Career Clarity

Work Values: what you need from a job to feel motivated

Values are different from interests (what you like) and skills (what you’re good at). Values guide choices, trade-offs, and when to stay or leave. They can change as your life changes.

Take the Work Values Test See the six values

What are work values?

Work values are the things you need from a job to feel motivated and satisfied — the reasons why work feels good (or drains you). They are different from interests (what you like doing) and skills (what you’re good at). Values guide choices, trade-offs, and when to stay or leave. They can change as your life changes.

The six work values we measure

Achievement

Reaching goals and seeing real results.

Fits: roles with clear targets, measurable impact, hard problems.

Independence

Freedom to choose how and when you work.

Fits: self-directed projects, flexible methods, trust over micromanagement.

Recognition

Being noticed, rewarded, and able to move up.

Fits: visible contributions, leadership paths, bonuses and awards.

Relationships

Helping people and working well with others.

Fits: teamwork, mentoring, client care, community impact.

Support

Good guidance, clear rules, training, feedback.

Fits: stable organizations, coaching managers, defined processes.

Working Conditions

Pay, safety, hours, location, balance.

Fits: predictable schedules, fair pay and benefits, safe equipment, flexibility.

Why values matter

They predict day-to-day motivation and long-term fit.
They explain friction (for example: high independence + low autonomy → frustration).
They help you compare offers and design roles that actually suit you.

Quick self-check (1 minute)

Pick your Top 3 values. For each, ask:

Where did I feel this most in past work or school?
What was missing when I felt stuck?
What trade-off am I willing — and not willing — to make?

Interview questions to test fit

Achievement: “How is success measured in this role?”
Independence: “How much freedom will I have in planning my work?”
Recognition: “How are achievements recognized or rewarded here?”
Relationships: “How do teams collaborate and give feedback?”
Support: “What training and coaching will I get in the first 90 days?”
Working Conditions: “What do typical hours and flexibility look like?”

Red flags

Vague or shifting goals (Achievement).
Tight control over methods (Independence).
No path to growth or feedback (Recognition / Support).
Isolated or competitive culture (Relationships).
Unclear hours or unsafe setup (Working Conditions).

Take the Work Values Test