Identifying Workplace Culture for Job Seekers

When searching for a new job, do you feel confident that you can fit into any workplace? Or do you spend time exploring a company’s social media, websites, and reports to understand its culture?

For many people, especially those from diverse groups such as age, gender, cultural background, and ability, culture is more than just a ‘nice to have.’ It’s essential to determine whether you can comfortably bring your whole self to work.

So, how do you find a company that genuinely cares about diversity and inclusion?

Job seekers often invest a lot of time researching organisational values. It’s no longer just about seeing a job ad and deciding to apply. Organisations must consistently demonstrate their commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Young job seekers are driven and motivated by factors that differ from previous generations. They seek organisations that are clearly committed to diversity and inclusion, environmental sustainability, flexibility, and wellbeing. If a company lacks these, they’ll simply choose to work elsewhere.

Identifying Genuine Care vs. Tokenised Gestures :

1. Genuine companies consistently highlight their diversity and inclusion efforts. Check their social media, website, and reports for ongoing initiatives and real-life examples.
2. Authentic organisations share stories and testimonials from employees of diverse backgrounds. Look for personal experiences that reflect the company’s culture and values.
3. Companies that genuinely care often have partnerships with community organisations and are involved in initiatives that support marginalised groups. Look for evidence of this involvement.
4. A diverse leadership team often indicates a genuine commitment to diversity. Check if the company’s leaders reflect a range of backgrounds and experiences.
5. Authentic organisations back up their words with action. Look for concrete policies and programs that support diversity and inclusion, such as mentorship programs, diversity training, and employee resource groups.

Advice for Job Seekers:

1. Connect with an organisation’s employees. Reach out to people who work at the company and ask about the team culture.
2. Pay attention to repeated, genuine examples of commitments to diversity and inclusion across the company’s various channels.
3. During the job interview, ask questions to ensure the company will be welcoming and accommodating.

Finding a workplace where you can thrive is about more than just the job itself; it’s about finding a culture that values and supports your unique identity and contributions.