Hiring Culture-Fit Employees

Culture-fit hire is when companies hire candidates that fit with the overall workplace culture. An example of this is seeing how well an employee matches the culture of a company, as well as how well the company can match the culture or personality of an individual. Workplace culture usually consists of aspects like values, attitudes, behaviours, and environments, that all impact the workplace. 

What is Company Culture? 

A company’s culture is a combination of factors such as mission statement, goals, management styles, employee engagement and behaviours, and workplace environment. Each company has their own unique workplace culture. When a company is known for having a strong workplace culture, it attracts more top talent to the company, allowing for better results. 

Why Culture Fit Matters

Cultural fit contributes significantly to job satisfaction, as a good culture fit for an employee can lead to increased productivity, higher engagement rates, and a stronger commitment to the job. Here are 3 additional reasons why culture fit matters when hiring:

1. Increased morale: When employees enjoy working with those around them, their morale and productivity will increase.
2. Sets the tone for the workplace: Employees make up the work environment at a company. With the right cultural-fit employees, a company will be more attractive as there are higher satisfaction rates. 
3. Better results: When a team has strong team synergy, it becomes easier for everyone to work together to enhance project results and deliver outstanding work. 

Benefits of Culture Fit 

There are many benefits to hiring culture-fit candidates, such as: 

• Increased employee engagement 
• Employee retention and lower turnover rates 
• Innovation: Cultural fit employees can find it easier to collaborate and work with each other 
• More effective and clear communication 

On the other hand, cultural misfits can lead to: 

• Reduced job satisfaction
• Lower productivity 
• Team disruptions
• Increased attrition rates 
• More resources spent on rehiring and retraining

Misconceptions of Culture Fit Hiring

The word “culture fit” can be thrown around in many different contexts. Here are some common misconceptions about culture fit hiring: 

1 - Culture fit means everyone is the same

This misconception is false because cultural fit does not mean that everyone has to be the same as one another. In reality, culture fit is about aligning the core values and beliefs of different employees. It is not about having the same personality or background. 

‍2 - Culture fit is all about fun 

Culture fit goes beyond getting along with your colleagues. It is about shared goals, work ethics, and how decisions are made. 

‍3 - Culture fit is a replacement for skills

While cultural fit and personality is crucial in job interviews, it is not enough to cover the fact that a candidate may be unqualified for a role. 

• ‍It’s just a buzzword: While some may argue that “culture fit” is just corporate jargon with no substance, neglecting this aspect can affect both employees and businesses, and it is a key aspect of a successful company. 
• ‍Only new hires have to worry about it: Workplace culture is ever-changing and will evolve throughout the years. This means that even long-term employees need to be aligned with the culture, as cultural fit is an ongoing alignment. ‍
• Culture fit can be assessed through tests: While certain culture-fit exams can gauge a candidates potential alignment with a company’s culture, it is difficult to examine through exams as there are many factors that can impact an individuals results. 

How to Hire for Culture Fit

1. Define your company culture: Be clear of what values and goals you companies have, and communicate that to your employees and potential applicants. 
2. Train hiring team to discuss culture with applicants: Throughout the hiring process, be sure to reiterate the culture of the company and some key goals. 
3. Ask culture fit questions: To ensure a candidate is a correct culture fit, ask some personalized culture fit questions that reflect your company!
4. Candidate meeting team members: During the recruitment process, a company can choose to have the applicant meet with potential team members to see if they are able to get along with each other. 
5. DEI factors when hiring: Take into consideration diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) factors as a diverse team can be beneficial in fostering a strong workplace community. 

Cultural hit is paramount for the success of a company. Follow the tips we have listed above to ensure that you are hiring the right people for your company. Don’t forget that company culture is always evolving, so make sure you are reflecting on how older employees are performing as well!