Culture matters to your job selection. You may think it’s just a match of skills to a job description, but the truth is that the culture of the community healthcare organization you choose can make all the difference in the world. That’s why your goal should be to find as much as possible about the culture of the organization well before you undergo orientation. Here are three ways to research and ferret out your cultural fit before you take the job.
#1 Start by Knowing What Kind of Culture You Want
Any job search should begin with a process of self-evaluation. Ask yourself what is the kind of culture where you’ve felt like you fit it. Are there certain managers who you’ve enjoyed more than others? What was their management style? Do you prefer a casual environment or one that is rigidly structured? Did you bond with employees by complaining about the organization? Or, did you collaborate well in a team environment over a shared mission?
Company culture starts with the principles and values that guide the company. Once you figure out what kind of mission inspires and motivates you, move on to number two on this list.
#2 Ask the Right Questions
You can start to glean a sense of an organization by asking a lot of questions during the interview process. It’s a good idea to leverage the same question with several different employees to get a fuller picture of what it’s like to work there. What kinds of questions work well? Consider:
- How does the organization invest in your growth?
- What makes you successful here?
- How would you describe the culture?
Also, consider finding out how long each interviewer has been with the clinic. While healthcare has a lot of turnovers, you’re looking for the FQHC that has a better track record of employee retention. You can and should also shore up your first-hand questions with online research into the organization. Sites like Glassdoor often have former employee reviews and even advice into how to interview. Use these tools, along with some savvy questions, to determine what kind of organization you’re stepping into.
#3 Observe the Environment
Keep your eyes open when touring the facility and even during the interview process. You can pick up on a lot of cultural clues by seeing how doctors are interacting with staff, for example. Does the team seem highly stressed and harried? Are they laughing and chatting? Does the facility seem well-organized? You can even glean cultural clues by judging whether the interviewers were well-prepared or even if they arrived on time. You’re looking for clues about interoffice dynamics, how employees are communicating, and even what the caseload is like.
Picking the Right FQHC
If you select an FQHC that doesn’t meet your cultural needs you run the risk of being frustrated and unhappy throughout your tenure there. This can affect your motivation levels and productivity, which in turn can impact your job performance. Sometimes finding the right fit takes a helping hand from a firm like UHC Solutions. We are the nation’s leading FQHC staffing agency and can help you find the right fit. Call on us. We can help.
