This article discusses how, by understanding company values, interviewees can choose the best companies to work for and increase their interviewing effectiveness. Information about company values might not be available in job descriptions. Even if this information is available, the internet usually can provide interviewees with more extensive information about the values that are held by the company that has a job open.
Some examples of company values might help to illustrate their importance in employee selection. Imagine that someone is thinking about applying for an open position in one of the stores of the Whole Foods Market chain of supermarkets. One of the core values of this organization is for its employees to have a willingness to interact with customers about high quality, natural, organic foods. Employees should be enthusiastic about natural and organic foods, health, nutrition, and the environment.
Those who are thinking about applying for this position should ask themselves how they feel about natural and organic foods, health, nutrition, and the environment. If they do not have strong positive feelings about this Whole Foods Market Company value, they should determine how they feel about the other core values of this possible employer. If they are at odds with too many of these core values, they possibly should look for another employer whose core values are more in line with their core values.
In the process of comparing their core values with the core values of different companies that have open positions, job seekers eventually will become more aware of their own core values. Doing so will help them to choose more wisely the positions for which they should apply. These wise choices will increase their chances of being hired and increase their chances of being happy in their new jobs. As Proverbs 8:11 reads, “For wisdom is better than jewels; And all desirable things cannot compare with her.”
Company core values often are found in the mission statement of the company. Sometimes, core values are listed separately.
Some company core values are sincere, and some company core values, however, are not so sincere. As Stan Slap so wisely said, “Profitability. Growth. Quality. Exceeding customer expectations. These are not examples of values. These are examples of corporate strategies being sold to you as values.” As job seekers read lists of company values, they should keep this advice in mind.
