WORK VALUES INVENTORY
Values are an important part in the career decision-making process. It is important to select
career options, which best fit your values. The list below will help you identify those values
that you think will be important to you in your work. Your work values may change as work
situations change. It is important to evaluate your work values often.
Read each value and decide if it is always important to you, sort of important or not important
to you. Place an “X” in the appropriate box. The definition is there to help you think about the
value. If your definition is different, use your own definition when rating the value. Review the
“Always Important” values and choose your top five values.
[Link] core values that are important to me in my life are: Always Sort of Not
Important Important Important
Achievement: Being able to meet your goals
Balance: Time for family, work, and play
Independence: Control of your own destiny
Influence: Able to have an impact on others
Integrity: Stand up for your beliefs
Honesty: Telling the truth and knowing that others are
telling the truth.
Power: Control over others
Respect: Care and trust of self and others
Spirituality: Believing in your core beliefs
Status: Having influence and power over others
1. I value work environments that are : Always Sort of Not
Important Important Important
Fast Paced: Work that has many things happening at the
same time.
Flexible: Work that is not set to a specific time schedule.
High Earnings: Work that has the potential to make a lot
of money.
Learning: Work that is intellectually challenging to you.
Location: Work that is in a convenient place and an easy
commute.
Predictable: Work where you know what is going to happen
day after day.
Quiet: Work where there are few disruptions throughout
the day
Relaxed: Work where there are few pressures to get
things done.
Structured: Work where it is organized and has a specific
set time.
Time Freedom: Work where you set your own schedule and
plan how and when you do your work.
Adapted from Work Values Inventory form created by the Regional Occupational Program of the Santa Cruz County Office of Education, 400 Encinal Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060