16 great questions independent contractors can ask about company culture

Company culture isn’t just for permanent employees. In fact, it’s especially important for independent contractors to learn about a client company’s culture before taking on a project.

Even if you provide services on a contract basis, you want to make sure that you are working on projects that benefit your career and are aligned with the reasons you pursued working independently. Knowing the company values and mission, how employees are treated, and what the work environment is like can make the difference between a successful, enjoyable project and a stressful, frustrating one.

Taking the time to understand your client’s company culture is likely to make it easier to work together and could even lead to meaningful connections and long-term relationships for your small business. Here are 18 questions that every independent contractor should ask about company culture before taking on a project:

Questions about full-time employees

1. What is the employee retention rate? A high turnover rate among traditional employees can indicate that there are problems with the company culture, such as poor treatment of employees, lack of employee benefits, low pay, or a toxic employment relationship. You don’t want to waste your time working on a project for a company that doesn’t care about its workforce.

2. How do employees feel about their work? While you can’t necessarily rely on what people say, you can get a sense of how employees feel about things like team dynamics by reading online reviews or talking to people who have worked with the company before. Do they feel they are engaged in meaningful work? If there are red flags, it might be best to move on.

3. What is the work/life balance like? If you’re looking for a long-term relationship with a client, it’s important to make sure that they value their employees’ time outside of work. A company that expects employees to be available 24/7 is likely to be demanding and may take away work-life balance and flexibility from your own daily life.

Questions about the working environment

4. How do employees dress? While this may not seem like an important question, it can be telling about the company culture. A company that has a strict dress code is likely to have other rules and regulations that you’ll need to follow. On the other hand, a company with a relaxed dress code is likely to be more laid-back and may offer more flexible work hours.

5. What is the office environment like? If you’re going to be spending a lot of time at the client’s office, you want to make sure it’s a place that you can feel comfortable working in. Is it clean and well-organized, or is it chaotic and cluttered? Do employees seem to be enjoying their work, or are they stressed out and unhappy?

6. What is the company’s policy on overtime? If you’re looking for a long-term project, you need to know if the company is going to require you to work overtime. While some independent contractors are happy to put in extra hours, others prefer to maintain a set schedule. Make sure you know what the expectations are so that there are no surprises down the road.

Questions about communication

7. What is the company’s communication style? It’s important to know how the entire company communicates, both internally and with clients. Do they use formal language or are emails and meetings more casual? Is there a lot of back-and-forth between different departments, or does information flow smoothly? This will give you a sense of whether the company is organized and efficient, or whether it’s disorganized and chaotic.

8. What is the company’s approach to feedback? Feedback is important in any work relationship, but it can be especially difficult to give and receive feedback when you’re not a permanent employee. You want to make sure that the company is open to feedback and that they are willing to listen to your suggestions.

9. How does the company handle conflict? Conflict is inevitable in any workplace, but how the company handles conflict can be telling. Do they encourage employees to air their grievances, or do they sweep problems under the rug? Do they provide training on how to handle conflict resolution, or do they leave employees to fend for themselves?

Questions about the organization’s culture and values

10. What are the company’s values? These values can be helpful in determining whether or not a company is a good fit for you. For example, if you value teamwork and collaboration, you might want to avoid a company that puts individual achievement above all else. Alternatively, if you’re looking for a challenging work environment, you might want to steer clear of a company whose values include maintaining a work-life balance.

11. Who makes decisions about company culture? This is an important question to ask because it will give you insight into how the company is run. If decisions about company culture are made by a small group of people, it’s likely that the culture is more static and less likely to change. On the other hand, if the company culture is decided by a larger group or by the employees themselves, it’s more likely to be dynamic and responsive to change.

12. Who are the company’s clients? It can be helpful to know who the company’s clients are, as it will give you a better understanding of the work that you’ll be doing. If the company mainly works with small businesses, you can expect a different type of work than if they worked with large corporations. Knowing their clientele will also give you insight into the company’s values and priorities.

13. What is the company’s policy on diversity and inclusion? This is an important question to ask, especially if you’re a member of a minority group. You want to make sure that the company is inclusive and that they value diversity. If they don’t have a policy in place, it could be a sign that they’re not as progressive as you’d like them to be.

Questions about management and leadership

14. How do employees feel about their managers? A good manager can make all the difference in whether or not you enjoy working on a project. If employees seem unhappy with their managers, it could be a sign that the company culture is toxic and that you would be better off working elsewhere.

15. What are some of the latest innovations or changes the company has made? This question will help you get a sense of whether the company is stagnant or whether they’re constantly trying to improve and grow. It can also be helpful in understanding what the company’s priorities are. Are they focused on new products or services, or are they more concerned with cutting costs? This question will also tell you if the company is open to new ideas and willing to take risks. If their priority is stability, on the other hand, you can expect them to be more risk-averse and focused on maintaining the status quo.

16. Who drives innovation in the company? Is it top-down or bottom-up? This question will give you some insight into the company’s decision-making process. If innovation is driven from the top, it may be more difficult to get your ideas heard. On the other hand, if it’s driven from the bottom, you may have more opportunities to make a difference.

Conclusion

Asking these questions will give you a better sense of whether or not the company is a good fit for you and your work style. If you have any red flags, it’s best to move on to another project. But if the company seems like a good match, then you can proceed with confidence knowing that you’re setting yourself up for success.