Finding a person who has the right skills is important when hiring, but maybe even more critical is finding someone who will fit in with your company’s culture. Just about anyone can look good on paper, but how they act when you meet face to face will tell more of the story.

Before you begin the hiring process, think about your company’s culture and the personality types you have in the business. Especially if you’re a small firm, you’ll probably find several similarities. Is your office laid back or structured? Do you frown on water cooler chit-chat or encourage employee interaction? If you’re employees come rolling in when the mood strikes them, a punctual and organized person might go crazy in your office.

Even someone with the best skill set may not work out if their personality and working style don’t mesh well with your organization. And making the wrong hire will ultimately result in problems for both sides.

Check out this article from ITBusinessEdge.com about cultural fit and questions you can ask to get a feel for the company. We particularly liked this item from the article:

Do your research. Review materials publicly available online and in the media; use your network to find out as much as possible about the company; and when you visit the office for an interview, observe everything from the layout of the office to the age of the equipment.

If you’re looking for a job, what are some ways you figure out the corporate culture and if you’ll fit in? And, if you’re doing the hiring, how do you gauge whether an employee would thrive in your company?