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“Culture” is a catch all for lack of rapport. Either because of their biases or our own. Which is fine for me, I probably wouldn’t have liked working with them

by joewee 8y ago

“Culture” is a catch all for lack of rapport. Either because of their biases or our own. Which is fine for me, I probably wouldn’t have liked working with them if the most significant finding they come away from the interview is that I want to go home at a reasonable hour or I’m not a sports fan. Lol. Finding a good job fit takes time unfortunately. Having a network helps, because you probably already have shared values. Perhaps focus on rapport at the start of your interviews?

justinhj 8y ago
I agree with your points entirely, but "culture fit" is a very ugly thing when used to exclude people that cannot be legally discriminated against. There's a reason these employment laws exist; people have a right to a job they are qualified to do regardless of whether they share the hobbies or opinions of the interview team.
- joewee 8y ago
  I agree 100%. I mention trying to build rapport, but I really don’t want to work with a team that would exclude someone for “culture” the companies that hire for culture make it very difficult for the few outsiders that mistakenly get hired.
- datavirtue 8y ago
  I always get invited to the good Ole boys club but I truly hate them. They turn out shit work and make for a really crappy environment for the people who are not in. Diverse teams are enriching and productive...buy not as fun or friendly.
duxup 8y ago
>Perhaps focus on rapport at the start of your interviews? I don't think that is the issue. I was looking for an entry level position at the time, it's a CROWED field, and the handful of places where I and another much younger classmate both interviewed where I could compare included at least one, often more phone interviews. If I wasn't getting along well with them I don't expect they would have brought me in. Most of the phone calls and interpersonal in person interviews went great IMO. To be clear I have no idea what their idea of "culture fit" actually was. I've since started asking, nobody has been able to answer without first looking confused and humming and hawing a while. Most of the answers were usually surprisingly generic and such about "openness", "fun" and such, I suspect a few were made up on the spot. Amusing ;)

by joewee 8y ago

justinhj 8y ago

I agree with your points entirely, but "culture fit" is a very ugly thing when used to exclude people that cannot be legally discriminated against. There's a reason these employment laws exist; people have a right to a job they are qualified to do regardless of whether they share the hobbies or opinions of the interview team.

joewee 8y ago
I agree 100%. I mention trying to build rapport, but I really don’t want to work with a team that would exclude someone for “culture” the companies that hire for culture make it very difficult for the few outsiders that mistakenly get hired.
datavirtue 8y ago
I always get invited to the good Ole boys club but I truly hate them. They turn out shit work and make for a really crappy environment for the people who are not in. Diverse teams are enriching and productive...buy not as fun or friendly.

duxup 8y ago

>Perhaps focus on rapport at the start of your interviews? I don't think that is the issue. I was looking for an entry level position at the time, it's a CROWED field, and the handful of places where I and another much younger classmate both interviewed where I could compare included at least one, often more phone interviews. If I wasn't getting along well with them I don't expect they would have brought me in. Most of the phone calls and interpersonal in person interviews went great IMO. To be clear I have no idea what their idea of "culture fit" actually was. I've since started asking, nobody has been able to answer without first looking confused and humming and hawing a while. Most of the answers were usually surprisingly generic and such about "openness", "fun" and such, I suspect a few were made up on the spot. Amusing ;)