Uncovering Company Culture in Job Interviews: Ask the Right Questions

When preparing for a job interview, most candidates want to assess whether they will fit into the company’s culture. However, asking the common question, "What is the company culture like?" often leads to vague or scripted responses that provide little insight into the daily realities of the workplace. Instead, job seekers should aim to ask more specific and strategic questions that can reveal the company's true values, leadership dynamics, and how employees are supported.

In this article, we'll explore the best ways to uncover a company’s culture based on advice from experts across multiple platforms. By focusing on employee experiences, conflict resolution, and opportunities for growth, you'll be better equipped to determine whether a company aligns with your personal values and professional aspirations. Let’s dive into the key questions that will help you make the most informed decision during your next interview.

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Uncovering Company Culture in Job Interviews: Ask the Right Questions

When preparing for a job interview, the question “What is the company culture like?” often comes to mind, as we all want to ensure that we’ll thrive in our new environment. However, simply asking this direct question often results in generic, rehearsed answers that provide little useful insight into what it's really like to work for the company. Fortunately, there are better alternatives to understanding company culture—questions that help you dive into the company’s values, leadership style, and day-to-day operations. This newsletter will explore the most effective ways to decode company culture during an interview based on insights from experts at The Muse, BetterUp, Built In, and Ivy Exec.

Why Not Ask About Company Culture Directly?

At first glance, asking about company culture seems like a smart approach. However, as Paige Arnof-Fenn, founder and CEO of Mavens & Moguls, notes, asking a direct question often results in vague or promotional answers that don’t reveal much. You may hear broad statements like “We have a collaborative culture” or “We value work-life balance,” but these don’t give any real insight into whether the company is a good fit for you personally?Ivy Exec. The issue is that most companies have learned to speak the language of culture, emphasizing trendy terms like “inclusion” and “innovation” without addressing the daily experiences of their employees.

To get the information you really need, it’s essential to ask specific questions that prompt interviewers to reflect on real experiences and situations.

Ask About Employee Pride and Development

A great way to gauge company culture is to ask what makes employees proud to work there. This question taps into whether employees find purpose and fulfillment in their work, which is often an indicator of a healthy and supportive work environment. As The Muse suggests, asking “What makes you proud to work here?” can help uncover whether the company lives up to its values?Muse. If the answer touches on how employees are recognized for their contributions or how they feel like they are making a difference, it indicates a positive and engaged culture.

Another strong question is about professional development opportunities: “How does the organization support your career growth?” Growth opportunities reveal whether the company invests in its people, and a focus on continuous learning can be a strong indicator of a company that prioritizes employee satisfaction?Muse.

Similarly, BetterUp recommends asking, “How do you measure success at work?” This question is valuable because it can reveal the company’s performance standards and how it rewards hard work. It also helps you understand what a successful day looks like at the company and whether you will be able to thrive within that framework?BetterUp.

Understand How the Company Handles Conflict and Feedback

Another critical aspect of company culture is how it handles conflict and feedback. In any workplace, disagreements are inevitable, but the way conflict is managed speaks volumes about the company’s communication style and leadership. According to Built In, asking questions like “How do you help employees learn from mistakes?” or “What causes conflict here, and how is it resolved?” can provide a deeper understanding of whether the company fosters a healthy environment for growth or if it avoids difficult conversations?Built In?Muse.

Healthy companies encourage open discussions, where feedback is constructive and leads to improvement. If employees avoid conflict or if feedback only flows in one direction—from management to employees—it may signal a lack of transparency and openness. On the other hand, companies that embrace constructive criticism and ensure that all voices are heard typically have a more dynamic and collaborative culture.

BetterUp also highlights the importance of asking about feedback: “Tell us about a time you received feedback from a manager or colleague. How did you react, and what lessons did you learn?” Understanding how feedback is given and received within the company can help you assess whether the culture supports personal and professional growth?BetterUp.

Probe for Specific Experiences

To avoid generic responses, focus on questions that prompt stories and personal experiences rather than broad cultural statements. One of the most effective ways to do this is by asking for specific examples, such as “What are you most proud of from this team in the past year?” or “What surprised you most about your experience during your first year here?”?Built In?Ivy Exec.

These questions elicit responses that reflect the real culture of the organization, giving you insight into how the company operates on a day-to-day basis and how it deals with challenges. For example, if the interviewer struggles to answer what they are proud of, or mentions achievements unrelated to employee growth, it could be a sign that the company may not be as focused on fostering a positive culture as they claim.

Another powerful question is “What would you do over if you could?” This question demonstrates whether the company is reflective and open to learning from past mistakes, which is often a sign of humility and a growth mindset in leadership?Built In. It also provides insight into how failures are handled within the organization, which is critical to understanding the level of support you can expect if things don’t go perfectly.

Uncover Collaboration and Inclusivity

In today’s workplace, understanding how a company fosters collaboration and inclusivity is essential. Asking about diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives directly may not always yield specific answers, but there are better ways to approach this topic. For instance, you might ask, “How do different departments collaborate to solve problems or innovate?” or “What role does DEI play in your company’s decision-making?” These questions provide a window into how inclusivity is integrated into the company’s practices?Ivy Exec.

In addition, Built In suggests asking about the company’s approach to remote or hybrid work with questions like “What have you learned from working virtually?” This can reveal how the company values flexibility and inclusivity in different work environments, and how well it adapts to changing work conditions?Built In.

Go Beyond the Job Description

Finally, you can dig deeper into the company’s expectations and values by asking about the traits of people who succeed there. Questions such as “What does it take to be successful in this company?” or “What qualities do you think make someone excel in this role?” provide valuable insight into the company’s performance standards and the traits it values most?Ivy Exec. This can help you assess whether your strengths align with what the company looks for in its top performers.

Similarly, BetterUp suggests asking questions that explore the company’s values from the employee’s perspective, such as “How do your personal values align with the company’s?”?BetterUp. This kind of inquiry can help you determine if the company’s mission and values are truly reflected in its everyday operations.

Conclusion

When you’re trying to assess company culture, the key is to ask open-ended, specific questions that prompt real stories and insights, rather than accepting vague statements about “teamwork” or “balance.” By framing your questions around experiences and values, you’ll gain a clearer picture of whether the company aligns with your goals and whether you’ll thrive there. After all, a good cultural fit isn’t just about liking the atmosphere—it’s about finding a place where you can succeed and grow, both personally and professionally.

By taking the time to ask meaningful questions about pride, conflict, collaboration, and values, you’ll be better equipped to assess if a company’s culture truly aligns with your own expectations and career aspirations.

Continued success,

Kevin Mero, CEO, JobRx

[email protected]

(210) 872-6160

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