Once you have some baseline insight into the company culture, the next step is to reach out to people who are either currently working there or have worked there recently. Let them know that you’re thinking about applying for a job and ask if they’d be willing to chat with you. If you don’t know anyone directly, look for connections on LinkedIn. Keep the conversation professional and don’t ask questions that are too personal – you’re looking for an overview, not a detailed history.
To find out about day to day work, ask how teams collaborate and communicate. To find out about a company’s work policy, ask how they’ve made working from home successful and if flexible work policies will continue post-COVID. To find out if a company actively supports employee growth, ask about the opportunities for learning and development they provide. To find out if the company builds a sense of community, ask how often teams get together outside of working times.
You also want listen to what’s being emphasized. Is there an emphasis on perks like free meals, ping pong tables, or nap pods? While there’s nothing wrong with free food, an over emphasis on perks rather than experiences can be an indicator that company culture is lacking.Getting to your interview early gives you a change to observe office life.