Culture fit isn’t about liking the same music or team lunches

Culture fit isn’t about liking the same music or team lunches.

It’s about understanding how people work, communicate, and succeed together.

These 3 questions go deeper, and help you figure out if you’ll actually thrive in that environment:

1. How does this team typically give and receive feedback?
   This shows you how communication works, and whether growth is encouraged or avoided.
   
   
2. Can you share an example of how the team handled a challenge or conflict recently?
   Reveals how people collaborate under pressure, and if trust is really part of the culture.
   
   
3. What does success look like on this team, beyond the job description?
   Helps you understand if excellence is defined by metrics, teamwork, ownership, or something else.

These are the questions that protect you from joining the wrong team, even if the job sounds right.

Next up: Smart questions to ask when you reach the final round.