Tomorrow would have been my mum and dad’s 62nd wedding anniversary. Sadly, Dad passed away two years ago, but their relationship has taught me a lot about commitment, compromise, and the effort it takes to keep something strong over decades.
And it made me think… we also have “marriages” in our careers. With our employers. With our co-workers. With the teams we lead and the clients we serve.
Like in a real marriage, there are days of joy, and there are days when you grit your teeth and remember why you signed up in the first place. There are in-law moments (yes, some co-workers will test your patience), and there are seasons where you work extra hard to make it work.
Why? Because divorce is costly. In life, it hurts hearts and wallets. In business, losing your job or replacing a valued team member is expensive; financially, emotionally, and culturally.
That’s why cultural fit matters so much. Interviews shouldn’t just be about ticking off skill lists. They’re about figuring out whether you’ll thrive together.
For employers: Questions to ask candidates about cultural fit
- “What kind of work environment brings out your best performance?”
- “Tell me about a time when you adapted to a big change at work — how did you handle it?”
- “How do you prefer to receive feedback, and how often?”
- “Describe the type of leadership style you work best under.”
- “What would make you want to stay with a company for the long term?”
For candidates: Questions to ask employers about cultural fit
- “How would you describe the team culture here?”
- “Can you give me an example of how the company supports professional growth?”
- “How does the team handle conflict or differences of opinion?”
- “What does success look like in this role after 6 - 12 months?”
- “How does leadership recognise and reward great work?”
Strong workplace “marriages” aren’t built on perfection; they’re built on trust, shared goals, and the willingness to work through the hard days. And when both sides commit, you can weather the storms and celebrate the milestones together.
Click to apply below.
