Job Commandment #1: Know Thyself
To make your procurement career shine, it’s essential to know what kind of values you strive for in your work.
If someone asked you what you value, or what your personal values are, you’d probably be able to answer pretty easily. Whether you’re a social person who loves being surrounded by family and friends, or you’re a quiet nature-loving reader, identifying your personal values is pretty easy.
But your work values?
Not so much. Unlike some careers such as becoming a doctor or an artist, not many of us plan, from a young age, to pursue a corporate career in procurement. For that reason, it’s certainly not uncommon to be years – or in some people’s case, decades – into your procurement career without really taking a step back and asking yourself what you really value at work, and how you can find it.
If you’ve found yourself in this position, here is a quick guide to understanding your values at work, and using them to turbo-boost your career:
What are my work values?
Do you remember being a procurement graduate? Do you recall that dazzling feeling that you would wield power over exciting and complex supply chains, and that you’d make a real difference? Do you also remember the moment that you realised that procurement tasks weren’t the only thing you had to contend with at work, and that your work culture, boss, stakeholders and a lot of other things also dictated your job satisfaction?
At organisations large and small, the tasks we do are only a fraction of what is required in the workplace. And for that reason, when you think about your work values, you need to think about them broadly.
According to research, each and every one of us has three sets of work values: extrinsic values (which include tangible rewards, such as pay and promotions), intrinsic values (which include the need to be creative, challenged and respected) and lifestyle values (which include work-life balance). All are worthy of consideration, although some may be more important to you.
When considering your values, the first type of values you’ll need to think about are your extrinsic values. If, for example, you’re a person who is highly motivated by a high salary, you might choose to work in higher-paying industries, such as banking and finance. If you are seeking more career progression, you might choose to work at an extremely large organisation.
Next, you need to consider your intrinsic values. The culture of the company you’re working for and the people that surround you will likely make a difference to these. For example, do you crave autonomy and independence? If so, choose a manager who gives you this, and an organisation who supports flexibility, for example.
Finally, lifestyle values are critical at work. These include your organisation’s attitude to flexible work, and whether they enable you to work from home, or you’re required to commute to an office, and how accommodating they are to your needs and preferences.
Why are work values important?
Work values are important for one critical reason: if you find an organisation which matches your values, you’ll be much happier. In fact, the one factor which determines job satisfaction above all else is how your values align with your work environment.
Knowing your values enables you to ask – and answer – critical procurement career questions such as:
- What type of procurement role (for example, full-time or contracting) suits me best?
- Alternatively, is procurement for me at all, or would something else be a better match?
- What type of work environment will suit me best, for example, a large organisation or a small business?
How to use your work values to identify your dream job
Asking yourself the above questions can be a little unnerving. Often, if you’re unhappy in your role, it’s because one or more of your values aren’t aligned with your current role or organisation.
But what next?
If you’re not happy with your current role, it’s always advisable to do what you can to make the situation better, for example, by asking for a pay rise or inquiring about additional learning opportunities.
However, if you really think that the values alignment is too large, you can also use values-based questions when interviewing for a new role by asking about the work environment, work-life balance, expectations, and much more.
Which leads us to…
How to use your work values to your advantage in a job interview
Picture this – you’re sitting across from your next potential employer, who asks you, “Why us? Why have you specifically chosen to approach us?”
Think carefully about how you answer – it’s not just a matter of churning out a well-worn answer with a list of the company’s accomplishments. Sure, that helps, the company knows all the great things it has achieved! They want to know about you!
Good employers are not only looking for candidates with the right skill sets and experience – they’re looking for people who will fit into their team. You could have all the procurement and top negotiation skills in the world, but if your work values don’t fit into the team and contribute to a positive office culture, the mission is doomed from the start! Brian Kristofek, President of Advantage Culture and Marketing Solutions (and previously Founder and CEO of Upshot) said it perfectly: “Being a great place to work is the difference between being a good company and a great company.”
So, when you’re asked that all-important question, don’t shy away! Bring yourself into the equation. For example…
“I’m really glad you asked that. I’ve always admired the organisation’s ethos around upholding and maintaining a smaller but tightly-woven workforce. I thrive in this kind of work environment, and I believe that I would be an asset to an organisation with these values that align to my own.”
An asterisk…
If you’re confused about what you value most, don’t worry – our values are constantly evolving, and may be different in different situations. They can be a good compass, though, so use them wisely.
What is most important to you at work? Have your work values evolved over time? Let us know in the comments below.
