All over LinkedIn and Reddit, people are calling the job market a numbers game. According to our 2024 Recruiting Experience Survey, interns applied to a median of 50 jobs, while new grads applied to a median of 40. However, at the upper end, both groups submitted hundreds of applications, with some even approaching 1,000!

What if it didn’t have to be like that?

What if you could apply to fewer jobs but get more interview requests?

Enter: a value-based job search.

A values-based job search is a job search strategy where you define your non-negotiable criteria first, things like company culture, growth opportunities, and compensation, and only apply to companies that meet them. Instead of sending hundreds of applications, you send fewer, more targeted ones.

Nicole Wright, former university recruiter and current Director of Partner Experience at RTC, suggests a more holistic job search method. A values-based job search makes your most important job criteria non-negotiable, reducing the number of applications you send while increasing your interview opportunities.

Before you can start applying for jobs using this approach, you have to nail down your values.

What values or attributes are most important for a company you work for to have? 

Consider what you want each of these to look like for your company:

  • Culture: How people treat each other day-to-day, whether collaboration is real or performative, and how the company handles mistakes
  • Growth Opportunities: Whether there are clear paths to promotion, access to mentorship, or budget for learning and development
  • Size of Company: Whether you thrive in a large structured org or a smaller team where your role is less defined
  • Programming/Events: Whether the company invests in employee development, community building, or social connection beyond the job itself
  • Group Projects vs. Individual Work: How much of your day-to-day involves collaboration versus heads-down independent work
  • Silo vs. Collaboration: Whether teams share information openly or operate independently with limited cross-functional visibility
  • Compensation: Whether the salary, equity, benefits, and total package reflect your financial needs and what you bring to the role
  • Location: Whether remote, hybrid, or in-office policies match how you actually work best

Once you have a solid list of values and non-negotiables you want in a company, you’re ready to begin!

How to Find and Evaluate Companies That Match Your Values

Find those dream companies that match your aspirations and needs. Some of them might be hiring, and some might not be currently. Write their name down and come back to them in the future. They might be the next stop on your journey! 

In the numbers strategy, you’d be applying to jobs without much thought., However, with a values-based job search strategy, if you see a job that sounds interesting to you, dig in and do some research. Don’t just click quick apply. Instead, dig deep into the company. Do they align with the values you marked as important? 

If they do, add them to your list and apply. 

If they don’t, move on. 

There’s no need to apply for a job at a company that doesn’t fit with what you’ve deemed important. You’re evaluating the company as much as they’re evaluating you.

How to Contact Recruiters and Hiring Managers

Find the recruiter/hiring manager for all the companies you’ve applied to on LinkedIn and send them a request with a message! Don’t spam them, however! Strategically pick 1 or 2 people to reach out to. 

Here’s an example of what you could send: 

Hi [Recruiting or Hiring Manager’s Name],
I hope your day is going well! My name is NAME. I’m a recent grad from SCHOOL, with a background in DEGREE/FIELD. I recently applied to your role, JOB TITLE at COMPANY. I really resonate with your company’s MISSION/VALUE/ATTRIBUTES and would love to connect with you!
Cheers,
NAME

Nicole recommends reaching out again after they accept your request. Recruiters and hiring managers typically receive a flood of requests, so sending a follow-up message can help you stand out. You’ll be more likely to get a response, and it will help them remember your name when reviewing applications. 

Make sure to mention some of those values you defined earlier in your job search process!

How to Use Your Network in a Values-Based Job Search

Dig through your connections and see if you know anyone at the company or if anyone at the company is a member of the same organizations you are (like RTC!). You can even check and see if anyone went to the same university as you! For RTC members, this means you can search our member base through teamRTC or ask about experiences through our Slack communities!

Reach out and ask if they’d be interested in talking to you about the company you’re applying to. 

Here’s an example of what we mean:

Hi NAME,
I hope your day is going well! My name is NAME. I’m a recent grad from SCHOOL, with a background in DEGREE/FIELD. I recently applied to your role JOB TITLE at COMPANY. I really resonate with your company’s MISSION/VALUE/ATTRIBUTE and would love to connect with you!
Cheer,
NAME

By making it less transactional, you’re more likely to receive a response and potentially create a new connection, even if this specific job opportunity doesn’t work out. 

Important Reminder during the Job Search Process: No Two Paths are the Same!

Finding a job is tough, but taking a values-based approach puts you in control. By focusing on what truly matters to you, you’ll not only land a job, you’ll land the right job. It also helps you to speak to the company’s values once you make it to the interview process – you’ll be far ahead your peers and will be able to showcase the research you have done!

If you are an RTC member and want a more in-depth guide to a values-based job search, take a look at Nicole’s webinar! She walks you through the entire process and gives you recruitment insider tips to help you along the way. 

If you aren’t a member of RTC, join today.