Hiring for cultural fit – Why should you?

One of the biggest mistake recruiters and HR professionals make is failing to consider the weight that company culture has on the value of a candidate. It’s not hard to find someone who possesses the required education and several years of industry experience – the real task comes in finding someone who is all of that and more. Sometimes, finding a cultural fit is more important than finding someone with a wealth of experience. It’s amazing what an impact that can have.

The Benefits of Finding the Perfect Cultural Fit

Hiring for culture comes with some distinct benefits – benefits you may not get when you hire based on other priorities. In the long run, hiring for company culture purposes might be more efficient. Culture is a huge factor for a number of reasons, but a few stand out above all of the rest.

Employees who mesh well with culture are more willing to learn and grow in their environments. Those who don’t may not be patient enough to wait it out and learn to navigate your office.

Cultural Fits Need Less Oversight

If an employee is a cultural fit, it isn’t hard to keep that person on the right track. They understand what they’re working towards and the goals of the company. They embrace their environment, and they’ll get along better with their coworkers. Think of it like a chorus where everyone is in perfect harmony. It’s easier to empower these employees when they feel like they’re a part of your mission.

Cultural Fits Stay Longer

What happens when you hire an employee who doesn’t relate to your company culture? Not much. That employee won’t fit in, and is more likely to gravitate to a different place. Employees who mesh well with culture are more willing to learn and grow in their environments. Those who don’t may not be patient enough to wait it out and learn to navigate your office.

Incorporating Your Company Culture into Your Job Description

Start early. If you don’t know whether or not someone is potentially a cultural fit before you get them in the door, you’ve wasted time and resources drawing in the wrong candidates. Your job description should touch on your company culture, and emphasise its importance.

Use Company Culture to Make Your Description Stronger

A great way to frame your culture is by contrast. Read a few Gumtree posts about similar jobs. What do your competitors say? Are the messages generic? Infusing your job description with key points about your company culture and work environment will help you stand out from your competitors, encouraging potential cultural fits to prefer your opening over similar openings.

Provide Rich Examples

Words are great, but pictures and videos speak a little louder. What’s important to your company? How do people work together? Do you have an unconventional office that offers a unique opportunity? Showcase everything you have to showcase. You want a candidate to feel inspired to apply, rather than obligated. The people who ultimately respond will be people who will be happy to work with you. They’ll envision themselves in those photos and videos interacting with other members of your team. You’re helping them capture the passion before they’ve ever met a member of your company, and you can’t beat the enthusiasm that comes along with that.

Sometimes, you won’t be able to tell who is really a cultural fit until they’ve spent a few weeks in the office. As long as you have a decent grasp of what you’re looking for and how to get it, you’re far more likely to wind up picking the perfect candidate the first time.