It’s important for companies to hire employees that fit in with the work environment. Candidates who are able to adapt to a workplace style and culture will make the best employees. So, the interviewer will want to make sure that what you’re looking for will mesh with the workplace’s structure and organization.
What the Interviewer Wants to Know
Are you more comfortable in a traditional, more formal work environment or in a more casual office structure? Do you like a team-based approach, or do you prefer doing your own thing? Do you prefer working remotely or would you rather be in the office? An interviewer will want to know in which environment you are most comfortable. You can only be at your maximum productivity if you are relaxed and feel that you fit in.
How to Answer the Question
When you are asked about work environments, your best bet is to try to stay relatively neutral since, at this stage in the interview process, you don’t know what it would be like to work for the company. It’s a good idea to maintain that you are flexible and can adapt to any environment. You wouldn’t want to say anything to damage your chances of getting to the next stage in the hiring process. For instance, if you are an accountant, you could say that you are flexible in terms of your work environment, but that you perform best when you have a relatively quiet space so you can drill into the numbers without distraction.
Examples of the Best Answers
These examples of possible answers to this interview question may be helpful, but be sure to tailor your responses to the job and the company. Why It Works: Interviewers appreciate hearing that an applicant is flexible regarding the work environment. In this case, not only do you emphasize your flexibility, but you indicate that you can work in a fast-paced environment and that you don’t mind structure. If a fast-paced, structured environment is the norm at this company, this answer would be appropriate, and your flexibility would be a bonus. Why It Works: You show, in this answer, that you can handle any work environment, which an interviewer will like to hear. You also show your appreciation for fellow employees who enjoy their work. Why It Works: Your answer indicates that you are comfortable and enjoy working in teams and would be especially appropriate if you were talking to an interviewer for a company that used a team approach in the work environment. Why It Works: If you haven’t been able to find out about the company culture and work environment through your own research, you can ask the interviewer. Once you know how they view their work environment, you can determine if you’ll be a good fit and can offer examples of how your work style matches well with their culture.
Tips for Giving the Best Response
Research the company’s work environment. The best way to prepare for this question is to make sure you do your research. Company websites contain plenty of information about the company environment, stated and implied. Look for the “About Us” section, which will highlight the work ethic of the company as a whole and sometimes provide information on individual employees. Network to learn about the company. If you have a contact at the company, talk to them about the company culture. Reach out to your network to find information regarding the reputation of the company you are applying to. Use LinkedIn to learn about the company. It will be helpful for you to analyze what the work environment will be because it will affect how happy and productive you will be if you get the job. Relate your answer to the company culture. If it’s possible, relate your answer about the work environment you prefer to the company’s culture. Making a match is a good way to show the interviewer that you’re a fit for the role. Be honest. No matter what the work environment at the company, be honest in your answer. If the company uses a team approach, for example, and you prefer to work alone, you would not be happy working in that particular work environment.
What Not to Say
Don’t criticize. If you’ve worked in the industry and, perhaps, in a similar company that has a different work environment, don’t criticize this company’s work environment to the interviewer. Don’t hint that you might know a better way. Don’t be unsure. If there is a work environment that you know you can’t handle, don’t say something like, “Maybe I could work in that environment.” The interviewer will realize that you are unsure and will sense that you might be desperate for the job. Don’t overstate your case. Don’t talk too much about the topic. Be brief and as neutral as possible while being honest.
Possible Follow-Up Questions
Would you still be interested in this job if you knew that, at some point in the future, the work environment would change from an individual environment to a team-based approach? Best Answers How would you handle a hostile work environment? Best Answers How would you handle it if there was a problem with a member of your team not doing their fair share of work? Best Answers
More Interview Questions and Answers
Review the top interview questions that employers ask, tips for responding, and examples of the best answers. Be Flexible: Realize that you should be flexible and understanding regarding work environments because companies are ever-changing. Match Your Response to the Job: Relate your answer to the job description and the company’s culture.
