In all my years of recruiting, I have never met a single candidate who did not care about company culture. Not one.<\/p>\n
But here is what I have noticed: most people do not ask about it properly. Some take it for granted; they assume it will be fine, so they never actually investigate. Others ask the question, get a polished answer, and walk away thinking they know something useful. They do not.<\/p>\n
“What’s the culture like?” will get you a brochure answer every single time. Warm. Collaborative. Fast paced. Supportive. It tells you nothing.<\/p>\n
Below are 20 interview questions to ask employers if you want to properly assess company culture, not the version you hear in a polished interview answer, but the reality of how a business operates day to day.<\/p>\n
The questions below are designed to cut through the polish and reveal how a company actually operates, what it values, how it handles pressure, failure, and conflict, and whether it is genuinely the right environment for you.<\/p>\n
Use them. The answers, and sometimes the discomfort around them, will tell you everything you need to know.<\/p>\n
1. “What does a bad week look like here?”<\/strong> 2. “What’s the thing nobody tells you until your first week?”<\/strong> 3. “When was the last time someone on the team took a full week off and completely switched off?”<\/strong> 4. “Why do people leave?”<\/strong> 5. “How long has the team I’d be joining been together?”<\/strong> 6. “Where have people who’ve left this role gone on to?”<\/strong> 7. “Who tends to thrive here, and who tends to struggle?”<\/strong> 8. “What happens when someone makes a mistake?”<\/strong> 9. “Has the team failed at anything recently? What did you learn?”<\/strong> 10. “How does the team handle conflict?”<\/strong> 11. “How are decisions made here, and who is actually in the room?”<\/strong> 12. “Can you give me an example of when someone junior challenged a senior decision? What happened?”<\/strong> 13. “How much autonomy would I actually have in this role?”<\/strong> 14. “Tell me about a decision you disagreed with recently. What did you do?”<\/strong> 15. “How does feedback typically get given here, formally or informally?”<\/strong> 16. “What does recognition look like here?”<\/strong> 17. “What do you wish you’d known before joining?”<\/strong> 18. “What would make you leave?”<\/strong> 19. “If I asked your best performer what they love most about working here, what would they say?”<\/strong> 20. “What are you most proud of about the culture here, and what is the one thing you would change if you could?”<\/strong> Culture matters to everyone. The difference is whether you actually do the work to understand it before you sign the contract.<\/p>\n These questions will not guarantee a perfect hire on either side. But they will give you something far more valuable than a polished brochure: an honest picture of what you are walking into.<\/p>\n The best interview is a two way conversation. Go in prepared to ask as many questions as you answer.<\/p>\n Need help finding the right role in the right culture? Get in touch, or explore our latest opportunities in B2B events.<\/p>\n Visit Jackson Barnes Recruitment\u2019s website\u00a0www.jbrecruitment.co.uk<\/a>\u00a0to learn more about how we connect top commercial talent with world-class media and events organisations.<\/p>\n About Jackson Barnes Recruitment<\/strong><\/p>\n Jackson Barnes Recruitment delivers international recruitment solutions within the events, media, and publishing sectors. Jackson Barnes recruits Graduate to MD level in the following positions:<\/p>\n \u2022\u00a0Researcher<\/a><\/p>\n \u2022\u00a0Conference producer<\/a><\/p>\n \u2022\u00a0Event Marketing<\/a><\/p>\n \u2022\u00a0Sales \u2013 delegate, sponsorship & Business Development<\/a><\/p>\n \u2022\u00a0Event Manager<\/a><\/p>\n
Why ask this: Most candidates ask about a typical week. This question reveals how the company handles pressure, setbacks, and stress, and whether they are honest about it.<\/p>\n
Why ask this: This often produces a more honest, unguarded answer and reveals what the interview process leaves out.<\/p>\n
Why ask this: This reveals the reality of work life balance more clearly than asking directly, which usually leads to a rehearsed answer.<\/p>\n
\nPEOPLE, RETENTION & DEVELOPMENT<\/h3>\n
Why ask this: This is difficult to spin. The answer, or any hesitation, reveals underlying issues with retention, management, or culture.<\/p>\n
Why ask this: This reveals patterns of stability or turnover and gives insight into management quality and team retention.<\/p>\n
Why ask this: This reveals whether the company develops people effectively and how it is viewed by former employees.<\/p>\n
Why ask this: This reveals what behaviours are actually rewarded and what the environment demands from people.<\/p>\n
\nPSYCHOLOGICAL SAFETY & FAILURE<\/h3>\n
Why ask this: This reveals whether the culture is based on blame or learning, and how safe it is to take responsibility.<\/p>\n
Why ask this: This reveals levels of honesty, self awareness, and whether the team takes a genuine learning approach to failure.<\/p>\n
Why ask this: This reveals whether conflict is addressed constructively or avoided, and how mature the team dynamic is.<\/p>\n
\nDECISION MAKING & AUTONOMY<\/h3>\n
Why ask this: This reveals how power and influence really work inside the organisation, beyond job titles.<\/p>\n
Why ask this: This reveals whether hierarchy is rigid or open, and whether ideas are genuinely valued regardless of seniority.<\/p>\n
Why ask this: This reveals whether the culture is based on trust or control, and how much ownership you will really have.<\/p>\n
Why ask this: This reveals whether differing opinions are respected and whether individuals are empowered to act on them.<\/p>\n
\nMANAGEMENT, FEEDBACK & RECOGNITION<\/h3>\n
Why ask this: This reveals whether feedback and development are structured, consistent, and taken seriously.<\/p>\n
Why ask this: This reveals whether contribution is genuinely valued and what behaviours are rewarded.<\/p>\n
\nHONEST SELF REFLECTION, THE MOST POWERFUL QUESTIONS<\/h3>\n
Why ask this: This invites a personal and often candid answer that reveals what the role or company is really like.<\/p>\n
Why ask this: This reveals what the interviewer genuinely values and what might push them to move on.<\/p>\n
Why ask this: This reveals what the company offers its top performers in practice, rather than in theory.<\/p>\n
Why ask this: This reveals both strengths and weaknesses, and shows how honest and self aware the organisation is.<\/p>\n
\nFinal Thought<\/h3>\n