How Can I Find A Job That Aligns With My Core Values?

The pandemic has made us evaluate many things in our daily lives, including the world of work. While many people have switched to remote working, others have considered whether their job is actually right for them. Does your job align with your core values? It can be difficult to make a career switch to a role that better aligns with your own moral code of ethics. Here’s how to find a job that aligns with your core values.

What Are Core Values?
Core values are your own personal sets of principles. Just like an organization will have their own goals and visions, you too will have a set of core values that govern how you live your life. This might include living with honesty and integrity, donating to charity, or working hard. If you don’t know what your core values are, sit down with yourself and think about what motivates you.

This can be a hard activity to do, and you might want to seek inspiration for finding your core values. Spiritual texts might be a good place to start, as each religion will have their own guiding principles for how to live and treat your fellow man. Christian discipleship courses can help you explore the Bible with help, if you find it daunting to read the whole book.

Know What Your Company Actually Stands For 
What are your company’s core values? And more importantly, do they actually stand by them? When looking for a role, you can easily review a company’s website to find out what their core values are. If it’s a publishing house, their values might be disseminating research to the academic community. Reading reviews on sites like Glassdoor can help give a true insight into company culture and whether their actions actually match their core values.

Ask Your Network About Certain Job Opportunities
Once you’ve discovered a company that aligns with your core values, seek out your LinkedIn or close network for more advice or even a referral into that business. Certain businesses offer internal referral fees, so both you and your referrer can benefit. You might simply want to ask them what the company culture is like, for a better insight on whether you should apply for that role.

Be Upfront About Your Values With Recruiters and Employers
If you truly want a job that aligns with your code of ethics, then list it on your resume. Be honest with recruiters and employers when you apply for the role. If you need to make sure employees are paid above minimum wage in developing countries, make sure to research the role before you apply, and if in doubt, put it on your resume.

Conclusion
If you’re ready to find a job that aligns with your core values, then take some time to work out what your personal code of ethics is. Once you’re ready to search for a role, research companies online and then seek out reviews to make sure they practice what they preach. Ask your network about any companies they work for, either for referral opportunities or for a genuine insight into how these businesses work. Finally, be upfront about your values when applying for roles if it’s integral to whether you would work with a business.