WORK VALUES INVENTORY

Donald Super

The statements below represent values which people consider important in their work. These are satisfactions
which people often seek in their jobs or as a result of their jobs. They are not all considered equally
important; some are very important to some people but of little importance to others. Read each statement
carefully and indicate how important it is to you.
_________________________________________________________________________________________
5 means “Very Important”
4 means “Important”
3 means “Moderately Important”
2 means “Of Little Importance”
1 means “Unimportant”
_________________________________________________________________________________________

WORK IN WHICH YOU: CIRCLE ONE

1. have to keep solving problems 5 4 3 2 1

2. help others 5 4 3 2 1

3. can get a raise 5 4 3 2 1

4. look forward to changes in your job 5 4 3 2 1

5. have freedom in your area 5 4 3 2 1

6. gain prestige in your field 5 4 3 2 1

7. need to have artistic ability 5 4 3 2 1

8. are one of the gang 5 4 3 2 1

9. know your job will last 5 4 3 2 1

10. can be the kind of person you would like to be 5 4 3 2 1

11. have a boss who gives you a fair deal 5 4 3 2 1

12. like the setting in which your work is done 5 4 3 2 1

13. get the feeling of having done a good day’s work 5 4 3 2 1

14. have the authority over others 5 4 3 2 1

15. try out new ideas and suggestions 5 4 3 2 1

16. create something new 5 4 3 2 1

17. know by the results when you’ve done a good job 5 4 3 2 1

18. have a boss who is reasonable 5 4 3 2 1

20. add beauty to the world 5 4 3 2 1

21. make your own decisions 5 4 3 2 1

22. have pay increases that keep up with the cost of living 5 4 3 2 1

23. are mentally challenged 5 4 3 2 1

24. use leadership abilities 5 4 3 2 1

25. have adequate lounge, toilet and other facilities 5 4 3 2 1

26. have a way of life, while not on the job, that you like 5 4 3 2 1

27. form friendships with your fellow employees 5 4 3 2 1

28. know that others consider your work important 5 4 3 2 1

29. do not do the same thing all the time 5 4 3 2 1

30. feel you have helped another person 5 4 3 2 1

31. add to the well-being of other people 5 4 3 2 1

32. do many different things 5 4 3 2 1

33. are looked up to by others 5 4 3 2 1

34. have good connections with fellow workers 5 4 3 2 1

35. lead the kind of life you most enjoy 5 4 3 2 1

36. have a good place in which to work (quiet, calm, etc.) 5 4 3 2 1

37. plan and organize the work of others 5 4 3 2 1

38. need to be mentally alert 5 4 3 2 1

39. are paid enough to live very well 5 4 3 2 1

40. are your own boss 5 4 3 2 1

41. make attractive products 5 4 3 2 1

42. are sure of another job in the company if your present job ends 5 4 3 2 1

43. have a supervisor who is considerate 5 4 3 2 1

44. see the result of your efforts 5 4 3 2 1

45. contribute new ideas 5 4 3 2 1

15, 16, 45 CREATIVITY: work which permits one to invent new things, design new
-----,-----,-----= --10--- products, or develop new ideas.

14, 24, 37 MANAGEMENT: work which permits one to plan and lay out work for
-----,-----,-----= --12--- others.

13, 17, 44 ACHIEVEMENT: work which gives one the feeling of accomplishment in
-----,-----,-----= --10--- doing a job well.

12, 25, 36 SURROUNDINGS: work which is carried out under pleasant conditions-
-----,-----,-----= --10--- not too hot or too cold, noisy, dirty, etc.

11, 18, 43 SUPERVISORY RELATIONSHIPS: work which is carried out under a

10, 26, 35 WAY OF LIFE: work that permits one to live the kind of life he/she
-----,-----,-----= --14--- chooses and to be the type of person he/she wishes to be.

9, 19, 42 SECURITY: work which provides one with the certainty of having a job
-----,-----,-----= --9--- even in hard times.

8, 27, 34 ASSOCIATES: work which brings one into contact with fellow workers
-----,-----,-----= --6--- whom you like.

7, 20, 41 AESTHETIC: work which permits one to make beautiful things and to
-----,-----,-----= --3--- contribute beauty to the world.

6, 28, 33 PRESTIGE: work which gives one standing on the eyes of others and
-----,-----,-----= --7--- evokes respect.

5, 21, 40 INDEPENDENCE: work which permits one to work in his/her own way,
-----,-----,-----= --10--- as fast or slow as he/she wishes.

4, 29, 32 VARIETY: work which provides an opportunity to do different types of

3, 22, 39 ECONOMIC RETURN: work which pays well and enables one to have
-----,-----,-----= --15--- the things he/she wants.

2, 30, 31 ALTRUISM: work which enables one to contribute to the welfare of

1, 23, 38 INTELLECTUAL STIMULATION: work which provides opportunity for

SCORE TOTALS:
1–3 is Unimportant 10 – 12 is Important
4–6 is Of Little Importance 13 – 15 is Very Important
7–9 is Moderately Important