How your values can help you find the right career

Our values, the things we hold most dearly, are unique to each of us. They influence the decisions we make, the people we surround ourselves with and, perhaps most importantly, how fulfilled we feel in our work.

The interesting thing about values is that they don't stay the same forever. As we move through different stages of life, they naturally evolve. Yet very few of us ever stop to review them.

When we're younger, our priorities may revolve around adventure, progression or financial security. Later in life, our focus may shift towards flexibility, family, wellbeing or making a meaningful contribution. Our circumstances change, and so do the things that matter most.

Without understanding your values, it can be difficult to understand why a job that once felt exciting no longer feels right. Equally, it can be hard to know what to look for next.

Your career values are personal

Your career values are closely connected to your personal values. After all, work doesn't exist in isolation. It sits alongside your relationships, health, family, ambitions and lifestyle.

Getting to know yourself better can help you understand what will encourage you to stay in a role, move into a new one or even take the leap into self-employment.

Many people assume they leave jobs because they lack the necessary skills. Sometimes that's true. More often, however, people leave because something no longer feels aligned.

Perhaps the organisation's culture no longer reflects your own beliefs. Maybe you're craving more flexibility, greater autonomy or the opportunity to make a bigger difference. None of these things says anything about your ability to do the job – they simply suggest your values and your working environment may no longer be a good fit.

This can be unsettling, particularly if you can't quite explain why you're unhappy. Understanding your values can often provide the missing piece of the puzzle.

Why values matter

Being clear about what's important to you provides a valuable guide whenever you're making decisions about your career.

Your values can help you to:

• stay motivated and focused
• make decisions with greater confidence
• recognise when something no longer feels right
• identify opportunities that are a better fit
• create a greater sense of fulfilment in your work.

Rather than asking, "What's the best job?", it can be more helpful to ask, "What's the best job for me?"

How to identify your values

If you're unsure what your values are, try reflecting on the times you've felt happiest and most fulfilled at work.

Ask yourself:

• When did I most enjoy my work?
• What was I doing?
• Who was I working with?
• What gave me energy?
• What frustrated me?
• What was missing?

You may begin to notice patterns emerging.

Perhaps you value creativity, independence, security, learning, helping others or having a healthy work-life balance.

There are no right or wrong answers. Your values simply reflect what's important to you at this stage of your life.

Examples of career values and needs

Our values often become clearer as our circumstances change.

For example, if you have a young family or are caring for elderly parents or relatives, achieving a healthy work-life balance may move from being something you'd like to have to something you genuinely need.

Flexible working may become more important than career progression. Equally, you may decide that making a positive contribution is now a priority and begin exploring opportunities within the charity, voluntary or public sectors.

Other common career values include:

• feeling appreciated and valued
• having autonomy and making your own decisions
• continuing to learn and develop
• leading or supporting other people
• having variety in your work
• working collaboratively
• financial security
• creativity and innovation.

The list is different for everyone, and that's exactly the point.

Living your values

Once you've identified your values, use them as a compass rather than a rigid set of rules.

When a new opportunity presents itself, ask yourself:

"How well does this fit with what's important to me?"

If one of your values is work-life balance, how well does the role support that?

If you're passionate about sustainability, does the organisation's approach align with your beliefs?

The more your work reflects your values, the more likely you are to feel engaged, motivated and fulfilled.

Values change – and that's OK

One of the biggest misconceptions about values is that once you've identified them, they'll stay the same forever.

In reality, they evolve as we do.

That's why it's worth revisiting them from time to time, particularly if you're feeling restless, considering a career change or questioning your next step.

Sometimes the problem isn't your job.

Sometimes it's simply that you've changed.

Taking the time to understand your values won't tell you exactly what to do next, but it will give you something far more valuable – a clearer understanding of what matters most to you. And when you know that, making career decisions often becomes much easier.