Today employees want to work for companies that communicate a meaningful purpose, have diverse leadership teams, prioritize ethical and social responsibility, and lead their industries through innovation and change. Last year brought agile, compassionate companies to the forefront. Individuals will have to make tough decisions about where they want to work — and why. With that in mind, here are some steps you can take to figure out what values you care about most, and if your potential employer feels the same way.
Set Clear Goals. Take stock of your personal, professional, and financial goals before checking out the latest job postings. This will not only identify what your motivations are, but can also help you determine if a company’s values align with your own.
- Professional Objectives: Think about the type of work that you’re most passionate about. The positions you want to hold and the environments you want to work in are directly tied to the values that you care most about.
- Personal Objectives: Instead of striving for work-life balance, focus on building one cohesive life that motivates and satisfies you. In order to do this, it’s critical to find a company that supports your personal ambitions.
- Financial Objectives: Think about your desired financial state beyond your base salary. Setting specific monetary goals will enable you to see how a prospective employer may help you achieve them.
Know Your Purpose. Reflect on your work experiences. Be able to explain the reasons you’re looking for a new position. When it comes to evaluating prospective employers, individuals that have a clear “why” or purpose have a significant advantage — and are much better equipped to identify which companies are evolving along with the World of Work.
Ask Hard Questions. If you really want to know whether a company’s values align with your own, ask — job interviews aren’t meant to be one sided. Whether you want to be direct or subtly gain insight about an employer, here are a few questions to keep in your back pocket:
- What are the company’s core values?
- How long have you been working at the company?
- How has the company changed since you joined?
- What keeps you here?
- What do you like most about working here? What do you like least?
- What are some of the traits I will need to be successful in this role?
- What opportunities exist for professional development?
In the grand scheme of things, the feeling of being connected and empowered will get you a lot further than superficial perks ever could, so make sure you take the time to figure out what values you care about most before accepting a new opportunity.