Find jobs based on your work values

How do I know what work is right for me?

We’ve all asked this question at some point throughout our careers. We tend to think that we need to choose a career and stick to it for the rest of our lives, but that’s not true - especially in today’s fast-changing world.

What are work values?

Think of work values as your personal compass - they are beliefs about what matters most to you in your career and workplace. These values reflect what you find meaningful and important at work.

Research supports that values are not theoretical, but a measurable factor that includes job satisfaction, employee engagement, performance and commitment. Our People Science team, including Dr. Sandra Matz (Associate Professor of Management at Columbia Business School) and Leanne Lee (Organisational Psychologist), has developed a comprehensive approach to understanding how individual values shape workplace experiences. Our framework integrates key theories such as Schwartz's Theory of Basic Values, Person-Environment Fit Theory, and the Theory of Work Adjustment to explore how personal values influence how we experience work.

For example, some people are energised by ambitious goals and recognition of achievements, while others prioritise making a positive impact on society. Some might value a workplace with clear processes and high standards, while others thrive in environments that emphasise creativity and innovation.

Why find jobs based on your work values?

When you find a role and organisation that aligns with your work values, work can be more fulfilling and feel engaged and connected. Here are a few examples of how values can operate in real life:

• A team leader encourages after-work social events to build team spirit. Someone who values a fun, vibrant workplace might find this exciting and an opportunity for connection. While someone who prioritises work-life balance might prefer keeping their personal time separate, valuing boundaries over social connection.
• A manager gives their team complete flexibility on how to achieve their targets. Someone who values independence might feel energised by this trust and freedom. While someone prioritising clear leadership and established processes might feel uncomfortable with the lack of structure.

Of course, some differences can also be helpful where there’s also shared ground. Imagine a everyone in the People and Culture team highly values learning and growth. One person also enjoys exciting challenges and innovation in program design. While another person values inclusivity and making everyone feel valued. Their different perspectives help create training programs that are both engaging and accessible to all learners.

How to figure out your work values

Understanding your work values isn't about creating an exhaustive list - it's about identifying what truly matters to you, including what matters less. This clarity helps you focus on what’s meaningful to you, and ask more meaningful questions when exploring opportunities.

Consider these aspects:

• What gives you a sense of purpose at work?
• What kind of workplace culture do you find energising?
• What organisational values are non-negotiable for you?
• What matters less to you in a workplace? This might be something you’re willing to let slide when things are busy.

Here are a few questions and tips to help you define your work values:

• What makes you happy at work?
• Do you like to work closely with others or independently?
• How much do you integrate your personal life and work life? Do you keep them completely separate?
• Ask your friends or co-workers how they could describe your work values. E.g. Are you collaborative, autonomous, supportive, focus on outcomes, prefer to get all the details etc.

If you’re just starting out in your career or still unsure about your work values, you can try a few different approaches:

• Think of a time at school or university when you had a task or project. How did you prefer to complete it?
• Not sure what exactly are your work values? You can always start with a list of what definitely is NOT part of your work values.

How to find organisations that share your work values

If you're ready to find a new job opportunity with organisations that share your work values, here are a few ways to get started:

• Use our Values Compass: Take our quick quiz to get an idea of your work values and get recommended companies that align with what you care about.
• Read between the lines of job ads: Look for clues about what the organisation values. Do they emphasise making a positive impact, professional development, work-life balance, or ambitious achievements?
• Visit company websites: Check their website to understand their mission, values, and culture. Do they prioritise innovation and creativity? Do they emphasise established practices and compliance? Look for evidence of how they put their values into practice.
• Watch team videos: Listen for mentions of what they value - whether it's inclusivity, high standards, clear leadership, or a fun, vibrant workplace.
• Ask meaningful questions in interviews: Prepare questions that help you understand how the organisation lives its values. For example:
  • "Can you tell me about how the team approaches professional development?"
  • "How does the organisation support work-life balance?"
  • "What does success look like in this role?"
  • "How does the organisation approach innovation and new ideas?"‍
• Connect with current employees: Your LinkedIn community can help! Reach out to people in the organisation to understand how values play out in day-to-day work. You might ask about the support for new ideas, emphasis on compliance, or approach to professional development.

Remember, there's no "right" set of work values - it's about finding an environment where you can thrive.

Find a role and team based on your work values

Explore live roles on Hatch across Marketing, Data, Sales, Tech, Ops and more. Stand out in your job applications by showcasing your strengths, values and motivation, not just your resume.

References:

Kristof-Brown, A. L., Zimmerman, R. D., & Johnson, E. C. (2005). "Consequences of Individuals' Fit at Work: A Meta-Analysis of Person-Job, Person-Organization, Person-Group, and Person-Supervisor Fit." Personnel Psychology, 58(2), 281-342.

Verquer, M. L., Beehr, T. A., & Wagner, S. H. (2003). "A Meta-Analysis of the Relationship Between Person-Organization Fit and Work Attitudes." Journal of Vocational Behavior, 63(3), 473-489.

Ros, M., Schwartz, S. H., & Surkiss, S. (1999). "Basic Individual Values, Work Values, and the Meaning of Work." Applied Psychology, 48(1), 49-71.