Why Do Career Values Matter?
Getting What You Want By Clarifying What You Value
Your values can help you to make effective career choices, but only if you know what they are. Learn why they matter and discover some of the most common values below.
As you consider your career options, you'll be advised to pay close attention to your values. But, just what is a value and why does it have to do with career exploration?
A value is something that you hold dear which drives your behavior and motivates your actions. Values matter precisely because they do so: once you know what is important to you, you also then know how to achieve it. By naming your core values, you will gain valuable insight into which industries and positions are most likely to fit you like a glove.
To give you some examples to consider, here are some fairly common values:
- commitment
- justice
- fairness
- equality
- integrity
- love
- caring
- unity
- diversity
- openness
- communication
- independence
- freedom
- challenge
- variety
- contribution
- making a difference
- listening
- caring
- attention to detail
- punctuality
- professionalism
- safety
- ethics
- peace
- order
- teamwork
- serenity
- calm
- prestige
- reputation
- synergy
- pluralism
- creativity
You may notice that many of these values seem similar. That's because they are. The word that best describes my value may not be the same as the one you choose. Most people like to play with the wording of the value and name it in a way that reflects its true meaning for them. So if contribution doesn't cut it for you, but making a difference does, then use the latter. These are your values, so name them what you will, with one exception.
It's important to recognize that some things you may name as values are not values at all, but masks that hide a cluster of values. You know something is a mask rather than a value if it's a means rather than an ends. If you want it for itself, then it's a value. But if you want it to secure something else for yourself, it's not a value but a means to living a value.
For example, money is a great values mask. Most people don't want money for itself; that is, they don't want money just to have money. They want money to get something else: independence, freedom, self-protection and the like. Hence, the mask called money is covering up the true values of independence, freedom, and self-protection. Some other common values masks include security, travel and benefits. You will need to unmask your values at some point to make sure you are valuing the ends you desire most rather than the means you prefer to use to realize them.
For now, consider the list of common values described above and think about your values. What matters most to you?
