How to find a company that aligns with your values
Today, Great Place to Work and Fortune Magazine have recognized Adobe as one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For. We are so proud to say that we are celebrating 22 years on the prestigious list and have come in at no. 32 this year.
We take great pride in being recognized year after year, and we owe it all to our employees. As a company that’s approaching its 40th anniversary this year, we recognize that our company culture is fluid. However, what has not changed are our company’s core values—Genuine, Exceptional, Innovative and Involved—which remain critical to our success, and guide how we hire candidates. After 22 years on Fortune’s list of 100 Best Companies to Work For and listening to what our employees have told us, here is how we recommend finding a company that aligns with your values and career aspirations.
Map out your own core values
Start with understanding what kind of values are important to you! Create a values chart about what’s most important to you. This could range from how you value work and life, how your passions align with your career aspirations, or even how you like to work (In-office? Hybrid/flexible? Remote?). Figure out what’s truly important to you, and what you’re more flexible about.
And don’t know what your values are? Ask the people in your life to help you. Family, friends, mentors, and teammates can help identify what they think is important to you. It helps to get another perspective—the answers may surprise you!
Do your research
Like many interviewing tips, getting to know a company’s business is a best practice. But outside of just understanding what companies sell, be sure to ask yourself if you agree with their business ethics. Here at Adobe, we believe in being ethical, transparent, authentic and working with integrity. We demonstrate this by sharing data, like our pay parity metrics, or leading the charge on programs like the Content Authenticity Initiative, and creating an AI Ethics Committee.
But outside of that, research what companies are (or not) saying on social channels, explore their hashtags, and find out what employees are sharing with their network! Oftentimes, the voices of employees are a great way to gauge a company’s culture and values and give you an authentic look at what people are saying.
Put it into action
Now that you’ve mapped out your personal values and done your research on companies that align with them, don’t be afraid to bring it up! Create a section on your resume about your core values and discuss them during your interviews with specific questions. Don’t compromise who you are! Here at Adobe, we want you to be your authentic self. We truly believe that when people share their life experiences in honest and vulnerable ways, everyone gains a greater appreciation and understanding of those different from them, and when people feel respected and included, they can be more creative, innovative, and successful.
To determine the 2022 list, Great Place to Work surveyed over half a million employees on issues including how trustworthy, caring and fair the company is in times of crises; employees’ physical, emotional and financial health; and the company’s broader community impact. Particular attention was paid to how employees’ experiences varied depending on their job role, gender, race/ethnicity, payroll status, and other characteristics to ensure that the company is creating a great workplace for all.