and former employees is perhaps the best method.
You might even be able to learn some things by speaking with people who don’t work there, but who have somewhat of a collegial relationship with the people there or how the company operates.
This is one area where there is no silver bullet. What worked for someone else may not work for you – and vice versa. Or, regardless of how much homework you do, you may still find yourself in an untenable situation.
But, it’s incumbent upon us to perform as much due diligence as we can. If you do, there are no guarantees, but at least the odds will be in your favor.
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