How much do you consider the company's purpose when going through the job hunt? I constantly analyze each company, but I feel that makes it harder to write a cover letter or even spend the time applying to companies if I feel the slightest hesitation about working there. I wouldn't be okay with applying to 30+ companies where I feel eh about but less than 10 that I actually anticipate getting a reply back from doesn't make the odds in my favor either.
I optimize for my needs first. My most potent mechanism for doing good in the world is personal power (approximated by possession of money, goods, and relationships).
For many job descriptions, it is exceedingly difficult to determine the ethical impact of one's career work. If I write a chunk of software today, its effect on the world lies on the other side of business decisions, interactions among corporations, a significant amount of time, and a great deal of random chance (to name just a few variables). Contrast this to the ethical impact of pocketing an extra $10k so that I have the flexibility to help a friend in need, or take a week off to volunteer. Even if my career work has a greater impact, I have no way of knowing that.
Obviously the degree of certainty about a job's affect on the world varies. Helping build an app that enables stalking is clearly bad. Tweaking a web page to increase checkout conversion by 0.05% is less ethically stark.
The personal impact of how I feel about the company's mission is important. Henry commented that he sought greater fulfillment by changing jobs. A feeling of fulfillment is important to me for two reasons: 1) that feeling increases energy, productivity, and thus personal power; and 2) that feeling is itself good and valuable. But I have to keep in mind that a bigger paycheck can create a sense of fulfillment if I use it for good ends - that must be weighed against the fulfillment of the work itself.
The word "power" carries strong negative connotations, probably because we hear it so often alongside "abuse," "corruption," and "oppression." But for those reading this comment, I think power is a good thing. We obviously have a desire to live ethically and at least a few tools to determine what is and is not ethical: why not accumulate the ability to act on those good intentions?
Senior App Dev @ Acuity Brands Lighting | Co-Founder of https://ct3dao.io | President of https://NewHaven.IO | Maintainer of https://TechEnthusiastScholarship.com | https://HenryGives.Coffee
Location
New Haven, CT
Education
Computer Network & Information Security @ Champlain College
I actually focused my entire last job hunt around this. After four years of working for the feds, I wanted my next job to actually be fulfilling (both from a work and social responsibility perspective).
Interviewed a few recruiters, picked one who knew what they were talking about, and told her exactly what I wanted. She found me a few great options and the interviews I took with them told me everything I needed to know about their cultures.
Applied to a few, got offers from a couple, and chose one.
Definitely narrowed the field but that can be a good thing.
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How much do you consider the company's purpose when going through the job hunt? I constantly analyze each company, but I feel that makes it harder to write a cover letter or even spend the time applying to companies if I feel the slightest hesitation about working there. I wouldn't be okay with applying to 30+ companies where I feel eh about but less than 10 that I actually anticipate getting a reply back from doesn't make the odds in my favor either.
I love this question.
I optimize for my needs first. My most potent mechanism for doing good in the world is personal power (approximated by possession of money, goods, and relationships).
For many job descriptions, it is exceedingly difficult to determine the ethical impact of one's career work. If I write a chunk of software today, its effect on the world lies on the other side of business decisions, interactions among corporations, a significant amount of time, and a great deal of random chance (to name just a few variables). Contrast this to the ethical impact of pocketing an extra $10k so that I have the flexibility to help a friend in need, or take a week off to volunteer. Even if my career work has a greater impact, I have no way of knowing that.
Obviously the degree of certainty about a job's affect on the world varies. Helping build an app that enables stalking is clearly bad. Tweaking a web page to increase checkout conversion by 0.05% is less ethically stark.
The personal impact of how I feel about the company's mission is important. Henry commented that he sought greater fulfillment by changing jobs. A feeling of fulfillment is important to me for two reasons: 1) that feeling increases energy, productivity, and thus personal power; and 2) that feeling is itself good and valuable. But I have to keep in mind that a bigger paycheck can create a sense of fulfillment if I use it for good ends - that must be weighed against the fulfillment of the work itself.
The word "power" carries strong negative connotations, probably because we hear it so often alongside "abuse," "corruption," and "oppression." But for those reading this comment, I think power is a good thing. We obviously have a desire to live ethically and at least a few tools to determine what is and is not ethical: why not accumulate the ability to act on those good intentions?
I actually focused my entire last job hunt around this. After four years of working for the feds, I wanted my next job to actually be fulfilling (both from a work and social responsibility perspective).
Interviewed a few recruiters, picked one who knew what they were talking about, and told her exactly what I wanted. She found me a few great options and the interviews I took with them told me everything I needed to know about their cultures.
Applied to a few, got offers from a couple, and chose one.
Definitely narrowed the field but that can be a good thing.