When interviewing for a job, it can be easy to get caught up in trying to prove to the hiring manager that you’re the best fit for the role. However, what many professionals don’t realize is that they should be putting as much effort into evaluating whether the company is the right fit for them. Making sure both the company and specific job are the right fit is a crucial, yet often overlooked, step in the job hunting process.

Since it’s almost impossible to be fulfilled in a job that you’re not interested in, or feel as though you can’t be yourself, it’s important to keep these three main points in mind when making a decision to move forward.

How big is the company?

Much like how some students thrive on large university campuses while others prefer small private colleges, different people flourish in different work environments. You want to choose the environment that is the best fit for you, so think back on your past experiences with different sized teams and companies. Is there a specific organizational structure that you feel most comfortable with?

Does the company align with your goals?

You may be with this company for the long-run, so it’s important to make sure that both the business and the position at hand will enable you to work towards your goals. Perhaps this position seems perfect for now, but will it allow you to gain responsibilities and enhance your skill-set? Think about where you want to be in 2-5 years and ensure the company will allow you to grow professionally during that time.

What is the company culture like?

A company culture reflects itself in the shared practices, attitudes, and ideals of their staff, and when considering an opportunity, you want to make sure you can be happy in that organization’s environment. To get a better feel for the company’s culture, consider asking your interviewer some of these questions:

• What is the average age of your employees?
• Do you hold company events? If so, how often?
• What are the dynamics of the team I would be joining?
• What is it like to work for this company?
• How does my position contribute to the company’s values and overall purpose?

Many companies also have pages on their website dedicated to what it’s like to work for them and their mission statement. Make sure you take this information into account when interviewing with the hiring manager because there shouldn’t be any large discrepancies about the way the business is represented online and in person. It’s always ideal to work for an organization that shares your values.

How is the hiring manager interacting with you?

The way the interviewer interacts with you may be indicative of the corporate culture. During the interview, note a few points such as:

• Are they respectful of your time?
• How do they represent the business?
• Are they communicating well with you?

Focusing on these points can help you figure out if you would feel comfortable and fulfilled in this work environment. If you get a bad feeling from the hiring manager or the office, take a step back and evaluate what exactly is making you feel this way, and if it would affect your job performance or happiness.