6 Green flags of companies you’ll want to be a part of

When you enter an interview, the recruiter is not just screening you, but you are also assessing them. It’s a two-way street!

It may not feel like this is the case during the recruitment process due to the inherent relationship dynamic, but interviews are the perfect time to evaluate whether the company and the role would suit you. Much like the interviewer is assessing you. With so many different places to work, it’s crucial to know what green flags in a company you should be on the lookout for.

Biggest green flags to keep in mind

1. Low turnover rate

When there is a low turnover rate for employees, this is a sign that the company can keep their staff motivated and happily employed for a long period. It also suggests that the company would not have a toxic culture where colleagues and managers may be difficult to work with.

This can give you comfort that the company you are entering is not permeated with a culture of fear. Who’d want to join a company where everyone was anxious about potentially being fired?

2. The recruitment process is enjoyable

Pay attention to how you’re treated during the interview as well as how the interviewers interact with each other. Do they encourage your ideas and thoughts? Do they seem to collaborate well? Do they seek to promote an inclusive environment, making efforts to encourage those who are more softly spoken to share? This speaks loudly about the values, culture and dynamics within a company. In addition, this gives you a glimpse of how you’ll be potentially treated if you enter the company.

3. The company prioritises work-life balance

You can easily spot whether a company prioritises work-life balance during interviews if the interviewer mentions that they offer working from home or a flexible schedule.

4. Great reputation and reviews

Just as you would check the reviews of a restaurant before going there, check the reviews of the company you are applying for. In most instances, employees are truthful when it comes to giving reviews about their experience at a company as they are anonymous. Look for positive reviews about the company culture, management style, work-life balance and, where you can, role responsibilities if they are relevant to you.

5. Clear description and understanding of the role

When the interviewer thoroughly understands what is required from the role, you can be assured that the initial job descriptions are accurate and you know what you’re getting yourself into.

However, some companies may be growing and expanding at a fast pace and thus, the needs of the company and what they require from their employees may also change very quickly. If this is the case, adjustments to the job description are acceptable as long as the hiring manager explicitly communicates these changes. If they don’t, this may be an indication that the company struggles with communicating effectively internally and externally.

6. Impressive company website and social media

A company’s website and social media pages are often their client’s first touch point. Therefore, companies will use their website and social media platforms to showcase their brand and culture. A company that has great culture will usually have a lot to show so be sure to have a look for yourself and see if it’s a team you’d like to be a part of.

If a company is invested even in small details on their website and social media posts, they‘ll probably pay a huge amount of attention towards their employees.

Predicting how your new job will turn out is a difficult task since no one can be one hundred percent sure about what they’re stepping into. Being aware of potential green flags will help you to set your foot in a company that aligns with your values.

Remember, interviews are a two-way street! Be observant throughout interviews and ask insightful questions to determine if the company would be the right one for you.

Questions to ask in interviews to discover if there are any company culture green flags

• How does the company seek to promote a diverse and inclusive workplace?
• Does the company offer any training or professional development programs to their employees?
• What core values does the company hold?
• What are some areas you would like to see the company improve on?

If you’re unsure about how to evaluate which companies would be best suited for you reach out to us and one of our specialist consultants will be more than happy to get in touch with you.