Interviewing for a job is a lot like dating. Companies have personalities, too. Called the corporate culture, that personality is reflected in the reputation the company has earned among its employees, its customers and its competitors. The company may be minding its manners during the interview, but a candidate can still find out about the corporate culture through observation and examination. One of the best sources for determining the corporate culture is someone inside the company.
Firsthand information is invaluable.
Ask questions of those who do business with the company. Find out whether the company cares about customer satisfaction. Reading annual reports and internal newsletters is another way to learn what the company values. Even the parking lot can be an indicator. If executives park in reserved spaces, the company may adhere to a strict hierarchy rather than a more egalitarian approach, said Elizabeth Hoyt, a faculty member in the department of business administration and economics at William Jewell College.