A Candidate's Cultural Fit will Inform Retention

Company culture refers to the shared values and attitudes that characterize an organization and its employees – are you considering this while recruiting?

A study by Leadership IQ found that

46% of new hires failed within the first 18 months of employment, primarily due to cultural fit and not skills.

Many companies have a clear statement of their culture and it’s the foundation for all things from policies and procedures to leadership development. Culture statements may include reference to things like collaboration, courage, passion, and inclusion. People who have values which align with those of the organization may be a better fit and are likely to be more successful employees. A good interview process should include opportunities to share information about company culture and questions to assess how the candidate may fit.

if interviewing in person, both employers and candidates have physical ways to assess culture – the welcoming way they are greeted, the physical environment, and observing how employees and candidates interact. Virtual interviewing may make this more challenging but asking the right questions will still allow manager to gauge the fit.

The interviewer should be prepared to address all aspects of company culture – respect, responsibility, pride and how it relates to the day-to-day work and overall mission. This will lay the groundwork for what the candidate may expect as an employee and should make them want to be a part of the team.

As an interviewer it’s important to assess how well the candidate will fit the company culture. Here are some examples:

• What type of culture do you prefer?
• How would you describe the culture of your current employer?
• Describe some of the best practices of your former employers.
• Why do you want to work for our company?
• Have you ever worked for a company that was not a good cultural fit?

Prioritizing the assessment of cultural fit, along with skills and experience, during the interview process will ensure that the right people are hired and likely enjoy success with your company.

Contact your local OneDigital Recruiting team to ensure your hires fit with your culture!