Blog: Orchestrate the Right Career Move

Talent Acquisition

Orchestrate the Right Career Move

Are you stuck in the vicious cycle of making the wrong move? Here are quick tips to quickly check culture fit in the organization you are interviewing for.
Orchestrate the Right Career Move

It’s been a month since you joined your new organization and a nagging sense of self-doubt is building in your mind, ‘Have I made the wrong move?’ Your mind sieves through the events running up till the joining day and forage for signs which you could have picked up and avoided feeling trapped by your decision. If crystal ball gazing was possible, career missteps would be a distant reality but often there are tell-tale signs which can be consciously looked for to make great career choices.

Your experience during the selection process

A lot about the organization can be deduced by how the selection process is conducted. The welcome given by the organization is a big give away. Look at the people manning the reception, how you are greeted, what courtesies are extended to you, these give ample evidence of what the DNA of the organization is really like. A typical positioning for example by the recruiter may be that “this is a very important role for our company” but during the in-person interview,

A lot about the organization can be deduced by how the selection process is conducted. The welcome given by the organization is a big give away. Look at the people manning the reception, how you are greeted, what courtesies are extended to you, these give ample evidence of what the DNA of the organization is really like. A typical positioning for example by the recruiter may be that “this is a very important role for our company” but during the in-person interview, the candidate is made to wait endlessly by the interviewer. Such dichotomies serve as red flags which if not heeded to can quite easily result in misfit decision. 

How do employees describe the organization informally?

Another important avenue of information is what reputation the organization enjoys in informal social platforms like Glassdoor, Indeed, Jobiness or Vault. How do employees talk about the organization culture when there is no one policing their feedback – That is the real deal. There may be an aspirational culture which the organization may espouse but the actual culture is how employees describe the organization when there is no perceived sense of penalty for being honest. Read as much as you can about what is written and try to verify it during the selection process if possible. Reach out to Alumni, Known contacts in your own networks etc. to gather data points. 

What is the Answer to Why Should You Join Here?

One of the questions often posed to the candidates during interviews is “Why would you like to join us” or “Why Us”? A really good way to know how democratic or open an organization is by posing questions to the interviewer about the organization “How would you describe the culture of the organization? Or Why do you enjoy working here”. Although it may sound a bit bold on the face of it but it is a very relevant question to judge how the organization sees a match between its values and offering and the value that you bring onboard. In the end, this discussion will definitely bring out a more thought through the decision for both parties. 

What are the energy levels like in the workplace?

An important indicator of a good match between a prospective organization and how well you fit in is by doing a quick scan of the work environment. Chances are that you will immediately be able to pick on the general mood and outlook of the organization. Is it abuzz with activity or has an air of despondency. Is it vibrant or somber or formal or officious? Check for a quick match with your own temperament and expectations.

What enquiries are made to know you as an individual?

While hiring, does the organization stress more on your skill sets and how you can add value or pay an equal amount of importance on getting to know you as an individual. Every individual hired is a whole package, who brings to the table his or her skills, attitude, experience and value systems. When the focus is on skills and experience alone, one misses out on taking into account the softer intangibles which actually help deliver results. Of course, a career choice is a personal decision but one would heed well to analyze whether the organization is all about the ‘what’ or ‘what & how’ as well. 

Hopefully, with these pointers in mind there is more to cheer about than fret in the future with regards to your career moves! 

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Topics: Talent Acquisition, Recruitment, Learning & Development, #Career

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