Job Hunt: Understanding Office Culture

Whether you're a senior gearing up to begin the infamous job hunt or a current student seeking out the perfect internship to hone your skills, there are so many factors which must be considered. Which city would you like to work in? Are you more interested in social media or media relations? How many hours can you really bear to put in each work week? All of these questions are important, but one that is often overlooked is: what kind of culture do I want in the workplace?

Workplace culture is a huge factor in what will become your overall work experience. More than clocking hours and crunching deadlines, your job will be filled with different people who all come together to create the environment in which it all happens. Your job is more than the whole of what your company produces, but rather the sum of the individual parts which build a company culture.

The best way to learn and understand what an office's culture is like is by researching materials produced by them, and materials produced about them. This helps you gain two perspectives and create an unbiased opinion about what working there may really be like. Start on the company's website, reviewing their mission statement, any press releases or media material they've made available, and bios of employees. Take the next step, and reach out to your own personal network to see if you can get a first hand account of the office culture. Your old boss or classmate may have either worked for or with that company, and may be able to provide helpful insights.

If you're still unsure if the office culture would be a good fit for you, informational interviews give you the chance to grab information right from the source. Ask questions like:

- Do the employees here often work late into the night, or leave at the end of the regular work day?
- Does the company support employees working from home?
- How do members of the organization interact with each other during the workday?
- How do the different roles in the organization come together to support each other?
- What sets this organization apart from others in the industry?
- What keeps you committed to this company?
- What is the dress code in the office?

These questions give you insights into what happens beyond the services that the organization produces. Experiencing different office settings will help you determine which aspects of office culture you like and dislike. Would you rather work in an office where the dress is casual, or where there are strict guidelines regarding dress code? Experiencing both of these settings will help you determine an answer truly right for you and your interests.

Do you consider office culture when applying for jobs or internships? Share your own experiences below in the comments section!

The Job Hunt To-Do

With May just around the corner, one thing is on every graduating senior’s mind besides warm weather - getting a job! Add in trying to finish out the semester strong and do well in classes, the process can prove to be very stressful. However, keeping organized is the key to success. To help organize the process a little more, I created an excel spreadsheet that arranges everything to keep in mind when applying for first jobs.  Doing something as simple as creating an excel spread sheet can make the process go a little bit smoother!

Here’s an example of the spreadsheet I created:

1.     Set criteria of job - What industry are you looking to go in to? What kind of position would you ideally want with a company?

2.     Set criteria of location - Are you willing/ do you want to relocate?

3.     Finish resume - Update resume with your most recent experience and have a trusted family member, friend or the career center review it!

4.     Finish cover letter - Tailor each cover letter to respond to the job responsibilities and qualifications when applying for different positions.

5.     Personal network list - List all former employers, connections, family members and friends that might be able to help you.

6.     Network List of Mom and Dad - Boss or friends?

7.     Networks through clubs - PRowl, TAC, Greek Life, etc.

8.     Join online groups - LinkedIn, Monster.com, etc.

9.     Join in-person groups - Many cities have young professional networking groups that meet monthly!

10.  Make contact with network lists - Reach out to each person and let them know you’re going to be graduating soon. Depending on your relationship, maybe ask to meet for coffee or lunch and send them your updated resume!

11.  Check online job postings - You have to start somewhere!

Applying for first jobs can be a stressful experience. By outlining key components of the job hunt with certain deadlines, you begin to have a better sense of control over something that can seem overwhelming at times. Also, listing contacts and connections of your own and of family and friends helps to lay out all of your possibilities.

What are some tips you have for college graduates and keeping organized in the job hunt? Leave us a comment and tell us!

This guest blog post was written by PRowl Staff Member Tessa Cohn.