What do you do if your interview answers clash with company culture?

Decide that it is not the right company for you and let go... When I moved from my first organisation to my current, I had faced a few interviews and decided that I will work for a company where Values and Culture are practised and not just in paper. In places where my answers did not match, I checked with interviewer on what the gap was to be sure that my understanding was right... And then, decide.

This is a red flag. But you can do these: 1. Gauge the Severity of the Clash: 2. Ask Clarifying Questions 3. Re-evaluate Your Fit 4. Be Honest (if appropriate): 5. Consider Alternatives Remember: The interview is a two-way street. It's your chance to assess the company culture as much as it is for them to evaluate you. Don't be afraid to walk away if it's not a good fit.

Don't be transactional about it, short sighted, in the sense that compromising on your values to be considered for a job is almost a guarantee that it will not work long term. You are not making yourself a favor, you are not making the company a favor.

Considera si las respuestas del candidato indican una falta de adaptabilidad o si simplemente reflejan un enfoque diferente que podría ser valioso. La diversidad de pensamiento puede enriquecer la cultura de la empresa si se maneja adecuadamente.

Training any new recruit on actual tasks is the 'easy bit'. What we cannot (usually) do is change their mindset. Therefore, our recruitment is based largely on matching culture with the candidate. An authentic company will make their culture very transparent during the recruitment process. If this culture doesn't work for you, then don't be afraid of stepping away. Alternatively, if there are relatively 'minor' mismatches between your preferred culture and that of the company, then be very honest about your ability to adopt this different culture, your willingness to open up to a new way of thinking and whether this is a valid stepping stone in your career AND growth journey.

Durante la entrevista, aclara las expectativas de la empresa en términos de cultura y valores. Asegúrate de que el candidato comprenda completamente la cultura de la organización y cómo se espera que se comporte en el entorno laboral.

I would partially disagree here. There are some pillar values to each person that should not be compromised. In my opinion, defining the ones for which you need to draw a line in the sand is mandatory to have a successful experience in any company. The same with the ways of working. There is only such an amount of change that you can afford to still be performing. You should be able to be your whole self in the company you work for. If it is not the case and you need to be someone else, then it might not be the right company for you.

If you're feeling like there's a clash while still in the interviewing stage, that's a good sign that this particular position might not be for you. My advice is to try to pinpoint where the misalignment is happening for you and see if you can confirm / deny its existence. For example, if you're hearing that there " might be long hours" when you're striving to achieve a more distinct boundary between your personal and professional lives, ask to speak someone in the position to see what the reality is.

When your interview answers don't align with company culture, take a moment to reflect on this discrepancy. Ask yourself if your values and work style genuinely conflict with the company's ethos or if these differences are areas where you can adapt. If unsure, seek clarification to understand better and correct any misalignment. Communicate your flexibility and openness to new ways of working, highlighting past experiences where you successfully adapted. If the clash feels insurmountable, reassess the fit and consider whether to continue. Remember, finding a workplace where you can thrive authentically is crucial.