What is Company Culture and Why is it Important?

According to HubSpot, “[c]ompany culture is the values, behaviors, and shared vision that contribute to the environment of an organization…a company culture clearly outlines your workplace’s values, and ultimately drives your entire company under a common vision.”

Company culture includes the mission/shared vision of the company. For instance, a healthcare company’s shared vision may be raising awareness and building resources for people to make better lifestyle choices. This mission should be widely known, be actively worked towards, and supported by all employees.

Company culture also includes the company’s values, which outline how the company operates. For a financial company, their values would revolve around delivering excellent service to their customers as well as ensuring the integrity and trust of their wealth creation.

Behaviors refers to the actual atmosphere of the workplace, which typically involves perks the company may offer employees. If the company heavily encourages teamwork, they would likely have company happy hours or social gatherings. If the company encourages high achievement, this could be seen through games or contests.

Each company has its own unique culture and the culture should appeal to the kind of employees the company has and seeks to hire!

“If you want a great company culture, then be sure that the leaders you have empowered to execute are intentionally driving your culture in the right direction.  High emotional intelligence should be measured and discussed because leaders with low emotional intelligence can kill your culture,” says Sharon Tsao, CMO of Contemporary Staffing Solutions.

Company Culture vs. Salary

A study recently released by Glassdoor showed that many job-seekers consider company culture important while looking for a new position. In this study, the data showed that “77% of respondents said they would consider a company’s culture before applying” and over 50% of American respondents care more about company culture than salary.

The evidence seems to show that candidates are prioritizing their happiness over money. Since we are in a candidate’s market, many job-seekers have the option to shop around for the best position for them, and the best position for them means more than just being able to do the job: it also means they agree with the company’s mission and believe they would benefit in the position due to the workplace environment and its perks.

What does this mean for candidates and companies?

When it comes to looking for a job, the candidate should definitely get a feel for company culture before accepting an offer. This is simply because if you enjoy your workplace, then you are more likely to stay in your position or at the company, and the longer you stay, the more likely you are to get a salary increase and promotion. In our blog 4 Ways to Show You’re Passionate in a Job Interview, we discuss the importance of asking questions during an interview. As mentioned, during an interview is a great time to ask the interviewer about the company—giving you the perfect opportunity to get a grasp on company culture. You can also check out Glassdoor company reviews, where current and past employees explain how they feel about their company and position.

For companies, this means really focusing on what their mission is as well as what they offer their employees. Companies with strong cultures have been shown to increase revenue growth, so it’s in the best interest of the company to make an outstanding culture to attract job-seekers and increase business.

Looking for a company that has the right culture for you?

CSS can help! Reach out to our recruiting team today to be partnered with a staffing specialist who can pair you with the right career move for you!

Read More helpful & inspiring tips here.

Contemporary Staffing connects job seekers to hiring managers nationally in the following professions: Accounting & FinanceCall Center & OfficeHuman ResourcesITSalesforce, and Sales & Marketing.