50 Company Culture Interview Questions
When searching for a new employee, you'll naturally want someone with experience and qualifications that match the open position. But it's also important to find an applicant who will fit in with your corporate culture.
Conversely, if you're the one looking for a new job, you'll want to make sure your prospective new company's culture is right for you.
Here are 50 company culture interview questions that will help employers and potential employees find the right fit.
Questions for Prospective Employees
- Do you prefer to work independently or as part of a team?
- Do you typically check your company email during non-work hours?
- Describe your ideal workday.
- What motivates you to do your best work?
- How many hours per week do you normally work?
- Would you prefer to come to the office each day or work remotely?
- How do you handle high-pressure or stressful times at work?
- Do you enjoy chatting with coworkers during the day or do you prefer to get in, get your work done and get out?
- What is a challenge that you anticipate having if you get this position?
- What three qualities are most important to you in a job?
- Do you like to take initiative or are you more comfortable following specific directions and guidance?
- Do you thrive on a set 9 to 5 schedule, or do you prefer more flexibility?
- What three words would a former colleague or manager use to describe you?
- Tell me a little about your favorite job and why it was so great.
- Tell me about a workplace conflict you were involved in, and how you handled it.
- Do you prefer offices, cubicles or an open floor plan, and why?
- Would you prefer to receive general company information in a meeting or an email?
- Describe your ideal manager/supervisor/boss.
- How important is it for you to receive recognition for your work?
- If you saw a coworker doing something incorrectly, how would you handle it?
- What are you passionate about?
- What would you have changed about your previous company?
- What most appeals to you about this position/company?
- How do you stay organized?
- How do you like to decorate/personalize your work area?
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Questions for Prospective Employers
- What is the work/life balance like here?
- What do employees do for lunch — does everyone eat at their desk or do people often go to the break room or a restaurant together?
- How does your company celebrate success?
- What's the dress code here?
- Describe the ideal candidate for this position, who would fit in well with your corporate culture.
- What's something interesting about working here that I wouldn't be able to see on a tour of the office?
- How long do employees typically stay with the company?
- What causes conflict here, and how does it get resolved?
- Would you say you're proud to work for this company? Why?
- How does your company support employees' growth and professional development?
- Do your employees often go out for dinner and drinks after work?
- How does your company give back to the community?
- What time do most employees start and end their workday?
- Are most employees expected to check their company emails during non-work hours?
- How do you celebrate employee birthdays?
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- What would employees say they love about working here?
- How would you describe your company culture in three words?
- Tell me about a time the company was flexible — with hours, deadlines, etc. — when an employee needed it.
- Do employees typically use all their vacation days every year?
- How much time do the owners/company leaders spend in the office?
- Are people allowed to bring their pets or children to work?
- Is this company growing?
- How do employees and supervisors communicate most (via email, instant message, face to face, etc.)?
- What's the process if an employee has a question or concern that needs to be addressed by a supervisor?
- What is your company's training/onboarding process like?
One helpful way for both employers and prospective employees to give and get an idea of corporate culture is a tour around the office. If you're the interviewer, bring the applicant on a quick lap around the main area where most employees do their work. If you're interviewing for the position, consider asking for a tour at the end if the interviewer doesn't offer.
Company culture is just one part of what makes an employer/employee relationship successful, but it's a key component in productivity and job satisfaction. Asking questions like these will help ensure a great fit for companies and potential hires alike.
Sarah Pryor is a journalist, wife, mom and Auburn football fan living in Charlotte, N.C.
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