Organisational working cultures vary greatly between and even within organisations. The information below looks at the factors to consider when looking at organisations in the broad sectors found within many professions.
This guide considers the organisational culture in some of the key sectors that are open to professionals. Click on one to jump to that section, or read from the top:
Working culture in the private sector
No sector is as broad-ranging in terms of working culture as the private sector. Organisations range from airlines to television companies and from energy giants to small publishing houses.
Choosing one industry over another really comes down to personal interest and passion. Whatever your choice, consider these factors when looking at an organisation as they will go some way to shape a firm’s working environment.
Size
Small organisations are more responsive to change and may foster innovation better. Consequently the atmosphere can be more fast-paced and dynamic. The number and diversity of staff will also impact on the social side of your working life.
Hierarchy
A tall hierarchy may provide clearer reporting lines and career progression. However, innovation may meet more resistance and quick progression more difficult.
Appraisals
Coaching, feedback and formal HR practices can help foster your development.
Teamwork
Organisational cultures have tended to shift towards teamwork in recent years. Enquire about working practices as some companies will be more progressive than others.
Client contact
If you thrive on meeting new people you may prefer a more client facing organisation. Consider your interaction with internal customers as well as those outside the company.
International dimensions
The parent nation of an organisation may influence some of it’s practices and the relationships you develop. In large organisations travel for internal meetings can also be extensive.
Visible signs & rituals
This includes all visible elements like social events, awards and even dress code. Look out for signs of the working culture at the organisations. Where values and events are formalised, an organisation’s culture may be stronger and will impact you more.
Working culture in Practice
If you have spent the last few years working in an accountancy or legal firm, staying in Practice can seem like the less adventurous option. For newly qualified accountants, escaping audit may drive you away from Practice, and for both accountants and lawyers the draw of focusing on one brand and one industry can be enticing.
But before deciding consider the environment in Practice:
- the variety it offers
- client interaction
- teamwork
- an organisational culture where many people are relatively young and in training
Learning & development
Training environments are exciting places to work in. Rarely will you find organisations as open to learning and development as firms offering professional training contracts.
Variety
In most middle tier and all big four accountancy firms the following options would be available to you:
- Corporate finance
- Corporate recovery
- Tax
- Forensic accounting
- Risk management
- Internal audit
- Business advisory services
Similarly in most legal practices options include:
- Corporate and Commercial
- Dispute Resolution
- Employment
- Finance
- Real Estate
- Tax
To find out more about working cultures in each, contact your Badenoch & Clark recruitment consultant for the fuller picture.
If staying in practice, one key decision to make is whether to specialise in a niche field and work across industry in that discipline or work for one of the larger industry based departments like finance or corporate and commercial (the latter will typically be split into sub-sectors).
Specialising
Focusing in a specialist field earlier on in your career can provide an advantage further down the line but it’s important to ensure that the decision is based on a sound desire to specialise. If unsure, then remaining in one of the more generalist departments is probably more suitable at this stage.
Another consideration is that specialist departments tend to be smaller and therefore tighter communities, which can mean that they’re more social and that your responsibility is likely to increase earlier in your career.