Bad company culture can ruin even the most exciting job in the sports industry. The most common reason workers gave for leaving their positions in the past year was being unhappy with their manager/supervisor, who are main drivers of employee experience in company culture. So how do you determine if a company will fit you well? That’s what Joanna in Seattle wants to know from the WorkInSports Podcast:

“Hey Brian, I’m 25, and I’ve worked at two different sports organizations so far in my career. Both were a mistake. I’ve spent some time thinking about what went wrong, and I think both times, there were cultural issues. It just wasn’t a good work environment. I’m interviewing at a bunch of places now, and it’s going well, but I’m really concerned about culture – how can I find out if any of these organizations are the right place for me?”

How to Find a Company With a Good Culture

Before determining if a company is a good fit for you, you must look inward. That involves examining your values at work and analyzing potential employers to see if they match with what you find important.

Once you have a concrete set of traits important to you in a work environment, it’s time to research. If you apply for a job, potential employers will find as much as they can about you online. You should do the same for them. Here are a few places? to learn more about a company before you work for them:

• Your Network: Find people who work or have worked for an organization and ask about their experience.

• Google: Dive into a company’s online profile (e.g., its website, news reports, its leadership staff, and employee review sites).

• Social Media: Look for their social media accounts and analyze how they interact with the public.

• Interviews: If you secure an interview, use the opportunity to inquire about their company culture.

Enjoy the full episode for detailed tips on how to find a company with a good culture. For more sports career advice, subscribe to the WorkInSports Podcast. You can find additional content on our YouTube channel!