How to tell you’re compatible with a workplace (before you start!)

Have you been in a job interview and thought that you really vibed with your potential future colleagues and manager, only to actually start working there and realise that you are completely incompatible with the workplace? Perhaps the culture isn’t what you thought it would be or the job itself is very different to what was described.

Whatever the case, it’s not a great situation to be in. We’ve put together some handy hints to help you figure out if you’re compatible with a workplace before you say yes and accept the job (hint, it involves asking lots of questions – of yourself and others).

Utilise the interview to your advantage

Job interviews often feel very one sided. It may seem that you’re the only one under the magnifying glass, but it can go both ways – it’s a great opportunity for you to find out information about the business as well. Come with a list of questions that’ll help you learn more about your future colleagues, the culture of the workplace, what their values are, how they communicate across the business or how they make decisions. Whatever is important to you, make sure you ask it.

Reflect on the interview

Once the interview is over, grab some paper and pen or open up a Word document on your computer. Jot your thoughts down about the interview before they escape you and get a better idea about how you felt about the experience. Some good questions to ask yourself include:

• What was the interviewer’s attitude towards you? What was their body language like?
• How was the flow and give and take of the interview? Were you able to get your thoughts out or were you cut off?
• Did you feel what you had to say was well received?
• Did you feel welcomed and respected?

Do some research

Most companies these days have a profile on Glassdoor, where people can leave reviews about the good, bad and the ugly of that company, plus salaries for different positions in the company. Small businesses most likely won’t have a profile, but larger companies should have one. Obviously take each review with a grain of salt, but if there are many people saying similar things (particularly over a long period of time), then seriously consider what they have to say. Also check out the organisation’s social media, website & blog – they’re a fountain of information.

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Get in touch with current and/or former employees

Do some LinkedIn sleuthing and shoot a message to a few current and/or former employees with a couple of questions. Some might ignore you, but hopefully a couple will respond and give you some solid answers. Ask them about the culture, how management works, how conflict is dealt with, what the people are like and any other burning questions you have.

Catch up with your future team members

If you’re at the final interview stage and you haven’t had the chance to meet many of your future colleagues beyond your manager and the HR manager, ask for them to organise a coffee catch up with the rest of the team so you can get to know them. You’ll get a good feel for the team dynamic and how you’ll fit into it and whether the people you’ll be working with are good eggs.

Listen to your gut

This is probably the most important one. If it doesn’t feel right, then it probably isn’t right. It can be hard when you’re desperate to get out of your current workplace and you just want anything, but it’s not the way to go. If you take the first job that comes along and it’s not right for you, you’re going to be just as miserable as you were before. Trust your gut and the right job will come your way.

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Ready to embark on the job hunt? We can help! Shoot us an email at hello@creativenatives.com.au and we’ll assist you on your journey.