How to Answer: Do the values of our company align with what you view as important?
25. Do the values of our company align with what you view as important?
The Goal
The interviewer is looking for evidence that you have researched the hiring company before your interview. They also want to see a strong alignment between the company's values and yours. The goal of your response is to show that you have spent time getting to know the company's values then make a clear connection between those values and how you operate in your personal and professional life.
Written by Rachelle Enns on March 16th, 2022
What to Avoid
Avoid simply memorizing the hiring company's values and reciting them back to the interviewer. Instead, spend time absorbing what the company's values mean and consider how you emulate those values in your life. This way, your response will feel genuine and thoughtful.
Written by Rachelle Enns on March 16th, 2022
Pro Tip
Most companies will have their core values available on their website. You must know and understand the company's values to make a strong alignment statement. When responding, be sure to include specific examples of how you actively live those values.
Written by Rachelle Enns on March 16th, 2022
1st Answer Example
"I conducted a great deal of research on Company ABC before coming here today. I appreciate that the organization's values include excellence in customer service and transparency in pricing. What stands out most to me is the company's commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion efforts. I was impressed after reading the letter from your CEO, published on the company website. Her words felt genuine. I consider myself a sincere person who welcomes those different from me. I take every new experience and treat it as an opportunity to learn and make meaningful connections."
Written by Rachelle Enns on March 16th, 2022
2nd Answer Example
"I appreciate how proud Company ABC is of its values - to treat everyone with kindness and to deliver above customer expectations every time. These values align closely with those I have set for myself in my professional career. I am mindful to extend kindness to others, even in difficult situations where it might be easier to act selfishly. I am also customer-centric. Without exceptional service standards, a business is purely transactional. Relationships are most important to me in my personal and professional life. As you can see, there is a lot of overlap between the company values and my own, which makes me very excited to work and grow here."
Written by Rachelle Enns on March 16th, 2022
User-Submitted Answer
"Stryker's mission - Together with our customers, we are driven to make healthcare better.
This ethos aligns with my core values as I will gain the ability to provide a solution that will improve the health and well being of patients and caregivers. The main components of the company are integrity, accountability, people, and performance, all of which I regard highly in my personality."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Rachelle Enns Reviewed the Above Answer
Excellent work, bringing in the company mission and matching this with your own core values. Well done!
User-Submitted Answer
"Absolutely, the fact that the company is patient-centric and to deliver quality to them is very important to me. I strive to improve a patient's life by delivering them a quality item and service that will help grow the company further."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Cindy Ramsey Reviewed the Above Answer
Good! This is a good opportunity to expand on what you know about the company's values. Have you done any research and can you share what you learned?
User-Submitted Answer
"Yes, Stryker's mission is about making people's lives better thru better medical care and devices. They value integrity, accountability, people, and performance. These resonate very strongly with me as an HR professional. My career has been built on doing the right thing, taking ownership of my actions, and that of my team, developing people to be their best every day."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Rachelle Enns Reviewed the Above Answer
Alignment is key! Be sure to draw out specifics as per the company you are interviewing with.
User-Submitted Answer
"Yes. Their values align with mine about putting the patient first."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Rachelle Enns Reviewed the Above Answer
In your real-time interview, you will want to mention the company's core values specifically and what you have done in the past to uphold similar values.
User-Submitted Answer
"Yes - it is very important for me to be working for a company that has a true mission of improving healthcare and patient outcomes while acting with integrity and providing an inclusive culture that rewards performance."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Rachelle Enns Reviewed the Above Answer
You are very detailed in the values that speak the most to you. Excellent approach!
User-Submitted Answer
"Yes! Your company values align with what I view as important.
I have a strong work ethic - holding myself Accountable for the work that I produce.
It is important to me to make a positive contribution to the healthcare industry.
I have an unwavering commitment to customer service and a passion for improving patient outcomes."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Stephanie Cafaro Reviewed the Above Answer
Good job in naming specific company values--it's always important to do your research before going into an interview!
User-Submitted Answer
"A Big Yes, Company is the market leader in women's health medical devices for diagnostics, surgery, and medical imaging.
I was very impressed after understanding the Hologic 3Ps
"¢ PURPOSE "”to enable healthier lives everywhere, every day
"¢ PASSION to become global champions for women's health.
"¢ PROMISE to bring The Science of Sure® to life"
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Marcie Wilmot Reviewed the Above Answer
Great! It's wonderful that the company's values align with your own. Can you discuss more why these three values - purpose, passion, and promise - are meaningful to you?
User-Submitted Answer
"I conducted a great deal of research on your company before today. Stryker is a leader in medical technologies, and its mission to make healthcare better resonates with me. This is an exciting time in medicine, and I can't think of a better company to navigate new challenges and opportunities with than Stryker."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Chad Wilson Reviewed the Above Answer
You have taken a great approach to this question. It is clear you have researched the company in preparation for the interview, and you do well to reference Stryker's mission to make healthcare better. To strengthen this response and position yourself as a desirable candidate for the role, I suggest discussing how your personal and professional values align with those of the company (i.e. Integrity, Accountability, People, Performance).
User-Submitted Answer
"One thing I love about Hillrom and what is really important to me is how patient-centric they are. Patient care, and supporting health care professionals that provide that care is at the forefront of their focus. This is extremely important to me, that you aren't just selling a product you are selling an overall solution. They want you to take the time to understand your customers, and what we can do to best support them. They have always been innovators, structuring their developments/innovations based really around what is best for the patient. They care about their staff, they want them to grow and develop, and have fun at the same time. You want a working environment you feel safe and supported in and this is what Hillrom stands for."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Marcie Wilmot Reviewed the Above Answer
Nice! It sounds like this company is patient-focused, innovative, and supportive of its employees and their growth. Why is it so important to you that you're selling a solution instead of a product? Can you explain that further? Excellent response!
User-Submitted Answer
"I have always wanted a career in medicine because I love helping people and seeing the difference that I can make in their lives. Stryker's mission of "Together with our patients we make healthcare better" is a perfect example of the direction I want to take my career in."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Marcie Wilmot Reviewed the Above Answer
The interviewer will appreciate that you're aware of the company's mission. This shows that you've done your due diligence and are excited about the company and this role in particular. Great! What other values does the company espouse? Innovation? Compassion? Exceptional patient care? Consider mentioning more and reminding the interviewer that your own values are in alignment with theirs.
User-Submitted Answer
"Mission
Together with our customers, we are driven to make healthcare better.
Values
Integrity
We do what's right
Accountability
We do what we say
People
We grow talent
Performance
We deliver"
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Stephanie Cafaro Reviewed the Above Answer
You have clearly done your research on the values of this company. Now, take this research a step further. Your response should reflect whether the company's values align with your own values. For example, do you personally value accountability? Can you provide a specific example of a time when you embodied that value by showing accountability for your actions? Including this in your response will answer the question and show the interviewer important qualities that you'd bring to the company, if hired.
User-Submitted Answer
"I am drawn to the organization because the core values align with my personal values. People, Integrity, Accountability, Performance are top priorities in my personal life and are an important part of what I'm looking for in an organization that I hope to be with long term. Throughout the interview process, I have seen firsthand how Stryker focuses on people. In addition to the core values - the focus on innovation to improve patient outcomes is something I'm passionate about."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Stephanie Cafaro Reviewed the Above Answer
It's always exciting when you find a company with values that align with your own! To improve the impact of this response, I suggest providing a specific example of why one or more of Stryker's values are especially important to you.
User-Submitted Answer
"Absolutely. I was excited to see Stryker's top values include integrity, accountability, talent, and performance. In my personal and professional life, these are some of the top core values. I do what is right, I am accountable for my work, always looking to improve myself, and always achieving my goals. This all goes into doing what is right for the patient while improving the outcomes of healthcare."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Marcie Wilmot Reviewed the Above Answer
Excellent! It's apparent from your answer that you have researched the organization and understand its values, which the interviewer will appreciate. You also do a wonderful job of connecting these values to yourself. Great job!