Steps to Take When You Realize You Aren’t a Culture Fit
Aside from being able to complete the tasks assigned to you, fitting in is an important part of succeeding in your role. We all like to fit in. Going back to our days as children, knowing that you were well-liked and had friends were both indications that we were on the right track.
As an adult, what do you do when you realize you don’t fit in at your job? Do you panic? Do childhood fears of not being liked resurface? If you are in the position of realizing you are not a culture fit at your job, read on for some helpful steps to take.
Figure Out What’s Wrong
When you first started your new job, you were excited and ready for any challenge. You made it a point to introduce yourself to everyone, you actively conversed with team members and you remained open to trying new things. But for some reason, you don’t feel like you are fitting in. If you’re in this situation, the first thing you need to do is identify the problem. Company culture is a lot more than good perks and a generous benefits package. What a company values and how supervisors provide feedback both contribute to organizational culture in tangible ways. Now that you are a part of the organization, you should have a fuller picture of what the company culture is compared to how it was advertised during your interview process. Take this knowledge and pinpoint which aspects of it don’t jive with you. This will help you better understand why you don’t feel like you fit in.
Take Action
Now that you have a better idea of the issue, it’s time to do something about it. Maybe you realized you don’t know your colleagues very well. See if there are groups of employees who share your interests outside of work and get involved: maybe there’s a hiking club or a women’s empowerment group you could join. Socializing with your coworkers can help you realize there are other people who you can relate to, which should make you feel more comfortable. If you still feel like you aren’t fitting in, it may be time to have a more serious conversation with your boss. Maybe you disagree with fundamental aspects of the way things are done at your company. Take this opportunity to voice your concerns about how you’re feeling. Asking for feedback is a good way to start this conversation, which will demonstrate you want to fit in and are humble enough to fix what you may be doing wrong, but make sure to raise your concerns (respectfully) during this talk.
Decide Whether to Stay or Go
You have both experience and a deeper knowledge of your company’s culture. Now, you have to process this information in order to make the right choice. If your boss gave you suggestions that you think could help you fit in better, try them for a few weeks and see how you feel before deciding. If you don’t start feeling more comfortable, there’s nothing wrong with looking for a new opportunity. This job wasn’t for you, and that’s okay. The right fit is out there!
Find Your Fit with Pinnacle
Pinnacle has spent the past 10 years becoming specialists on the hiring market to help make your search easier. We place top technology candidates in roles that leverage their strengths at premier firms. Our professionals are dedicated to doing what is right when it comes to the hiring process. We focus on sourcing the well-tailored cultural fits for our clients. We find the best opportunities so that you can make a positive impact in your new role. Let our recruiters simplify the process and help you strive towards your career goals. To learn more, please contact us at 412-343-6300 or visit our website today.