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Earlier this year I wrote about the importance of a positive workplace culture. How it not only cultivates a good, professional environment, but it inspires people to show up and produce their best. W2 Communications remains a stand-out example of this on many levels, I wrote. This is why I’m happy to commute all the way from practically the Frederick County line to our offices here in Fairfax, Va.
Well, we’re proud to announce that Washingtonian magazine has taken notice of our high tech PR agency too, recently naming it as a “Great Place to Work” in the Washington, D.C. area.
Washingtonian noted our flex hours, how we’re allowed to telecommute one day a week and have “summer hours” on Fridays to get an early start on the weekend.
While these perks are great, it’s the combination of perks and workplace atmosphere that makes W2 Communications such a great place to work. The camaraderie we share as a group allows us to stay creative and truly enjoy the work we do. The firm is also pro-active in terms of professional growth, pairing experienced members with junior staff to foster a spirit of mentorship. It boosts a high profile in the tech community, sponsoring marquee industry events as well as the annual Run! Geek! Run! fundraiser. And we very well may have one of the best office locations in this area – right in the heart of downtown Fairfax, where we can walk to dozens of great eateries and retail shops.
So what’s the takeaway here? It’s that, too often, professionals consider a job position based upon mainly salary and job title. But so many more factors contribute to a successful experience. Make sure you evaluate the workplace culture before accepting an offer, by talking to current and former employees. (Always ask, “What’s the turnover rate?”) Find out if the company has won any awards, such as a “great place” or recognition for professional-growth efforts. Review the website/mission statement to ensure organizational goals align with yours.
The bottom line is the answer to this question: “Do I see myself wanting to get up and go to work for this company every day?” If the answer is no, keep looking.
There’s no getting around the fact that you HAVE to work, so you might as well enjoy it. At W2 Communications, we do!
Chris Leach is an account director at W2 Communications.