Cultural fit involves how well a candidate or employee aligns with a company’s mission, vision, and values. This alignment is reflected in how the candidate or employee displays attitudes and behaviors that reflect the company’s norms and expectations.
Benefits of Aligning New Hires with Your Company’s Values and Vision
Aligning new hires with your company’s mission, vision, and values increases the likelihood they will remain long-term. The benefits include:
- More attractive employer brand
- Positive work environment
- Stronger employee engagement
- More collaboration
- Elevated productivity
- Better employee performance
- Higher job satisfaction
- Greater employee morale
- Increased employee attraction and retention rates
- Additional employee referrals
- Reduced hiring, onboarding, and training costs
- Stronger bottom line
The following methods can help align new hires with your company’s values and vision for long-term success.
Ask Culture-Based Interview Questions
Behavioral interview questions help uncover a candidate’s values and attitudes. Example questions include:
- What motivates you? Perhaps the candidate enjoys working independently or helping colleagues. Determine whether their response fits with how your employees complete their work.
- How would your colleagues describe you? Focus on who the candidate is as a person and employee. Consider whether their values and attitudes match the company’s.
- Can you discuss a time when you had to work with someone difficult? Evaluate how the candidate handled the situation, how well they manage conflict, and whether they are a team player.
Follow a Structured Onboarding Process
Use planned timelines and content to help new hires understand company culture, norms, and expectations:
- Share a training timeline, list of expected role competencies, and human resources information on Day 1.
- Provide pieces of training focused on basic skills overview, talks from human resources, and professionalism.
- Discuss office norms, procedures, and company expectations to support cultural alignment.
Partner New Hires with Buddies
New hire buddies can help with training and communicating company norms. Building connections, telling stories, and modeling behavior help new hires feel welcome and assimilate into the culture.
Plan Team Social Events
Out-of-office events help new hires get to know colleagues in a relaxed setting. Facilitating connections in a laid-back environment demonstrates workplace culture and builds team cohesion. These activities help new hires learn from experienced colleagues as they transition into their roles.
Openly Communicate
Open communication helps new hires assimilate with the company’s values and norms. For instance, leaders can share their expectations and experiences that impact the work environment. These activities encourage psychological safety, continuous learning, and growth.
Hire for Cultural Fit
Get help hiring for cultural fit from our team at Element Staffing.
