Career Values

A guide to discovering career direction

In the 21st century, people seek fulfilment and purpose in their careers, as well as alignment with the “greater-than-self” needs of family, community, humanity and the planet.

We’ve created a framework of key principles that contribute to successful careers, along with a questionnaire to help individuals identify and reflect on their own values.

  • Understand what motivates you
  • Embrace your unique working style
  • Recognise the best environment for you
  • Align your career with your values
Take the QuestionnaireTake the Questionnaire

For more in-depth information on the methodology and background, please download our guide.

Download the GuideDownload the Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

Answer eight questions contained in the TypeForm questionnaire relating to your work preferences, by selecting the career value describing words that best suit your view of each aspect of your career.

The value, described in a word will resonate strongly with you.

You may react positively to this value.

Do you find yourself connected to others with this value?

Would having this value to look forward to help to get you out of bed in the morning?

Do you look up to others with this value?

Do you feel pleased/proud to hold this value?

Are you energised by this value?

One easy way to understand whether a value is real and important for you is to think about how you would feel (or have felt in the past) WITHOUT it – if it wasn’t present in your work/environment. If you experience an emotional response (angry, sad, lost, bereft) then this value is real.

 

E.g. I was hired into a consulting role, which didn’t work out. I couldn’t access my values – some of which were: connection – it was not a client facing role and I was ‘desk bound’,  creativity – I was following a process, doing repetitive work, not developing anything new, competence – this was hugely impacted – I felt a severe lack of competence as I wasn’t involved enough in the aspects of the work I most enjoy, I was doing the work I was least good at! I learned that I need to honour those values to be good at what I am doing. Chief Coach, Career Partner & Co.

No, this is a self-guided thinking exercise, career values are not devised or given to the participant – they are perceived and selected by the participant, as they think of what is specifically most important to them. Clearly there are no right or wrong answers!

Career Values consists of 48 values, which participants can choose from, or they can contribute their own version value describing word. (It is envisioned that the 48 values will develop, change, and flex over time to meet the interests and assessments of participants and as participants contribute their own values).
Career Values can be divided into extrinsic values – values that afford tangible benefit to the individual – e.g. security, importance, power, recognition, salary, and intrinsic values – the values that create an internal positive state e.g. knowledge, excellence, freedom, contribution The Values described in Career Values are mostly intrinsic – deliberately weighted this way – as intrinsic values are the biggest differentiators for career success, fulfilment, and wellbeing. More extrinsic values are key motivators and must haves for many people, but are less effective at supporting resilience, wellbeing, and career sustainability.

You could run through it quickly in less than 15 minutes, but it is good to take a little more time and really think deeply about what is important to you. And as you read each of the value describing words, keep asking yourself is there anything else that’s really  important to me? Was there a word you were waiting for, to come up on the list?

It is likely that some of the most intrinsic values – which may describe an inherent talent e.g. creativity, peaceful mind, learning, will always remain a value throughout the course of a career.

What you value most in your working environment and way of working, the concepts, and ideas that you adhere to, will otherwise change throughout your career. E.g. at career outset, some of the values you care about most may be learning, collaboration, structure, competence. Midway through your career you may be more likely to select knowledge, professionalism, sharing expertise, whilst at an advanced career stage autonomy, significance, and contribution may feature.

“Working hard for something we don’t care about is called stress. Working hard for something we love is called passion” Simon Sinek

That’s why we need CAREER VALUES, The Career Partner & Co

Career Values Questionnaire