Culture-fit goes both ways, and you are a valuable asset. What if you made your next career move based on which organization or department best aligned with you? Your goals. Your values. Your ideal working environment.
We do ourselves a disservice when we engage with an organization as though it holds all the cards. The organization is far better served by contributors and leaders who take responsibility for their own careers.
So how do you take responsibility for finding your own culture fit? Here’s a hint: It’s not another training course. It’s the informational interview (AKA: Non-sales-oriented Networking). Identify people you want to learn from and see if they’d be willing to schedule 30-60 minutes with you. Make it clear you are not seeking a favor but simply want to learn from them.
Ask about how they got to where they are today, their wins, their challenges, and perhaps a day in their life. Informational interviews are fun, surprisingly beneficial, and a little addictive.
Roughly 85% of jobs are found through networking. But it goes way beyond jobs. Stretch assignment opportunities, mentors and allies, invaluable bits of wisdom, and insider knowledge come through relationships (i.e., networking).
Your best career move may not be a move at all. It’s probably a connection.