Single Blog

While a high salary can be appealing, many digital marketing professionals seek more from their job.

They want to work for a company that aligns with their core values, such as sustainability, diversity, and inclusion, while also prioritizing employee wellbeing and investing in long-term career growth, not just filling a role.

In addition to shared values and ethics, finding a company with a culture that resonates is equally important. This is especially crucial when you consider that the average U.S. adult spends around 90,000 hours at work — about one-third of their life!

So, how can you find a company that embraces the values you care about and offers a culture where you’ll thrive?

The first step is to gain a clear understanding of the company you’re thinking about joining.

Start by reviewing the company’s mission, vision, and core values, which are often available on their website and in marketing materials like annual reports. These documents should give you insight into the company’s commitment to ethics, social responsibility, and long-term goals.

For example, IKEA’s website provides a clear overview of its business objectives and values, outlining the company’s ethos in a transparent way.

Employer review sites provide valuable insight into what past and current employees think about a company.

Platforms like Glassdoor and Indeed feature employee reviews and ratings, while The Muse offers career and job search advice. Comparably allows you to compare companies, brands, and salaries, and Vault ranks employers based on annual surveys of employees and interns.

These resources can help you assess whether a company truly upholds its values, particularly in areas like work-life balance, inclusion, and transparency. It’s also worth exploring company policies on parental leave, mental health support, and flexible work arrangements.

Pro tip: Look for videos, blog posts, or social media posts where employees share their experiences working at a company. Behind-the-scenes (BTS) content can offer valuable insights—for example, Innocent Drinks frequently showcases its employees and office culture across social media.

LinkedIn is a powerful platform for connecting with peers, marketing leaders, and expanding your professional network.

When you visit a company’s LinkedIn page, the ‘People’ tab provides insights into current employees, including their locations, fields of study, and roles within the company.

You’ll also find a ‘People You May Know’ section, which suggests profiles based on your existing connections. LinkedIn categorizes them as first- or second-degree connections, making it easier to request introductions through mutual contacts and grow your network strategically.

If you’re a LinkedIn Premium member, you can take advantage of this feature to connect with current or former employees, gain insights into their roles and experiences, and ask about company culture, leadership, and the work environment.

Employee advocacy is another key factor to consider. Are employees actively engaging with the company on social media? Do they share company posts and contribute positively to discussions? High levels of employee engagement suggest a strong workplace culture where employees are willing to promote and support the company’s messaging.

Understanding a company’s leadership team is key to gaining insight into how they make decisions and shape workplace culture.

You can easily identify a company’s C-suite through a quick online search, LinkedIn, or media coverage. These sources can also provide details on their professional background, previous roles, and board memberships.

A leader’s values often reflect the company’s stance on ethics, collaboration, and transparency, helping you gauge whether their priorities align with yours.

Pro Tip: Stay informed by subscribing to industry publications like Marketing Week, AdWeek, or Advertising Age. These resources track senior executives and offer valuable insights into their roles, companies, and teams.

Companies with strong values are increasingly investing in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to create a positive impact on society, people, and the planet.

The initiatives a company supports—both financially and through employee engagement—can help you determine if their values align with yours.

Here are some common CSR initiatives:

• Supporting nonprofits or charities through employee volunteering and fundraising

• Reducing carbon footprints and cutting emissions

• Engaging in community projects like beach cleanups or tree planting

• Partnering with local businesses by hosting events or booking venues

• Ensuring ethical supply chains through fair trade initiatives and worker protections

• Promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion policies

• Offering work-life balance programs, unpaid leave, or sabbaticals

Example: Food giant Kellogg’s demonstrates its commitment to CSR by offering £1,000 breakfast grants to UK schools each year, helping feed children in need.

Landing the perfect job is just the beginning—planning for your long-term career growth is just as important. A key part of this is assessing the learning and development opportunities available.

For many professionals, career development is just as valuable as salary. In fact, a Docebo survey found that 66% of workers would consider leaving their job within a year if learning and development programs were cut.

Companies that invest in training—whether in-person or online—mentorship, and career progression prioritize employee growth and satisfaction. They see new hires as future leaders, not just as people filling a role.

Pro Tip: Apply for the job you want, but also for the one that will equip you with the skills to take the next step in your career. The average tenure for marketing professionals is now just 1–2 years—gone are the days of a lifelong job with a gold watch at the end! says Payne.

The way we work has evolved dramatically in recent years. The traditional 9-to-5 office routine is no longer the norm, as many employees now seek flexibility to maintain a healthy work-life balance.

For many professionals, this means having the option to work remotely or in a hybrid setup when the role allows. With powerful management and communication tools like Slack and Monday, marketing professionals can thrive in flexible work environments.

A recent UK YouGov poll found that 48% of working adults want more job flexibility, with better work-life balance cited as the top reason (62%). Other benefits of hybrid work include increased efficiency, greater freedom, and reduced burnout.

If flexibility is a priority for you, be sure to assess a company’s stance on remote and hybrid work when considering potential employers.

A digital marketing certification is one of the quickest and most effective ways to break into the digital industry. The DMI Certified Professional Diploma in Digital Marketing will equip you with the essential skills, including how to use AI in your marketing efforts and develop key soft skills. You’ll also dive into critical channels like email marketing, social media, SEO, content marketing, and more, enabling you to execute successful campaigns across various industries.