Company culture is a huge topic for today’s businesses. They are advised to hire individuals who fit in with their current team and the core values. However, understanding corporate culture is as important for the candidate as well. You want to make sure you’re accepting a job in a company that fits your goals, values, and personality. So how can you develop an understanding of the company’s corporate culture in the interview process? Here are some things to observe and ask.

Research the company before your interview.

The first and most essential task any candidate has is learning as much about the company as possible. You can discern a lot from researching the company online. Look at the website, including its design. Look at reviews. Look at the LinkedIn profiles of people who work for the company. The more information you have ahead of time, the better prepared you’ll be.

Arrive a few minutes early and observe while you’re waiting.

Did you know that companies observe how a candidate interacts with their receptionist before the make a hiring decision? It makes sense, right? If someone is rude to the receptionist, why would the company want them to work there? You can learn a lot by showing up early too and watching the interactions in the office while you wait. Just don’t be too early.

Ask questions designed to provide more details.

Experts say candidates should always ask questions in an interview, so make sure your questions count. You will likely be asked behavioral interview questions that are designed to determine how you respond in certain situations. Turn the tables. Ask questions such as “tell me about the ways your office has fun on the job.”

Ask to speak with others in the department where you’ll be working.

You will almost never be working alone in an office environment. It shouldn’t come as surprise that you might want to talk to the others with whom you’ll be working. Most companies facilitate this introduction but if they don’t, ask.

Talk about your personal values to see how they might match.

Avoiding challenging topics of religion and politics, you should feel comfortable talking about some of your personal principles. What you want to find out is if the company’s values and mission are in line with your personal values.

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