Hey there! If you’re 21 and on the hunt for your first “adult” job, congrats! Embarking on a career is exciting. But it can also feel totally overwhelming. Where do you start? What exactly should you be looking for? Will you even like working a 9-5? Valid questions, my friends.

I remember stumbling through my first real job search with no clue what I was doing. I wish someone had sat me down and explained how to actually research companies, what to pay attention to, and how to figure out if I’d be a good culture fit. It would have saved me a lot of headaches (and some super awkward interviews)!

So consider this your cheat sheet. Below I’ll walk through exactly how to learn about company culture and expectations so you can find somewhere you’ll thrive. Get ready to ace those applications!

First Things First: What Matters to You?

I know – you just want a job, any job! But trust me, you don’t want to waste time applying to companies that make you miserable. Before anything else, make a quick list of things that are important to you in a workplace:

• Do you want flexible work hours or remote work options?
• Is it important the company values diversity and inclusion?
• Do you want open vacation policies and other perks like free lunches?
• Do you hope to have mentorship opportunities and room for growth?

Whatever it is, write it down! This will give you an “ideal job checklist” as you start researching.

Ok, Time to Sleuth!

The best part of job hunting today is how much info companies post on their websites and social media. Take advantage of what they put out there! Here’s exactly where to start digging:

1. Company Career Pages
   Skim through the careers section, take note of their open positions, requirements, and any details on culture. Look for perks they promote like remote work, professional development programs, or volunteer days. Red flag if the vibe seems off!
2. Company About Us Pages
   Read thoroughly! This is where they’ll emphasize values, mission statements, community engagement, etc. Are these things you connect with? Also see if they list current employees – you can check them out next…
3. Employee Spotlights
   Most company sites share mini profiles of team members meant to show off their culture. What do people in different roles seem to have in common? Do they seem happy? Quote anything that stands out to you!
4. Social Media
   Beyond their own pages, check the company’s social media presences on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, etc. Get a feel for their vibe based on posts, images, comments. Are people engaging positively? Any red flags?

You’ll start to get a sense of workplace culture based on all these clues. Make some notes so when you actually apply and interview, you can speak directly to why you’re drawn to the company!

Ask Around AboutCompany Reputations

While what companies broadcast is one thing, it never hurts to gather intel from the inside. If possible, chat with friends, friends’ parents, professors, or former colleagues who have experience in your industry of interest.

Simply ask if they happen to know anything about the culture or expectations of places you’re considering applying to. Or if they have any advice! People are usually more than happy to reminisce about past jobs – good and bad.

These conversations can give you rare insight into stuff like:

• How leaders really operate day-to-day
• Typical hours / workloads to expect
• Office politics vibes
• Unofficial company mantras like “work hard, play hard!”

Listen closely for hints on whether an employer aligns with your goals or might be more toxic than they let on. This is key.

Time to Put Your Research into Action!

There you have it – a crash course on investigating company culture before ever sending in an application! Spend time on the above steps researching a bunch of places that seem to fit your checklist.

Eventually, you’ll have great insider knowledge to speak intelligently about your top choices when interviewing. And you’ll ask better questions about expectations, training, advancement, etc while determining if the job is truly a match.

Most importantly, you’ll feel way more confident making a career move knowing what environment and leadership awaits. Trust me, doing your homework takes so much stress out of starting a new gig.

Wishing you the best of luck landing something perfect! Now get out there and sleuth away. You totally got this!