How to Find a Job that Aligns with Your Values, with Janell Brittain
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Imagine ending each workday energized and proud of what you do. That feeling often comes from working for an employer that shares your values. When your values align, you do your best work. A values-driven search also helps you focus on the opportunities that fit you best. And hiring managers notice that alignment.
On this episode of “Find Your Dream Job,” Janell Brittain, membership director at the Oregon Environmental Council, shares how to find a job that aligns with your values. She explains a simple end-of-day self-assessment and how informational interviews give you a clear picture of a role. Plus, she offers encouragement for career changers and ideas for growing in your current job.
About Our Guest:
- Janell Brittain is the membership director for the Oregon Environmental Council.
Resources in This Episode:
- Connect with Janell on LinkedIn.
Transcript
Find Your Dream Job, Episode 574:
How to Find a Job that Aligns with Your Values, with Janell Brittain
Airdate: October 21, 2026
Mac Prichard:
This is Find Your Dream Job, the podcast that helps you get hired, have the career you want, and make a difference in life.
I’m your host, Mac Prichard. I’m also the founder of Mac’s List. It’s a job board in the Pacific Northwest that helps you find a fulfilling career.
Every Wednesday, I talk to a different expert about the tools you need to get the work you want.
Values matter when you look for your next job.
You’ll likely do your best work for employers who care about the same things that you do.
Janell Brittain is here to talk about how to find a job that aligns with your values.
She’s the membership director for the Oregon Environmental Council.
Her organization champions equitable, innovative, and collaborative solutions to Oregon’s environmental challenges for today and future generations.
Janell joins us from Portland, Oregon.
Well, let’s jump right into it. Janell, when you talk about your values, what do you mean exactly, and how do they shape your career?
Janell Brittain:
Yeah, I think values to me mean what makes you who you are, what makes you tick, what gets you up out of bed every morning and keeps you pushing forward. And so for me, I think sometimes those can align with your work or your employer, and sometimes they don’t. And so I really think that finding the way to connect the two really makes you the best employee and really just brings you the most satisfaction out of your day.
Mac Prichard:
And should you aim for a 100% match, Janell, or 50/50 when you think about your values and your employers? What have you seen work in people’s careers?
Janell Brittain:
Gosh, I think a hundred percent would be amazing. Maybe, maybe, Mac, you had that when you started your own company. But I think that’s probably unrealistic in the reality that you’re working for someone. But I think the more values you can align yourself with, the better you’re gonna be.
So I don’t have an exact percentage, but I think the more you can align yourself, the better. What are those values that are non-negotiable for you? What do you have to see every day to keep showing up and being a really productive employee? Make sure you find someone that aligns with those.
Mac Prichard:
And how can focusing on your values help your job search? Some audience members might think, Well, that’s nice to have, but that’s gonna make it harder for me to find a job. But what’s been your experience? Can focusing on your values help?
Janell Brittain:
I think it can. I think, I mean, I think in the world right now, job searching just feels really hard and really challenging, and so I feel for everyone in that space. But it’s vast. So there are so many jobs out there.
There are so many things you can look at. And so I think if you really start to narrow down, what exactly do you want? And that can help by knowing the values of the organization or the company you’re looking at, and your values.
And what are those pieces that you really need to have to make either the leap to the next role or the next opportunity or get you that next job? So I do think it’s really important. I think it will also help narrow the search, which feels pretty vast right now.
Mac Prichard:
And why is it important to narrow your search, Janell? Many people might think, Well, no, I wanna keep my options open. I don’t wanna close anything off. What does narrowing help you?
Janell Brittain:
Yeah, I think that’s valid to keep your options open. You never know what opportunity might, you know, land in your lap. But I think I like to say, like, throwing spaghetti at the wall and seeing what sticks.
When it comes to your career, I don’t necessarily recommend that as the best approach. I think if you’re gonna be at an employer and really devote yourself to that place and really build your career, you wanna find a place that works for you.
And I know a lot of people I’ve worked with in the past who really are flexible and can find their place anywhere. But I urge people to really think about themselves and where they’re gonna be happy. And so I think that can help by narrowing that search, or at least the field, or again those, like values, those core values they’re looking for.
Mac Prichard:
What about employers? Why do employers care about a candidate for whom values matter?
Janell Brittain:
Yeah, I currently work in a mission-driven organization and work with people who are also in that space, and so I’ve sat on the other side of actually, you know, hiring people, and it is so clear when someone really wants to work there because their values are aligned.
So that can show up in the cover letter or the resume and especially in the room, whether it’s virtual or phone or in person. I think that is so important that you express that you really wanna work there and that it is authentic.
I think authenticity can really come through, and I think in the mission-driven space, folks are really looking to make sure people are their their values are aligned with the mission or the culture of that organization. So I think it comes across clearly, and so I think it’s a positive if it does align.
Mac Prichard:
So you’re in that room, you’re along with other members of a hiring committee at a mission-driven organization, you’re interviewing candidates, and you’ve got two people, one whose values align with your organization, and another who has equally good or maybe even better skills for the job, but there isn’t a match with the values. What have you seen happen when people are considering those two applicants?
Janell Brittain:
I think values tend to come through. I think it, I mean, I’m not gonna speak for every employer out there on what’s gonna what’s gonna be the deciding factor, but I think values really do make people shine in an interview.
And when that person does get hired, I think they do really well too. And I think they work hard, and they find a lot of job satisfaction. And so I think it’s definitely, you know, blending the two: you have to have the skills, and you have to have the core competencies needed for that role.
And then it’s icing on the cake when you also really care about the mission or really align yourself with the values of that organization or that company. And so I think it’s twofold. I think it’s really good for the employer, and then I think it’s also really good for the employee too and their job satisfaction.
Mac Prichard:
And now you work for a nonprofit, and you’ve talked about your organization’s mission and its values, but every employer, whether nonprofit or private or in government, has a mission, has a culture and values. So what would you say to somebody who is looking for work in the private sector? Do values still matter there?
Janell Brittain:
Oh yeah. I think they matter everywhere. I can, like, shout it from the rooftop how I think values are so important. And so I’ve worked with clients all over the spectrum of industry and have sat on the hiring side in different industries as well. And values alignment is so key. And authentic values alignment too.
I think also in this world where it just feels really hard to get a good job right now, it feels really
taxing and tiring, that can come across as like inauthentic, but if you authentically align yourself with those values and you can communicate that effectively in the room, I think that’s in a way a golden ticket.
So no matter what the industry is, I think finding that employee who really aligns herself with your values is really great.
Mac Prichard:
What’s the best way to share your values with a prospective employer? What have you seen work? Should you do that in the application materials in the interview? What’s been effective, Janell?
Janell Brittain:
Yeah, I think there are a few places you can do that. I think cover letters are great. I think that can be a place where you really stand out and share your values. I think a resume tends to be more formal or standard, whereas the cover letter is where you can kind of shine.
I also think finding someone to talk to, if you can, if they allow that in the process, and communicating with them and really understanding their values and your values. And sharing, expressing how they align, is also great.
Great learning and a way for you to share as well. Those are two places just on the front end of maybe the hiring process.
Mac Prichard:
Terrific. Well, let’s pause and take a break. When we return, Janell Brittain will continue to share her advice on how to find a job that aligns with your values.
We’re back in the Mac’s List studio. I’m talking with Janell Brittain. She’s the membership director of the Oregon Environmental Council.
Her organization champions equitable, innovative, and collaborative solutions to Oregon’s environmental challenges for today and future generations.
And she joins us from Portland, Oregon.
So Janell, we’re talking about how to find a job that aligns with your values, and in our first segment, we discussed
Why it’s important to do so, how it can help your job search, and make your candidacy attractive to employers. Let’s talk about the mechanics of doing this. And one of the first steps I know you recommend is a self-assessment. And you’ve got a question that you encourage people to ask themselves to do that self-assessment. Tell us about that.
Janell Brittain:
Yeah, Mac, it’s pretty simple, but I think it’s something anyone can do. So I recommend that when you’re struggling to figure out if your place of employment is right for you or if it really does align with you, it’s on your commute home, if you do commute. I know a lot of folks don’t commute anymore.
So at the end of your day, ask yourself, was it a good day or a bad day? Simple. And then really take stock of your answer.
So whether that’s writing it down or having a voice note or whatever is simplest for you, track what made it good and what made it bad. And do that over the next few weeks or even a month. And you’ll start to notice trends on what’s good and what’s bad.
Mac Prichard:
And when you’ve encouraged people to do this exercise, what happens? What do you learn?
Janell Brittain:
I think you learn whether your job is really causing you dissatisfaction or not. I think a lot of times you’re actually perfectly happy and content where you’re at. Maybe it’s not the specific role, but you see a future there.
Or maybe it’s external factors that are really impacting you, and the job itself is fine. And once you start figuring out the good and the bad, okay, actually no, I’m happy here. Let’s figure out how I can really hone in on that happiness or those values. or
You’re leaning towards, actually, my days aren’t great because of certain things that this employer is doing or this job. And you can start to think, okay, what makes a good day good? And let’s make sure the next place I look for has those good things. And that can start you on the path of discovery.
Mac Prichard:
So you make that list, you figure out what’s making you happy or leading to a bad day. How does that inform your values, and how does what you learn about your values by doing this exercise help you if you decide it’s time to go, get ready for a job search?
Janell Brittain:
Yeah, I think those, well, at least with the clients I’ve worked with, the themes really do highlight those values. So you might start learning, like, actually, when I’m working with people and mentoring people, those are the days I thrive.
Or the opposite, like when I’m having to deal with people, that’s not my good days. And you start to figure out, okay, I wanna be in a people-led organization or a mission-driven or whatever those factors might be.
And those, I think, themes just really help you figure out exactly what your values are.
Mac Prichard:
Okay. So another step I know you recommend is to talk to people who have the job that you want. How do you find these people, and what do you hope to get from these conversations?
Janell Brittain:
Yeah, so once you start to really hone in on, okay, I wanna start finding an organization with my values. I think LinkedIn is a great place for networking in general, but to me, I found that space to be really great.
And I know clients and other people have found that. And you can start to see, okay, here’s a job that I think sounds interesting or a company that sounds interesting. I’m gonna see if I have anyone that I’m connected to in that space.
Great, reach out to them. Or you might have a friend who’s connected to that friend. And just start there. What I have found is people are so gracious. They’re gracious with their time. They love to talk about what they do, how happy they are, where they work, and help people.
I think people just like to help people, especially right now; I’m finding that. And so, networking, and then at the end of those informational interviews or those conversations, ask that person.
Is there anyone else you think that would be helpful for me to talk to? And I guarantee they’ll have a handful of people they’ll connect you with, and it will start you down this path. So I think really learning from firsthand people, I think, can help you see if that’s something you really want to explore.
Mac Prichard:
So, at the end of that conversation, you’ve chatted with someone for thirty minutes about what they do, and you’re curious because it interests you. And you ask for introductions or suggestions about other people you might talk to.
How do you know that’s a successful meeting? It’s probably that you’re not gonna get a job offer at the end of the conversation, as you said it’s an informational interview. How is that gonna help you get your next job? Do you know?
Janell Brittain:
Yeah, great. I think it helps inform you. So it really helps inform you on whether this is the place you want to be, or is this the type of job you want to be doing. And so it might have some skills that you hear, I do want to do that every day, or, you know, I don’t.
It starts informing where you might wanna be, and who you might what your job might wanna be, who you wanna work with, who you wanna work for, and then you can start looking at specific jobs because you know more.
I think a job posting makes it hard to understand what the day-to-day is gonna look like. So with the background of the conversations, that helps. And then, you know, I think that person may refer you or may know of a job that’s coming up.
I know that there’s a job coming up in the next few weeks. Keep your eyes out. So you never know where those conversations will land you. But I think they’re really helpful to inform your decision-making when you are starting to apply for other jobs.
Mac Prichard:
Is that a better approach than sitting down in front of your computer and looking at job postings that may or may not interest you? And if so, why, Janell?
Janell Brittain:
I think so. I think both can be helpful. But I think talking to someone who’s firsthand in the job or has done the work, I think is gonna give you so much more color and clarity about what the job is.
I think writing job postings and helping people write them is hard. It’s really hard to think about all the things and put it on a black-and-white piece of paper. So I think talking with people is really helpful.
I think looking at job postings is definitely great too. You can really see what’s out there, and that too could be a helpful ticket. So you see a job posting, and it sounds interesting. Maybe then you go into LinkedIn or your network and see, does someone work there?
Does someone even have this job title or something similar? And you can work that way too. So I think both can kind of work in tandem for sure.
Mac Prichard:
Okay. So you’ve done the self-assessment, you’ve identified the values that excite you, you’ve gone out and talked to people who are working at the organizations or have the jobs, or ideally both that match with your values.
What if you know you need to leave your job but you can’t move right away for different reasons, perhaps financial or personal? What do you recommend people do?
Janell Brittain:
Yeah, I think it’s hard being stuck in a role that you know isn’t what you want to do, and maybe you just have to be there for whatever that reason is. That is so hard, but I think you have a whole life outside of work, and I would recommend filling that time with things that bring you joy and that do align with your values. And then at work, see if there’s a special project you can work on.
That helps build a skill that you know you’ll need for maybe the next role. Or see if there’s an opportunity, if you want to mentor, find a mentoring opportunity or someone to mentor you. Try to really do whatever you can in your day-to-day to align yourself with those values until you can make that leap to the next, next place.
Mac Prichard:
Many people who go on this journey and want to find a job or career that better matches their values find themselves looking at a career change. What have you seen work, Janell, for people who have a set of skills in one industry or one career and want to move in a new direction?
How have they made the case persuasively to employers that those skills are transferable so they can land in a place that does match their values?
Janell Brittain:
Yeah, I think those conversations, those networking conversations, help you understand what those skills are that are needed. I think looking at those job postings as well and looking at your resume or your, you know, catalog of skills and seeing, okay, here are some skills I have, and how are they transferable?
And making that case, whether that’s a cover letter or a conversation with the hiring manager, making sure you really understand how they’re transferable and painting, you know, telling the story for them. I think it’s important that you can communicate how those skills transfer. And yeah.
Mac Prichard:
Terrific. Well, it’s been a great conversation. Now tell us, Janell, what’s next for you?
Janell Brittain:
Well, I’m two weeks back from maternity leave, Mac. So I am learning what it means to have two little kids and working, but I’m thank you, but I’m working I’m very lucky, as you’ve mentioned, to work for an organization, Oregon Environmental Council, that does align with my personal values.
I’m the membership director, so I work tirelessly to build our membership base and grow and diversify the organization so we can continue building a brighter future for Oregonians.
So yeah, I recommend that if folks are interested in learning more, whether it’s about OEC or just to talk to me further, I’m happy to talk with people. On our website, though, we do have job postings here and there, so I know people are looking.
So I recommend looking at our website for the job postings. You can become an action taker, or you can find my information. I’m happy to talk to anyone further.
Mac Prichard:
Terrific. Well, I know that you also encourage people to connect with you on LinkedIn, and we’ll be sure to include your LinkedIn URL and your organization’s website in the show notes. When you do reach out to Janell on LinkedIn, please mention you heard her on Find Your Dream Job.
Now, Janell, given all the great advice you’ve shared today, what’s the one thing you want our audience to remember about how to find a job that aligns with your values?
Janell Brittain:
Yeah, I would say believe in yourself. I think everyone is special and has things that make them who they are. And employers love that. We love your authenticity. We love how unique you are, and we want that.
And so believe in yourself. I know the job search can be really hard, but keep your spirits up, and I just wanna wish everyone good luck.
Mac Prichard:
Thank you for listening to Find Your Dream Job.
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Have a question or a suggestion? Email me at mac@macslist.org, or connect with me on LinkedIn.
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This show is produced by Mac’s List.
Susan Thornton-Hough schedules our guests and writes our newsletter. Lisa Kislingbury Anderson manages our social media and creates our transcripts.
Our sound engineer and editor is Megan Hattie Stahl. Our music is by Freddy Trujillo.
This is Mac Prichard. See you next week.
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