One of the most oft-quoted phrases in the HR world is that “People Leave Managers, not Companies.” However, Didier Elzinga, the Founder and CEO of Culture Amp, a platform that helps improve company culture, argues otherwise. Based on research by their Chief Scientist, managers only make a difference in a person’s decision to leave a “good” company. If the company culture is bad overall, it would not matter who an employee’s manager was. Thus, a great company culture is crucial for both hiring and employee retention.
For job candidates, the interview often is the best time to get a sense of a company’s culture and whether they would enjoy working at the company. Often, that involves interacting with the HR team.
As an HR professional, here are 3 things you can do to showcase a positive company culture to job candidates:
- Prepare and share success stories:
One effective way to demonstrate a positive company culture is by sharing success stories that highlight the organization’s values and achievements. HR professionals can prepare stories that showcase employee accomplishments, team collaboration, and recognition. These success stories not only provide candidates with a glimpse into the company’s culture but also demonstrate the organization’s commitment to employee development and growth. During an interview, you can ask candidates what aspects of culture they value, and tailor your stories to engage candidates and create a positive impression.
- Encourage interaction with current employees:
To provide candidates with an authentic perspective of the company culture, HR professionals can encourage interaction with current employees. Arrange for candidates to have informal conversations or shadowing experiences with employees from different departments. This allows candidates to ask questions, gain insights, and experience firsthand the company’s work dynamics. Such interactions provide a realistic glimpse into the organization’s culture and foster a sense of connection and belonging.
Having candidates interact with current employees also helps employees get a sense of who they will be working with day to day, and have a say in which candidate would be the best culture fit for the team. In instances where it is not possible to meet with current employees face to face, a blog article with detailed testimonials and videos would also be helpful.
- Incorporate an office tour and visual cues:
During the interview process, HR professionals can provide candidates with an office tour, either physically or virtually. A well-designed workspace that aligns with the company’s values and culture can make a lasting impression on candidates. Point out specific visual cues, such as mission statements, team photos, or artwork that reflect the company’s culture and values.
The physical environment plays a significant role in shaping company culture, and showcasing it in the interview process can help candidates envision themselves as part of the organization. After the tour, LinkedIn has a suggestion to momentum going with a thank you note, feedback survey, and more insight into the company with resources such as blog posts or newsletters. The follow up will keep your company top of mind for the candidate, and reinforce the idea that hiring and finding the right candidate is a two-way street.
A positive company culture is a great way for organizations to attract and retain top talent, and job interviews often represent the biggest window potential employees have into a company’s culture before working there. For a potential employee, seeing great company culture is crucial in their decision to join and stay at a company. As an HR professional, you have great power in effectively communicating and showcasing a positive company culture during the interview process.
This is a 2-part series on understanding company culture. For tips and tricks on how to evaluate company culture as a job seeker, check out our blog Evaluating Company Culture for your Next Role
