You’re on the hunt for your next role, sending out applications, fine-tuning your resume, and preparing for interviews. But there’s more to landing the job than having the right skills and experience. Company culture plays a huge part in hiring decisions, and it can be the difference between being the perfect fit or just another candidate.
But how do recruiters really weigh company culture when choosing a new hire? What does “cultural add” even mean from their perspective, and how can you show that you’ll thrive in their environment?
To help you navigate this important aspect of the hiring process, we asked five HR leaders to share how company culture factors into their decisions. Their advice could help you stand out. Read on for their insights.
What role does company culture play in your hiring decisions?
1. It helps them understand how your work style will mesh with their team
“Company culture is a big part of hiring decisions because it shapes how well a candidate will fit within the existing team(s) and the overall organization. It is also an important part for the candidate to consider to ensure there is a strong alignment between their values and work style.” –Isabel Glantz, HR Generalist, Seven Seas Water Group
2. It helps them ensure continuity throughout their organization
"At HOLT Group, we look for candidates that not only have the right skills and experience but also fit our company’s core business values. HOLT Group's values-based operating philosophy is governed by our company's mission, vision, and core business values. These three elements provide each of our associates—from top managers to the newest employee—with guidelines for making daily decisions in their job.
In simple terms, the mission captures what we do as a company. Our vision provides an evergreen, ongoing purpose for completing the mission. Perhaps most important, our core values describe how we treat one another and customers, as we do business. In many ways, the teaching and use and positive reinforcement of values-based decision making and behaviors are what truly differentiates HOLT Group." –Cindy Stein, Vice President HR, Strategic Ventures, HOLT Group
3. It helps them assess whether your values are aligned with their company goals
“Our ability to successfully execute our business strategy and deliver on our mission to help people achieve financial security starts with our culture and values, which are brought to life every day by our employees. The strength of our culture is rooted in our three core values, collaboration, adaptability and passion which guide how we work together to deliver on our mission. We believe these values help us build an organization where talented people from all backgrounds can make meaningful contributions to our success while growing their careers. When looking for new employees to join our team, evaluating whether a candidate models our values is a required part of every interview assessment.” –Tashia Coe, Head of Workforce Solutions, Brighthouse Financial
4. It helps them find engaged employees
“At Ping Identity, we believe that culture is not a spectator sport. It’s expected that every employee engages meaningfully with our culture by embodying our core values daily. Consequently, cultural alignment is a crucial factor in our hiring decisions.” –Valerie Rector VP, Human Resources, Ping Identity Corporation
5. It helps them maintain a sense of belonging
“KinderCare’s company culture is at the forefront of everything we do. Most of our hiring decisions revolve around a candidate’s eagerness to build welcoming environments that cultivate growth and success for everyone. It all starts with creating a sense of belonging and confidence for everyone in our communities.” –Angela Simmons, Senior Talent Acquisition Business Partner, KinderCare Learning Companies
