Ping pong tables, foosball tables, beer on tap, unlimited vacation. Question is, does this make a company more attractive than a company without these perks? For some, yes it does. But should these perks be the only thing that you look at? Or even part of an evaluation checklist that excludes companies without these things? Maybe not.

Having worked in talent acquisition for the better part of the past 15 years starting as an agency recruiter, agency owner, and now an internal recruiter for an established Internet company that grew from startup status, I’ve learned that there is a whole lot more to a company than the fluff that many startups use to attract candidates in an all-out war for top talent. 

Why not start by examining a company’s values; they should be clearly defined and they should resonate with you. Ask lots of questions, talk with as many people as you can. No one can better inform you of a company’s culture than its employees. Think about growth potential, flexible work schedules, recognition, trust, giving back, and challenging/rewarding work too. They all contribute to the overall vibe of an organization.  

I love ping pong and a good beer just as much as anyone but next time you’re considering a career move, why not dive deeper to see if you can uncover a company’s true identity. Once you realize that there is more to a great company culture than just superficial fun and games, you’ll be better equipped to navigate your search and find that just right fit.