What would happen if you had some choices that you could control in your career? While it's often true that we cannot choose our co-workers, we can make conscious choices to improve our career prospects. When career professionals advise job seekers to check out a "company's corporate culture," this refers to collecting information, such as work culture, before accepting a job offer.

The Wall Street Journal  reported that there are four kinds of workplace cultures.  They include:
1. hierarchical -As the term implies, this workplace culture is highly structured and rigid. A prime example would be the military or academia. If you are prepared to accept this work culture, and conform to it, hierarchical could be advantageous for certain personality types. (If you are unaware of your personality types, check this blog for my post, "Why you need to use your personality and ask for help in your job search," and another article, " Do you represent the 25% or the 75% personality type?")

2.Dependable-This represents a process-oriented culture, where change happens slowly. What comes to mind? Manufacturing, above all. The wages may not be competitive, depending on the company, but certain products are relatively stable. Another example may include healthcare (i.e. geriatric).

3. Enterprising- Creative and competitive in nature. This culture may attract creative arts, such as graphic artists, free lance workers and media. If you can tolerate a "dog eat dog" mentality with minimal discomfort, this may be worth exploring. Intellectual stimulation and motivation levels are fair game here.

4. social-The work culture emphasizes collaboration, trust and relationships.  Charitable organizations or non-profits come to mind, where decision making is especially valued.

If job seekers have the ability and freedom to choose their work cultures, all the better. Supposedly, there are 12 factors that affect career satisfaction, and workplace cultures are no exception. Working in these cultures can affect such factors as stimulation,  career advancement, productivity, and most of all happiness.

If you could make a difference in finding career happiness, wouldn't it be a worthwhile investment to explore workplace cultures?

Melissa Martin
bilingual career/social media strategist
webinarcareercoach.blogspot.com
Twitter: @ravingredhead and @ravingredhead
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