Signs Of A Healthy Company Culture In Interviews

I stopped asking “What’s the culture like?” in job interviews. Not because culture doesn't matter. It determines everything about your work life. But that question gets you nowhere. Most hiring managers say the same thing: “Collaborative” “Innovative” “Like family” Vague, unhelpful responses. You need questions that reveal the truth. Specific examples. Actual proof. These 12 questions expose what it's really like to work there: ✅ "What surprised new hires in their first 3 months?" ↳ Watch for long pauses or vague answers. ✅ "Give me an example of someone who grew here?" ↳ They should name names, not speak generally. ✅ "What employee feedback became real changes?" ↳ No examples means your voice won't matter. ✅ "How do you celebrate wins here?" ↳ Only sales celebrations is a red flag. ✅ "How do you encourage different viewpoints?" ↳ Buzzwords without action reveal fake inclusivity. ✅ "What does development look like here?" ↳ Ask for dollar amounts, not just promises. ✅ "How does info flow between leaders and teams?" ↳ One-way communication kills engagement. ✅ "When did values guide a tough decision?" ↳ Can't answer? Values are just wall decorations. ✅ "What's changed since you started here?" ↳ Nothing changing means you'll get bored fast. ✅ "How can I understand how people think here?" ↳ Being unprepared shows they don't think about culture. ✅ "What happens when someone makes a mistake?" ↳ Fear-based responses reveal toxic environments. ✅ "What would your team say about you?" ↳ Discomfort here signals trust issues. The best companies don't have perfect answers. They have leaders who lean forward when you ask. Who get excited sharing specific stories. Who name actual people and real situations. Who admit what they're still figuring out. The worst companies? They recite mission statements. They dodge specifics. They get defensive. Remember: You're not just interviewing for a job. You're interviewing for the next 2,000 hours of your life. Ask the hard questions. You deserve real answers. P.S. What question would you add? Reshare ♻️ to help someone in your network. And give me a follow for more posts like this.

7 Signs A Company Actually Cares About Employee Well-Being: 1. Transparent Interview Processes The first sign is a company that has a transparent and employee-focused interview process. - They set the right expectations. - They communicate well at each step. - They’re clear about goals and open to sharing info. This is the first thing to look for! 2. Fair, Transparent Pay Companies that value employees focus on rewarding them for their work, not trying to get away with paying as little as possible. These companies: - Include salary in the job description - Proactively offer raises and merit increases - Have transparent guidelines around pay bands 3. Focus On Outcomes, Not Hours Great companies trust their employees to get their work done in ways that work for them. They’re focused on what employees produce, if they’re meeting expectations, and if they’re being respectful. If those things are happening, they’re not worried about a mid-day appointment or going to your kid’s soccer game. 4. The Example Is Set At The Top Culture starts at the top of the org chart. Look for companies where the executives: - Take their PTO - Use their parental leave - Don’t send messages after hours If that’s happening, you can bet it’s trickling down to the rest of the organization. 5. Low Turnover This feels obvious, but people are going to stick around at a great company! Take a look at employee LinkedIn profiles and calculate the average tenure at the company. If people have been in their roles for a while, it’s a pretty good sign that this company is doing something right to facilitate that. 6. Meaningful Benefits The benefits a company offers tells you a lot about how they view their employees. Companies that tout things like happy hours, ping pong tables, and gym memberships are typically ones that are trying to seem employee-focused, but actually aren’t. Great companies know which benefits really matter and they make it a priority to offer them. 7. They’re “Real” Great companies typically have a realistic perspective on what’s happening at work. They’re not telling everyone that they’re a “family” or that they “work hard and play hard together.” They’re passionate about the vision, but open about challenges, and realistic about everyone’s role in the company’s day-to-day efforts.

What are the hidden signs of a great company culture? A growing workplace isn’t about fancy perks or office spaces. It’s about trust, growth, and a sense of belonging. Here’s how you can recognize a strong company culture: 1. Psychological safety comes first Employees should feel safe to share ideas, take risks, and voice concerns without fear of judgment. When people feel secure, innovation thrives.   2. Communication is open and honest The best workplaces encourage transparent conversations at all levels. When employees feel informed and heard engagement skyrockets. 3. Turnover is low for a reason People don’t leave jobs where they feel valued, supported, and see long-term growth. A low turnover rate is a sign of a positive, healthy culture. 4. Recognition and growth go hand in hand Employees who are appreciated and given opportunities to advance stay motivated and perform at their best. 5. Work-life balance is a priority, not a perk A culture that respects personal time and well-being leads to happier, more productive employees. 6. Teamwork is at the core When success is shared, collaboration strengthens, and a true sense of belonging is created. 7. Leadership is transparent and accountable Great leaders lead with honesty and integrity, fostering a culture of trust and respect. 8. Employees feel heard and valued When feedback is welcomed and acted upon, employees feel like they truly matter and that makes all the difference. A strong company culture isn’t built overnight; it’s nurtured every single day.

You don’t fix a bad culture with perks. Here’s what sets them apart: 1/ Speaking Up → In toxic cultures, people stay quiet to stay safe. → In healthy cultures, people feel safe to speak honestly. → Safety isn't just physical, it's psychological. 2/ Accountability → Toxic cultures thrive on gossip and blame. → Healthy ones build trust through open dialogue. → Gossip is a symptom. Accountability is the cure. 3/ Workload & Burnout → In toxic cultures, burnout is worn like a badge of honor. → In healthy teams, rest is a part of peak performance. → Burnout is not dedication, it’s damage. 4/ Feedback → In toxic teams, feedback feels like punishment. → In healthy ones, it fuels growth. → Feedback should guide, not bruise. 5/ Promotions → Toxic workplaces reward politics and proximity. → Healthy cultures reward impact, skill, and potential. → The loudest person isn’t always the most valuable. 6/ Communication → Silence is safer than honesty in toxic settings. → In healthy cultures, ideas and questions are welcomed. → If you punish honesty, you train people to hide. A healthy culture doesn’t happen by accident. It’s built every day. By what leaders reward, ignore, or tolerate. Have you experienced a toxic work environment? ♻️ Repost and follow Justin Bateh for more. Like this? Try my free newsletter: link below my name ☝️