When you are considering a job offer in the IT industry, don’t forget to consider your potential employer’s office culture before accepting a position. Company culture plays a big role in ensuring your happiness and longevity in any technology role. Identifying a corporate environment and your fit within that culture needs to be part of your final decision.

Here are a few ideas on how to spot a bad organizational culture before deciding whether to accept a job offer. Good luck in whatever you choose!

Innovation No Longer Respected

Many technology startups reach a point where the progenitors move on and a more corporate environment takes their place. Keep this in mind if you want a job that champions innovation and stays on the cutting edge. This will also help you sharpen your skills. You want a company that not only values the resources you have but will add to your skill set as well.

“When a company loses its internal challenge function, it stops taking risks and innovating. New management will have to squeeze people to maximize ROI going forward as they settle for incremental growth and try to protect what they have,” commented Les McKeown, CEO of Predictable Success.

A High Turnover Rate

When researching the company in question, try to find out about their rate of retention – former employees are a good source. Any evidence of a high turnover rate should raise a red flag. Check websites like Glassdoor or within your professional network for insights about a potential employer’s attrition rate. This website also provides useful information on retention for companies on the Fortune 500 list.

The Interviewer Oversells the Opportunity

If you find it difficult to get a word in during your interview, think twice before accepting any job offer. A desperate interviewer, hoping you’ll immediately accept their offer, tends to be a sign of bad management and a poor company culture.

Remodeling Their Company Culture

When an interviewer mentions their company is currently changing their organizational structure and office culture, tread lightly. Ask open ended questions and seek out the reasons why the restructuring is occurring. Considering them for a future employment opportunity once the dust settles is a wiser strategy.

An Overemphasis on Irrelevant Perks

A well-appointed break room with video game systems and a pool table are nice perks, but they can’t substitute for a nurturing company culture. When a company underemphasizes their values, philosophy and project work in lieu of the office PS4, look elsewhere for gainful employment.

Beware of the Unprepared Interviewer

When the interviewer arrives late and seems extra harried, this may be a sign of a chaotic office culture. Pay close attention to see if they know your background and skill set, or if they are simply reading your résumé on the fly.

The Office Tour

Always ask for a tour and determine if you can ‘see’ yourself in this environment. Observe how the employees interact with one another and the tour guide as it’s not likely to change once you are on board. Ask questions about work hours, schedules and employee resources. On the contrary, watch out whenever an interviewer won’t let you see their office or talk to their current employees. Maybe their poor company culture is too obvious?

When you need additional advice on finding a great job in the IT industry, talk to the recruiters at MindFinders. As one of the top technology staffing firms in the DC area, we can take your career to a higher level. Connect with us as soon as you can!

Written by Tim Booker, President and CEO of MindFinders, with over 20 years of industry experience.