Finding and landing a job that you truly fit in is tough. Not only do you have to find a company that values the same things that you do- but you have to convince them that you share those values. This is a bit daunting, but very doable if you follow these easy steps.
Write down your values: Make a list of the five things you value most in an employer. This should include things that you value as an employee, but also things that you value in the company itself. For instance if you value helping your community, you should look for a company that also values the surrounding community. At the same time if having an opportunity for growth is a core value, make sure that gets on the list too.
Look for those values: Once you have these values written down, start reading companies mission statements, about us pages, and press releases. Find out which companies are talking about the same things that you would, which companies are holding the same values in high esteem. Here you make another list- but this time of companies that share your values with you.
Research, research, research: Once you have your list of potential future employers it is time to run your own extensive background checks. This serves two purposes- first you get to see how true they are to their word, and two, you get to learn more about the company, and how they phrase these values. This type of knowledge will pay off extremely well when it comes to applying to these jobs later. By the end of the research phase you should have a document on each company that you want to work for that lists their core values, how they phrase them, and how well they map on to yours.
Apply!: Now, when you apply for these jobs, you should make some changes to the normal “send resume, hope for the best” routine. Ideally each resume you send at this point is personalized to the company it is being sent off to- at the very least your cover letter should be. This is your chance to show off the research you’ve done, and tell them exactly what you respect about their company- using the language that they use to talk about themselves. Talk about how you value their values, and (if possible) how you have implemented them at previous jobs.
Follow up: If you follow these steps your odds of getting to the interview stage are high- and once there utilize your research (and our interview tips!), to prove to the hiring manager that you know your stuff. Then send the thank you note- and make sure to put a line in that references something specific that you talked about- ideally something your hiring manager said about the core values of the company. This proves that you were attentive, and also makes the manager feel good about their ability to impart wisdom.
Finding the perfect fit is tough, but if you follow these steps you will not only be able to find a company that you would enjoy working for- but you will be able to land that job. If you use your values as guides, you will be irresistibly valuable.