How to ensure a potential employer matches your values.
For job seekers, finding an organization that matches your values is important. However, how can you get the information you need to determine if an organization’s values align with your needs?
The first step when you see a job posting you can really see yourself is to do your research, such as checking the organization’s website. However, note not all companies identify their core values online, even though it can only help an organization’s reputation as an employer of choice when they are transparent about their values and activities. In that case, you can ask the human resources professional identified on the job posting about their values directly.
Regardless of how you are doing your research, it’s important to think about the questions you want answered first. Here are a few you should ask yourself to determine if an organization’s values will align with your own:
What organization values matter to you?
Take the time to think about what values truly matter to you, and how that would be actioned within an organization. If diversity, equity, inclusivity, and belonging is important to you, for example, this could include seeing if the organization has employee resource groups where you can network, formal diversity mentorship programs for career enhancement, and flexible and alternative work arrangement policies.
Know what you expect of the organization and then explore whether it will meet your needs.
Does the organization hold itself accountable when it comes to values?
Check to see if they have strategic priorities that align with your key values, and how they measure progress.
What do the people within the organization or those the conduct business say about the organization and its culture?
Assessing internal team dynamics or culture can be tricky, even more so to see if it will align with what you need, expect, or value. In an era where information is at your fingertips, take the time to assess what information is available to you. Something as simple as the organizational chart can provide insights: if you value diversity, for example, that can answer questions such as: Does the organization appear to be diverse? Is that reflected in its leadership? If you were hired in this position, would you feel your diversity could potentially be tokenized?
You should also see what people are posting about organizational culture and experiences in places like Glassdoor, Fairygodboss, or Indeed. You’ll get the good, bad, and ugly truths about prospective employers there.
Each organization will have their own values focus and priorities, stated or not. It’s important to identify what you value and what you expect from your prospective employer. Knowing this makes your research much easier so you can truly find YOUR employer of choice.
This article is adapted from one written by Shafana Mitha CPA, CMA, which originally appeared in the Winter 2025 issue of CPA Alberta’s Capitalize magazine.
