As you look to pivot into the behavioral health field, assessing the culture of the company you want to join will be essential to your eventual success and wellbeing at work. Every company has a culture, whether or not they have been intentional with its creation. As you recruit within the field of behavioral health, you will need to decide what company culture is the right fit for you. 

This blog post will provide you with practical tips to evaluate the workplace culture at your future employer. 

What is company culture?

So, what is company culture? Simply put, company culture refers to the behaviors and practices that dictate the experience of working within an organization. Company culture influences how decisions are made, how a company approaches challenges, and how the employees interact with one another. The culture of a company will permeate their day-to-day operations, therefore affecting your day-to-day life. 

How do I evaluate company culture?

First, you must decide what really matters to you. This self-reflection should ideally happen before you start recruiting, but it is never too late to define what really matters to you. During this self-reflection, write down the values you want to see in your next company and example traits you can look for. Some examples of these traits could be a collaborative environment, a company that gives you a lot of responsibility, or a solid long-term vision for the company. Remember, no company is going to have it all. You cannot get hung up on searching for a unicorn (unless it is the > $1B in revenue kind). Thoughtfully decide what is most important to you. 

Second, pay attention to the details during your interview(s). Interviews are a fantastic way to learn about the culture of the company. Along with the formal dialogue happening during the interview, observe how the interviewer interacts with you. Are they an active listener? Do they respect your time as a candidate? Are they curious about your background? Additionally, most interviewers will leave time at the end to ask questions. Instead of asking: “How would you describe the company culture?” ask something specific. Karshima Sharma Desai, Recruiting Manager at Grow Therapy, suggested: “The best questions are based on research. It is a good sign when candidates are curious and ask astute questions after perusing Grow’s website and social channels or reading our press releases.” Compile a list of company specific questions that probe at the qualities that matter the most to you. 

Third, talk to other employees not in your interview panel. Depending on the structure of your interview panel, it may be helpful to talk to someone outside of the team you will be joining. By speaking to someone outside of the immediate interview panel, you can discuss how different teams approach their day-to-day work, or how different teams work together. Please be sure to be respectful of everyone’s time, and understand that some folks may not have the time to speak with you. 

On the other side: How do I promote a positive culture?

Whether you are an individual contributor, middle-level manager, or executive at a behavioral health tech company, we all have a role to play in promoting a positive workplace culture. Here are just a couple of ways that you can promote a culture that everyone will want to be a part of:

1. Align yourself to the company mission: All of the companies in this space generally have a similar goal: reduce the burden felt by poor mental health. By aligning your day-to-day work and longer term goals to your specific company’s vision, those around you will start to understand exactly why they show up each day for work. That shared passion will serve as great motivation.
2. Provide feedback on how your team can work better together: As mentioned previously, sometimes company culture just happens. If you have suggestions on how your team can work better together, don’t be afraid to speak up! Your voice may be the necessary impetus to change little pieces of the culture. 
3. Be candid during the interview process: Attracting the right talent means giving people the information they need to decide whether or not your company is the right fit for them. Be candid during the interview process to ensure that each candidate can make an informed decision. 

Conclusion

Evaluating cultural fit at a potential employer is just as important as ensuring that the job description matches your skills. As you look at behavioral tech companies that have noble goals, make sure to take some time to reflect on what the right fit for you will be!