Finding the Right Cultural Fit for Your Staff

Posted on: July 30, 2014 at 7:43 AM by New Benefits Blog

small dulce  At New Benefits, we spend a great deal of time and effort pinpointing the right staff for our organization. While a candidate’s skills and experience are important, we’re focused on finding the right cultural fit as well.

What exactly does that mean? To me, it means hiring people who demonstrate the desire to be part of something bigger than themselves. I’ve literally grown up at New Benefits, and I am genuinely passionate about this company. But it doesn’t matter how passionate I am if my staff doesn’t share the same zeal and enthusiasm.

If The Shoe Fits…

By now, you’ve probably heard of the online retail giant Zappos. (If you haven’t shopped for shoes on their website, you’re really missing out!) Zappos is renowned not only for superior customer service, but also for its unwavering commitment to a positive company culture.

Based in Las Vegas, it’s no surprise why Zappos falls near the top of Fortune’s “Best Places to Work” list year after year. CEO Tony Hsieh has built an incredible company culture that thrives on collaboration. Hsieh even asked all of his employees to weigh in on the company’s ten core values, which the organization lives and breathes daily.

Our company has also spent countless hours and poured untold amounts of blood, sweat and tears into building a unique and powerful culture. This is why it’s critical we hire employees who fit into our distinctive philosophy like a glove. We’re constantly on the lookout for folks who will commit to our organization and truly take pride in their contributions.

Skills Don’t Always Pay the Bills

As Executive Vice President, I oversee the day-to-day tactical operations of New Benefits, and I’ve conducted my fair share of employee interviews over the years. When I sit down with a candidate, I often tell them the interview goes both ways. Not only are we interviewing the candidate, but the candidate is also interviewing us. In order to make a match, it has to make sense for both of us.

Ultimately, all candidates are a gamble. We win some, we lose some. But one thing is certain:  We never compromise our expectations. At the end of the day, we strive to align ourselves with staff members who will embrace our culture and want to be a part of our journey.

For me, culture is my greatest focus. That’s because I know employees who understand and fit into our philosophy will not only love their job—they’ll also produce exceptional work. I’m genuinely committed to the employees here. After all, they aren’t just my staff—they’re my friends. Far too often, business leaders forget the most important aspect of hiring: finding people you actually enjoy spending time with. I’m proud to say we’ve accomplished that at New Benefits.

Tune into my next blog to learn why we at New Benefits are addicted to change.

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