How to Answer Company Culture Add Interview Questions

By Rachelle Enns on March 21st, 2022

Forward-thinking organizations are shifting to the idea of hiring for "˜culture add' instead of "˜culture fit.' The term "˜culture fit' can be problematic as the question remains, "whose culture am I fitting into?"

Companies focused on "˜culture fit' often miss the mark on growing a diverse and equitable team. As a result, they end up creating a homogenous company culture. However, companies who care about hiring for "˜culture add' will ask interview questions that assess the candidate's ability to contribute something new vs. simply fitting in.

As a candidate, you must prepare to answer culture-based interview questions in a way that showcases the unforgettable and uncommon approach you will bring to the job. Start by practicing these five culture-add interview questions:

CULTURE ADD INTERVIEW QUESTION 1: How do your colleagues benefit from working with you specifically?

The interviewer wants to know about the unique mindset and skills you'll bring to the workplace and how this mindset will positively impact your new team.

You can answer this question by providing specific examples of how you help others and contribute to team-based and company goals.

Your response should show the interviewer that you enjoy enhancing the success of others and being a positive influence in the workplace.

Note: The 'culture fit' version of this question might sound like this: How will your work ethic complement our team?

CULTURE ADD INTERVIEW QUESTION 2: If you could write your own job description, what would be the primary accountabilities?

The interviewer wants to know if the responsibilities present in this new opportunity excite you and if they represent the best next move in your career.

You can answer this question by clearly outlining which job accountabilities and activities closely match your interests, abilities, and professional strengths.

Your response should show the interviewer precisely which type of job accountabilities you want. This transparency will help the hiring company assess how they can use your talents in a way that adds to the team.

Note: The 'culture fit' version of this question might sound like this: Which responsibilities listed in our job description excite you the most?

CULTURE ADD INTERVIEW QUESTION 3: Who has impacted you the most in your career, and how?

The interviewer wants to know who has influenced you in a motivating way. They also want to learn more about the character traits and existing abilities you will bring to their team.

You can answer this question by describing your most influential mentor, outlining a lesson they have taught you or a roadblock they helped you overcome. Describe this person's approach and explain why it was effective.

Your response should show the interviewer that you are ready to apply these mentor-based lessons to your work while benefitting their organization and your new team.

Note: The 'culture fit' version of this question might sound like this: What type of leadership style resonates with you the most?

CULTURE ADD INTERVIEW QUESTION 4: What professional challenges excite you the most?

The interviewer wants to understand what challenges motivate you to do your best work. They want to know if your approach to resistance will positively influence the team while encouraging them to grow their skills, take on new responsibilities, and welcome ongoing challenges.

You can answer this question by describing challenges that might emerge within your scope of work. Then, discuss how these challenges encourage your professional growth and why they excite you.

Your response should show the hiring company that you are motivated by challenges and bring the necessary skills to take on future missions with a mindset that will positively impact the company and team.

Note: The 'culture fit' version of this question might sound like this: What challenges are you looking for in this position?

CULTURE ADD INTERVIEW QUESTION 5: Which one of our core values resonates with you the most, and how have you emulated this value recently?

The interviewer wants to know what attitudes and beliefs matter to you the most and how you emulate these in a way that will benefit the company culture and add to the success of your team.

You can answer this question by discussing the values that make you feel the most satisfied and motivated in your personal and professional life. Then, provide an example of when you recently displayed these values.

Your response should show the hiring company how your values in action will positively impact their team.

Note: The 'culture fit' version of this question might sound like this: What do you know about our company's core values?

In Conclusion

The focus of every interview answer should be to communicate how you will add value to the hiring company. When your job interview is a wrap, and the company is assessing whether or not to hire you, the decision-makers should feel like they would lose something if they did not hire you.

You are more than a seat filler. So - what will be your most unique and enticing contribution when hired?