Straight from the horse’s mouth – “I am looking for a business that has a great culture”!
As experienced accounting and finance, and sales and marketing recruiters, we talk daily with candidates who are in the market for a new role. A common theme we are constantly hit with is “culture”.
Culture not only plays a major role in attracting new talent to a business, but also retaining current talent and keeping a great team together. Company culture is based off the formal and informal systems, behaviours and values that make up an employees or customers experience.
Too often we read about the “great culture” of a business as it’s splashed across the careers section of their website. The website and company “spin” say the culture is great – talk with the team and they will tell you otherwise. There is much more to culture than putting a ping pong table in the lunchroom, next to the handful of cheap bean bags and buying mediocre pizza once a quarter.
So, straight from the horse’s mouth, here is what active candidates are looking for when asked about “culture” in a business.
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Trust
Candidates want to be trusted to do what they were employed to do – without being micromanaged
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Integrity
Candidates want their employers to be honest with them, even if it’s bad news. They look for leaders who are consistent in sticking with their morals, ethical principles and values
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Flexibility
More now than ever, candidates are looking for an employer who gives freedom to work in a way that suits both parties, trusting employees to work from home at times that work for both the business and them. Candidates want an employer who will understand the importance of not missing their child’s swimming carnival at school, first musical, graduation, etc
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Fairness
Candidates are looking to be treated equally, with the same amount of respect being shared across the team
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Transparency
Candidates are looking for a leader who commits to openly sharing expectations, mistakes, setbacks, feedback and follows up on promises
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Motivating
It’s important for candidates to have a clear progression path in place with views for further movement and opportunity within the business
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Nimbleness
Candidates want to be encouraged to think differently and put ideas forward. They look for leaders who listen, accept employees opinions and are not afraid to change course
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Understanding/caring
Candidates love leaders who can understand situations from various perspectives.
Candidates are looking for leaders who show empathy, compassion, demonstrate a willingness to help with personal problems and who show sincere interest in their teams needs
A Tip: Don’t Google “Improving my company Culture” and copy and paste into a Power Point Presentation. Design your own culture around the symbols, systems, and behaviours to suit the people within your organisation, not someone else’s.
If you would like expert help on building your team, reach out to one of our specialist recruiters today.
