Hiring for Culture Fit: The Heart of What We Do

“Hiring people is an art, not a science, and resumes can’t tell you whether someone will fit into a company’s culture.”

-Howard Shultz, Starbucks

On average, every corporate job posting attracts approximately 250 resumes, but only 4 to 6 of those 250 people will be called in for an interview, and ultimately only one will be chosen for the position.[i] Ensuring that you select the best candidate out of those 250 is one of the most challenging, yet important tasks that organizations and HR professionals face. Each organization’s culture is unique and finding employees that match this unique culture is a key ingredient for success.

Why Is Hiring for Culture Fit Important?

Corporate culture is the personality and the heart of any organization. It is the fundamental building block that the rest of the company is built upon. Defining the key values of your corporate culture gives your business and your employees a deeper sense of purpose. It goes beyond the actual work you’re doing and gives an understanding of the higher impact you have on the world.

Each employee at your organization is an ambassador for your brand, which means each interaction they have externally is a direct representation of your organization. Ensuring that your employees are an accurate and positive reflection of your business is primarily done through determining culture fit. In fact, 88% of employees believe a strong company culture is key to business success.[ii] Hiring employees that blend seamlessly with your culture can benefit them and the organization. Some of the greatest benefits include:[iii]

• Higher quality work – Employees who feel connected to the culture are more likely to see the big picture of the work that they do. In turn, they produce higher quality work.
• Integration of Company Vision – If each employee at your organization is an extension of your core values and culture, then your vision and goals will naturally be weaved into the work of each team member, each interaction, and each piece of work that is completed.
• United Sense of Purpose – The greatest part of hiring employees that fit your culture is that they are all united by a common purpose and vision. This creates a strong team that is striving for the same set of goals. Regardless of varying backgrounds, different departments or specific roles, each team member is united by one common denominator:

Tips for Hiring for Culture Fit

Many organizations are unsure where to start when it comes to hiring for culture fit. 6Q blog features a few beginner tips if you’re trying to better understand how to hire for culture fit:[iv]

1. Ensure you have a set of values and how they translate to the role.
2. Include a page within your website about your company values.
3. Reference these company values in any advertising for the role.
4. Discuss the values and how your culture is during the initial interview.
5. Ask questions that relate directly to these values.
6. Ensure you have a solid indication process that involves cultural induction.
7. Schedule a meeting within their first month to discuss the role further.

Hiring for culture fit is at the heart of what TTA does. Not only do we hire employees that blend seamlessly within our organization, we also help other organizations find the perfect fit for them through our database of 23,000 independent contractors.

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[i] 42 Shocking Company Culture Statistics You Need to Know
[ii] 4 Important Benefits To Hiring For Culture Fit
[iii] How to Hire Employees for Cultural Fit
[i] Inc