If you’ve been following my posts for any length of time, you have probably noticed that I have been approaching the subject of workplace culture from just about every side over the past several months. The main reason is because HR and career strategists have been touting it as the #1 issue or trend for 2014. It’s all the buzz.
It certainly is an interesting time to be a professional, especially if you work in the technical arena. Now, more than ever, companies are putting more and more stock into discussions about “culture,” and “cultural fit” is of paramount importance to seemingly everyone. (My HR friends tell me it is ALL anyone cares about.) The problem, of course, is that culture doesn’t mean the same thing to everybody (except maybe in the vague, general sense of “a nice place to work where all are valued”). And it is especially convoluted when it comes to the mixing of generations in the workplace. In today’s world of work, with Baby Boomers working longer and with more and more Millennials entering the marketplace, the concept of culture and work environment is taking on a whole new meaning.
Most candidates, especially technical candidates, are looking for an environment that is relevant to their experience and interests. And that pays them decently…with good benefits…and won’t go bankrupt or lay them off in a year or two. Even with this ongoing “war for talent” in the tech arena, candidates still don’t seem to be prioritizing culture over the basics…a thriving company offering competitive pay and room for advancement…as much as companies are banking on them doing.