Tips to hire for cultural fit (and long-term success!)

Imagine this: a new hire who not only sparkles with their skills but also truly ‘gets’ what your organisation is all about. They gel with the team, live and breathe your values, and are in for the long haul. It’s the dream, right? 

When you get the right person, the benefits are immediately apparent, from a happy and productive team to better results. Finding them, however, can feel like a hunt for a unicorn, and it is more of an art than a science. But there are some things you can do to improve your chances of success.  

Align hiring with your core values 

When we start the hiring process, we often think about the mix of skills and experiences that will see the person excel. But how often do we consider the personality traits that will thrive in our culture? Giving these a similar weight in your ideal candidate description can help you make balanced hiring decisions. 

Go beyond the resume 

A resume tells you about a person’s past, but interactions and behaviours give you a glimpse of the future. Incorporate questions and scenarios in your interview process that shed light on how a candidate’s values and work style align with your company’s culture. Look for those with not just the capability to excel in their roles but also the personal traits that will enrich the team.

Involve the team 

Who better to spot a perfect cultural fit than those who live and breathe it daily? Involving team members in the interviewing process not only enriches the decision-making but also empowers your current team and ensures your new hire will have supporters from day one.

Value and harness diversity

Hiring for cultural fit doesn’t mean photocopying your existing team. Individuals who bring new perspectives and positively challenge the status quo can enrich the culture if they also align with its core values. 

Assess adaptability and growth mindset

As your organisation evolves, so will its culture. Look for individuals who are not just a fit for today but possess the adaptability and growth mindset to evolve with your organisation. These are the people who will propel your company forward, navigating change and contributing towards the culture. Here are some interview questions that can help you assess adaptability and growth mindset:

• How do you adjust to changes in priorities and deadlines that are out of your control?
• Can you provide an example of a skill or knowledge area you’ve developed recently? Why did you choose to learn it?
• Describe a feedback experience that was difficult to receive. How did you respond, and what did you learn from it?

In summary, by emphasising cultural fit in your hiring, you lay the groundwork for a team that is not only resilient and successful but connected and engaged – critical pieces of the puzzle when it comes to performance.

And it might just help you find that unicorn.

Looking for your next hire? Reach out to the team at National Workforce. From the factory to the boardroom, we’ve got you covered with a service that understands your business, its culture and its people strategy.