Work Values

TIP: It may be helpful to download this page and print it out, so you can write on it more easily.

As you begin to map your career, it’s important to consider your personal work values—things like independence, compensation, or variety. Nobody can tell you what to choose—only you know what’s most important. Knowing your values can help you understand the types of work that will give you the most fulfillment in your career.

For each of the values below, decide which statement you agree with most strongly. There are no right or wrong answers, only food for thought as you explore the industries and careers that interest you.

I PREFER COFFEE

I PREFER TEA

EXAMPLE

I LIKE BEING A PART OF A LARGER PROCESS

I DO MY BEST WORK WHEN I HAVE A LOT OF DIRECTION

I PREFER TO WORK WITH OTHER PEOPLE

I FEEL PRIDE IN MY WORK EVEN WHEN NO ONE NOTICES

I LIKE TO KEEP MY WORK AND SOCIAL LIFE SEPARATE

I FIND MORE MEANING IN OTHER PARTS OF WORK

I PREFER MY WORK TO FALL INTO SET PROCEDURES

I PREFER TO NAVIGATE THE WORKPLACE ON MY OWN

I'M WILLING TO SACRIFICE SOME MONEY FOR OTHER VALUES

I LIKE TO SEE THE RESULTS OF MY WORK

I DO MY BEST WORK WHEN I MAKE MY OWN DECISIONS

I PREFER TO WORK ALONE

I LIKE TO FEEL RECOGNIZED WHEN I DO A GOOD JOB

I WANT TO BE FRIENDS WITH MY CO-WORKERS

I NEED A MANAGER WHO HAS MY BACK IN THE WORKPLACE

IT'S IMPORTANT THAT I HAVE OPPORTUNITIES TO BE CREATIVE

I LIKE HAVING A VARIETY OF TASKS TO COMPLETE

IT'S IMPORTANT THAT I MAKE AS MUCH MONEY AS I CAN

ACHIEVEMENT

RESPONSIBILITY

AUTONOMY

RECOGNITION

RELATIONSHIPS

SOCIAL SERVICE

CREATIVITY

SUPPORT

COMPENSATION

I FIND MEANING IN WORK THAT HELPS PEOPLE DIRECTLY

VARIETY

I LIKE FOCUSING ON A FEW SPECIFIC TASKS

NEXT STEPS

MORE RESOURCES

WHAT DO I DO NEXT?