Looking for a Job? Start with Your Values, Not the Job Boards
A job hunt can feel like a grind.
You scroll through listings.
You polish your résumé.
You tweak your cover letter for the hundredth time.
You know what to do.
You know how to present yourself.
And still, the process feels tiring.
Not just because it is competitive or repetitive.
But because none of the options feel like a clear yes.
It Might Not Be About the Listings
This is where job searching becomes more than a practical task. You are not just looking for work. You are looking for something that fits your life. And if you are only filtering for location, salary, or title, you might miss the most important piece.
A job that appears to be a good fit on paper isn't always one that fits in practice. It might look impressive, but you have a feeling that it will drain you. It might meet your financial needs, but feel disconnected from your purpose. You might tell yourself you should want it, even while feeling something inside pull back.
The real issue might not be the job market.
It might be that your values are not yet part of the search.
Values Are a Better Filter Than Keywords
When you start with your values, you shift the focus from what you can do to what matters to you. You start asking different questions:
- Does this company value collaboration, or competition?
- Will this role allow me to grow, or just keep me busy?
- Will I be able to show up honestly, or will I have to perform a version of myself?
These questions do not replace practical needs. But they help you understand why some roles feel heavy and others feel energizing. They help you trust what you feel, even when a role looks good on paper.
A job that aligns with your values does not need to be perfect.
It just needs to support who you are and how you want to live.
A Question to Reflect On
What would shift if you filtered your job search by values instead of just opportunity?
