Comfortable as yourself: Finding your tribe at work

With the enhanced community quarantine in effect, most of us who aren't asked to be in the frontlines are left to our thoughts and prioritize our health. What's there to do? Aside from strictly staying indoors, now might be the best time to understand what we really want from our jobs. That's why we have a few, introspective questions for you.

What do you think is the biggest mistake a job seeker does in looking for a job? Is it expecting a high salary or shooting for a high position? Neither! It’s actually not understanding if you’re fit for the company’s culture.

What makes culture fit important? It helps determine the likelihood that you will thrive and adapt to the company. Working in the right environment for you increases the likelihood that you will thrive and grow in your career.

While specific competencies are important for the position you are applying for, recruiters also look deeper than what’s on your CV. They also check how you’d fit in the equation. This includes your personality, character, values, strengths, and even your opportunities.

Still uncertain about your fit for a company? We’ve rounded some tips for you to help you.

Five Questions to Help Determine your Culture Fit

1. Will you go along with you?

If you were your officemate, will you get along with yourself?

Sounds like a trick question, but an important one at that! And that’s not the only question you have to ask yourself. Here are a few more others:

• What type of people would you get along with AND will get along with you?
• Do you blend perfectly with those who go straight home right after work or those who are energized when they go out with friends after office?
• Do you want to work with people you can talk to any time, spur of the moment? Or would you prefer a quiet day at the office so you can focus on your work?

Learning more about yourself helps you realize your working style and who you work best with, whether you’re an introvert or an extrovert.

2. What type of organization do you want to work with?

Aside from knowing what you can bring to the table, ask yourself if what's important for the company is also important for you.

When the situation calls for it, will you happily go out of your way to ensure that everything is well at work? Will they support your career objectives? Do they provide training and growth opportunities? These are some of the things that can guide you in finding the right company.

3. What's important for you?

Many factors are at play when it comes to finding the best work for you. Some of them include:

• Salary (Are you getting enough?)
• Medical benefits (Do you like the HMO coverage?)
• Working hours (What shift do you want to take?)
• Working style (Do you prefer collaborative work, or would you rather be an individual contributor?)
• Company mission and vision (Do you agree with what the company stands for?)

Think of what’s important for you and see if it’s compatible with the company you want to work with. If it’s a yes, chances are you’ll be more comfortable to work there and be part of that company.

4. Where do you want to spend your time?

While some companies already offer flexible working arrangements, there are also offices who still need their employees to report full time. Work is usually around 9 hours a day, with an hour lunch break and two 15-minute breaks. Might as well spend it where you want to be, doing work that matters to you.

5. What kind of work will make you happy?

What’s one thing that you’re excited to do every day? Now imagine doing it every day and getting paid for it. How does it feel? Will you go for it?

Finding your tribe starts with understanding yourself. It gives you a clear vision of where you want to be in terms of your career. While there might be some challenges, being where you want to be can still make work enjoyable. To help you find your best work fit, we’ve partnered with Profiles Asia Pacific so you can take free personality assessment tests. Simply sign in to your Xcruit account to take our free personality test, which you can access from your Xcruit Candidate dashboard.

Now that we're asked to stay indoors, it's time to look inward and understand our career goals. Xcruit is here to help through the free personality tests. Stay safe while planning your career today.

Good luck and may you find that job that sparks joy!