BETA
This is a BETA experience. You may opt-out by clicking here

More From Forbes

Edit Story

Smart Ways To Decide If A Company Is The Right Workplace For You

Forbes Coaches Council

Professionals who want to be successful in their line of work know how important it is to be passionate about each role they take on. Sometimes, however, passion may not be enough to ensure your success in a position if your own core values don’t align with the company’s mission and vision.

If you receive a job offer but aren’t sure that the company will be a good fit for you, there are a number of ways to evaluate an organization’s mission, vision and values, and how these values align with their own. Here, members of Forbes Coaches Council share the ways they would guide you through this crucial decision-making process if you were their coaching client. 

1. Clarify Your Core Values

First, clarify your own core values. What are the six qualities you want to be known for professionally? Personally? Once you have defined these qualities, examine how they align with the company’s mission, vision and values. This will provide the necessary information to know whether there is cultural alignment for you to be successful and happy in this new role. Best of luck! - Bree Luther, Inspired Science Coaching

2. Ask For References

One way to determine if the organization is living its mission, vision and values is to interview members of the team. Ask for examples of how these individual contributors and leaders live the cultural components each day. Decipher whether there is a disconnect between what the organization says it values and how they operate daily. - Cheryl Czach, Cheryl Czach Coaching and Consulting, LLC

3. Write Out Your Own Mission, Vision And Values

It is important to start by writing out your own mission, vision and values to see if they’re in alignment with those of the company. Now, alignment is important, but the next question I would ask is if you feel it would be fulfilling work for you to do. If your values are in alignment, and you believe it would be fulfilling, then it is a potentially great fit. - Jon Dwoskin, The Jon Dwoskin Experience


Forbes Coaches Council is an invitation-only community for leading business and career coaches. Do I qualify?


4. Research And Visualize Yourself In The Role

I would help you identify your core values and coach you through figuring out how you want those values to show up in your professional and personal life. Next, I would ask you to research and see what former employees and leaders are saying about the company. Then, I would suggest you immerse yourself in the role by visualizing yourself working there. All three components together will help you make the right decision. - Michelle Perchuk, MTV Coaching

5. Consider What’s Most Important In A Job

Ask yourself, “What’s most important to me in any job?” Be brutally honest in your response and make a list of the top ten elements that are important to you. Understand what the job actually offers by devouring the information on the company’s online platforms and talking to current and past employees. If at least seven of your ten requirements are not met, then it’s probably not the right place for you. - Vinesh Sukumaran, Vinesh Sukumaran Consulting

6. Explore The Roots Of Your Uneasiness

After an intensive interview process, your doubts about a company may signal a potential red flag. I’d explore the roots of your unease with you. If we discover that it’s a great opportunity and a good culture fit but a big professional leap, we might surface fears and work on confidence. If, however, there are signs that the people or culture is dysfunctional, I would support you in moving on. - Lisa Schmidt, Worksphere

7. See If Your Visions Point In The Same Direction

If we liken a prospective new company’s vision to a big arrow, whereby all employees are smaller arrows providing the energy for forward momentum, then you need to determine whether your arrow, which is the sum of your aspirations, personal mission and values, is pointed in the same direction as that big arrow. This alignment is needed, and so long as the goals are in tandem, a fit can be established. - Thomas Lim, Singapore Public Service, SportSG

Check out my website