Management Tip of the Day: Know the Culture Before You Accept the Job

Are you having trouble viewing this email? If so, click here to see it in a web browser. HOME   |   TIPS   |   BLOGS   |   THE MAGAZINE   |   BOOKS   |   STORE RSS   |   Mobile OCTOBER 1, 2012 Know the Culture Before You Accept the Job When deciding whether to take a job or not, investigate the culture of the organization. Ask questions of the interviewer or others who know the institution. General ones like — "What's the culture like?" or "Are people treated well?" — seldom work. You're likely to get stock answers. Instead, ask questions that get at how the organization does business. For example, you could ask, "Are there special activities to promote teamwork? Are they voluntary?" Also, look around the office while you're there. The space itself may give you some clues about the culture. Is it orderly or disorderly? Is it a quiet atmosphere or a more jovial one? There are no right answers of course. You're just looking for a culture that will fit what you want. Today's Management Tip was adapted from "To Investigate Culture, Ask the Right Questions" by Bill Barnett. Read the full post and join the discussion » Share Today's Tip: FEATURED PRODUCT Guide to Getting the Right Work Done HBR OnPoint Collection Struggling to get to-much less complete-your most important work? Leaving your job most days exhausted but with little to show for it? Overwhelmed by back-to-back meetings and endless e-mails? Plagued by procrastination? Use this guide to learn how to accomplish more of the right work more efficiently by eliminating endless "urgent" tasks, delegating effectively, preventing procrastination, writing to-do lists that work, and renewing your energy with simple rituals. ADVERTISEMENT Follow the Tip: PREVIOUS TIPS Debunk the Myths Holding Your Company Back Capture Your Audience Right Away Bring Out Quieter Voices on Your Team Get Feedback, Even If You're the Boss Out of Time? Give Some Away Give Employees Freedom, Within Limits Start Your New Client Relationship Right Match Your Presentation to Your Audience Make Decisions Simpler for Your Customers Choose the Right Tools to Communicate With Your Virtual Team All Previous Tips BEST SELLERS HBR's 10 Must Reads: The Essentials HBR's Must Reads Library Set Guide to Persuasive Presentations Guide to Better Business Writing Guide to Getting the Right Work Done Introducing Mobile ManageMentor Powered by the proven content of Harvard ManageMentor™ iTunes >> Android >> UNSUBSCRIBE   |   UPDATE YOUR PROFILE   |   MORE EMAIL NEWSLETTERS   |   PRIVACY POLICY Was this email forwarded to you? If so, sign up to start receiving your own copy. ABOUT THIS MAILING LIST You have received this message because you subscribed to the "Management Tip of the Day" email newsletter from Harvard Business Review. If at any point you wish to remove yourself from this list, change your email address, or sign up for other email newsletters and alerts, please visit the Harvard Business Review Email Newsletter Preference Center. OPT OUT If you do not wish to receive any email messages from Harvard Business Review, click here. ADVERTISE WITH HBR This enewsletter is read by thousands of decision makers every day. Learn more about connecting your brand with this audience. Copyright © 2012 Harvard Business School Publishing, an affiliate of Harvard Business School. All rights reserved. Harvard Business Publishing | 60 Harvard Way | Boston, MA 02163 Customer Service: 800-545-7685 (+1-617-783-7600 outside the U.S. and Canada)