Work & Values Questionnaire
Our values and needs are likely to change over time. What seems important to you at this stage
in your life may give way to other concerns later. However, it may be that your personal values
are important to your career thinking now.
Values are about how you feel about things or what you think is important. They don’t
necessarily influence your ability to do something, but rather whether you feel comfortable doing
it. They may say something about the type of work you will find rewarding.
Some types of work clearly fit with certain values, and some employers/organisations/contexts
also fit with certain values. Use the exercise below to help you think about your values.
How important are each of the following factors in a job?
Rate each one on a scale of 1 to 6, where 6 = it is extremely important for me, and 1 = largely unimportant for me.
PLEASE GO TO NEXT SHEET FOR QUESTIONS
Item Value Rating 1 to 6
1 I can get ahead in my career
2 I can help people to cope better with their lives
3 There is a high financial reward
4 Job security is guaranteed
5 I can work independently of others
6 I can do things which involve some risk
7 I can enjoy high social status
8 There is quite a bit of travel involved
9 I can enjoy my place of work
10 I can do work that is socially useful
11 I can develop new ideas or products
12 There is little work-related stress
13 People respect me for my position
14 There is plenty of scope for advancement
15 There are new challenges and ventures
16 Things are left entirely to my own judgement
17 There is a pleasant working environment
18 I am in charge of other people
19 I can work as part of a team
20 I can be creative or inventive
21 A very good standard of living is possible
22 There are friendly people around me
23 There is a lot of variety in what I do
24 I have the authority to get things done
25 I want my employer to recognise my achievements
26 I want to become recognised as an expert in my field
27 I am looking for flexibility in the tasks that I do
28 I am keen to lead other people
29 The location of my work is important to me
30 I would like stability in my working life
Code (for scoring on next page)
A
SU
E
SE
I
R
P
V
EN
SU
C
SE
P
A
R
I
EN
AU
S
C
E
S
V
AU
A
P
V
AU
EN
SE
AVERAGE SCORE
A – Advancement Score 0
* Upward mobility and promotion
* More interesting work
S – Social Score 0
* Friendly contact with workmates
* Attending to and talking with people
E – Economic Score 0
* High salary and financial rewards
SE – Security Score 0
* Job stability and a regular income
* No threat to economic or social well-being
I – Independence Score 0
*Autonomy - freedom to make decisions and take the initiative
P – Prestige Score 0
* Being seen in an important role
* Social, economic or occupational status
V – Variety Score 0
* Change and variety in task and place of work
* The opportunity to train
En – Environment Score 0
* Pleasant physical surroundings
SU – Support Score 0
* Helping people
* Work of social or community value
C – Creative Score 0
* Being original and dealing with new ideas
* Finding different solutions to problems
* Creating new products or services
R – Risk Score 0
* An element of uncertainty
* Financial and others kinds of risk
AU – Authority Score 0
* Influence and control over other people
* Leading others and making decisions
