In our quest for career success, we often chase after job titles and salary figures, overlooking a vital element of professional fulfilment - our career values. Have you ever found yourself dissatisfied in a job, unsure about your career path, or frequently changing professions? Your career values might be the missing link, exerting a significant impact on your job satisfaction and advancement prospects. To make well-informed decisions about your career, it's imperative to understand and align with your core career values.
Determining Your Career Values
So, what exactly are career values? Simply put, they serve as your navigational compass in the professional world, guiding you toward a fulfilling career. According to Himani Mathreja, a seasoned Sr HR Generalist, these values are akin to personal principles, reflecting your preferences, purpose, and the direction you desire for your career journey.
Himani notes, ‘Everyone's career values are different because we all have unique preferences at work. For instance, if you thrive on collaboration, enjoy a flexible schedule, and cherish independence in your job, values like creativity, flexibility, and autonomy may resonate with you. On the flip side, someone else may prioritize high-level challenges and opportunities for success.’
Understanding your career values is pivotal when assessing your current job satisfaction and contemplating your future career path. According to Himani, these values fall into three primary categories: intrinsic, extrinsic, and lifestyle values, each influencing your career decisions and job satisfaction.
Intrinsic Values
Intrinsic career values are those aspects of your work that hold personal significance, independent of external rewards like pay or recognition. These values often align with your work style preferences, igniting your motivation:
Fostering Creativity: The opportunity to innovate and tackle diverse challenges can be a powerful motivator.
Embracing Diversity and Variety: Thriving in an environment with variety and diverse experiences may resonate with you.
Experiencing Respect and Appreciation: Feeling valued and respected for your contributions is essential for job satisfaction.
Continuous Learning: An environment that encourages ongoing learning and growth may be essential to your career fulfillment.
Taking on Challenging Tasks: Tackling demanding and stimulating tasks may fuel your sense of accomplishment.
Extrinsic Values
Extrinsic career values revolve around external rewards you receive for your work. While they may not provide a sense of purpose, they can still be motivated due to their tangible nature:
Generous Salary: Competitive compensation is a significant external motivator.
Comprehensive Benefits: Health benefits, flexible work arrangements, and unlimited vacation days can enhance motivation.
Job Security: A stable and secure career path can boost overall job satisfaction.
Promotions: The prospect of career advancement and recognition is appealing to many professionals.
Lifestyle Values
Lifestyle career values encompass factors that influence your quality of life beyond work, defining your work-life balance and overall fulfilment:
Proximity to Work: Living close to your workplace can enhance your daily life.
Climate Preferences: Choosing to live in a warm climate may align with your lifestyle values.
Urban Living: Opting for a metropolitan lifestyle may be essential to your overall satisfaction.
In essence, these values form the bedrock of your professional identity, shaping your career choices and overall job satisfaction.
Unearthing Your Career Values
‘Discovering your career values is a deeply personal journey, influenced by your unique professional experiences.’, says Mathreja.
Here's a structured approach to help you identify your values through six distinct steps:
1. Recall Your Career Journey: Reflect on your past professional experiences, considering aspects that brought fulfillment and challenges.
2. Interpret Your Experiences: Analyse these experiences to discern the values that defined them, providing insights into your preferences.
3. Conduct a Self-Examination: Perform a self-assessment using a list of potential values, marking those that resonate with you.
4. Narrow Down Your Priorities: Distill your choices to a core set of five to ten values that are most important to you.
5. Personalise Value Definitions: Define your chosen values in terms of your personal needs and preferences, recognizing their specific impact on your daily work.
6. Rank Values by Significance: Arrange your values in descending order of importance, facilitating a clear understanding of their impact on your career choices.
By diligently navigating these six steps, you pave the way for a career path that aligns with your core values, enhancing your professional journey with fulfillment and purpose.