Find Your Fit: Using Purpose to Navigate Recruiting with Intention
- Heather Henderson
- Jul 21
- 3 min read
Ever feel like you’re molding yourself to fit a job instead of finding one that actually fits you?
This isn’t just about landing a job—it’s about shaping your future. Learn how to job search with purpose, not pressure.
No more performative cover letters or guessing games. You’ll walk away with tools to get clear, tell your story, and target roles where you’ll actually thrive.
Bring your purpose. Leave with a plan.
🔑 Values: Clarify What Matters
When you’re not clear on your values, every job looks the same. When you are? You stop chasing every role — and start choosing with intention.
1. Values help you filter faster.
Core values like mentorship, autonomy, or impact become your *compass*. They narrow the field so you’re not just applying everywhere — you’re applying *on purpose*.
✨ Example: If growth and feedback matter to you, look for companies with formal mentorship or robust learning programs.
2. Values give you a storytelling edge.
Most candidates talk about skills. You’ll be able to talk about *alignment*. That makes your interviews stronger — and more human.
✨ Example: “I’m especially drawn to your open-source and accessibility work. As someone who values equity and inclusion, I’d be proud to contribute.”
3. Values make your outreach personal.
Generic messages don’t get replies. Values-driven ones do.
✨ Example:“Your mission around climate justice really resonates with me — I’m passionate about sustainability and would love to contribute as a UX designer.”
Your values aren’t fluff. They’re your filter, your differentiator, and your guide.
💫 Find Your "Why"
In a tough job market, clarity is your superpower. Your why keeps you going when rejections pile up or imposter syndrome hits.
Prompts to Spark Your Why:
What’s something you’ve worked on that made you feel alive or proud?
What frustrates you about the world — or tech — that you’d love to help change?
Whose life do you want your work to impact?
Now write your why in one sentence:
Start with: “I’m passionate about…” or “My goal is to…”
💬 “I’m passionate about making mental health tools more inclusive and accessible.”
💬 “My goal is to use AI to solve real-world education gaps.”
✍️ Your Story: The Real Why Behind the Why
Think about a moment that shaped what you care about — something frustrating, unfair, or deeply personal.
What happened?
How did it make you feel?
What did it teach you?
What values came alive?
If you could help fix that issue, what would it look like?
Now find the thread. What word, value, or insight kept coming up? That’s your driver.
Reflection Prompts:
What was the thread in my story?
What did it teach me about what I want in my career?
How does it connect to the kind of impact I want to have?
How might it show up in an interview or intro conversation?
🎯 Strategy: Align Your Story to Companies
Values → Story → Strategy
Why this matters...
You’ll target better-fit orgs.
Your interviews and DMs will land stronger.
You’ll feel more confident being selective.
Quick Map Activity:
A company I admire.
One value we share.
What they’re doing that matters to me?
How my story connects?
How I’d love to contribute?
Practice Your Pitch
“I’m drawn to [Company] because of [shared value, mission, or work]. It connects to my experience with [short story/value], and I’d love to contribute by [skill/goal].”
Example: “I’m drawn to Patagonia because of their climate activism. I grew up near wildfire zones, and I’d love to support your environmental data initiatives as a product manager.”
✅ Final Takeaway: Recruiting With Intention
You don’t need to fit into every room. You need to find the rooms where you belong.
When you lead with your values, align with purpose, and connect your story to the mission — you don’t have to fake it to make it. You just have to be you.
You’re not just getting a job. You’re building a life.
Let’s do it on purpose!
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