5 Steps to Align Career with Personal Values
Align your career with your personal values through a structured five-step process that promotes job satisfaction and personal growth.
Finding a career that aligns with your personal values leads to better job satisfaction, reduced stress, and meaningful growth. Here’s how you can do it in 5 clear steps:
- Define Your Values: Use tools like the Valued Living Questionnaire (VLQ) or Personal Values Assessment (PVA) to identify and prioritize your core values, such as creativity, autonomy, or work-life balance.
- Evaluate Your Current Job: Assess how well your job aligns with your values by examining tasks, workplace culture, and growth opportunities. Spot gaps and areas for improvement.
- Explore Value-Aligned Careers: Research companies and industries that match your values. Look at mission statements, employee reviews, and CSR programs. Use tools like Myers-Briggs or Career Personality Profiler to refine your options.
- Create a Change Plan: Set SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) to guide your transition. Build new skills and prepare for the switch.
- Take Action and Track Progress: Update your resume, network purposefully, and monitor your progress monthly. Seek mentors to stay motivated and aligned with your goals.
Quick Tip: Regularly assess your career path to ensure it stays in sync with your values and long-term aspirations.
Aligning Values With Your Career: Step By Step Guide
Step 1: Define Your Personal Values
Understanding your core values is the first step toward aligning your career with what truly matters to you. Think of these values as your guiding principles for making decisions that fit both your personal and professional goals.
Tools to Identify Your Values
There are tools available to help you pinpoint your values. For example, the Valued Living Questionnaire (VLQ) assesses your priorities across areas like career, personal growth, work-life balance, and social contributions. Another option is the Personal Values Assessment (PVA), which helps you rank your values and create a focused plan for your career.
Examples of Workplace Values
Here are some common workplace values to consider:
- Autonomy: Having the freedom to make your own decisions
- Creativity: Opportunities to bring fresh ideas and solutions
- Security: A stable job with clear growth opportunities
- Impact: Contributing to something meaningful
- Growth: Ongoing learning and skill development
How to Prioritize Your Values
When ranking your values, ask yourself:
- Which values influence your most important decisions?
- Do these values align with your long-term career goals?
- Which values are non-negotiable, even if it means turning down certain opportunities?
If you need extra help with this process, platforms like Upskillist offer courses to guide professionals in identifying and aligning their values with their career aspirations [2].
Once you’ve nailed down your values, the next step is to assess how well they align with your current job.
Step 2: Review Your Current Job
Now that you've identified your core values, it's time to see how well your current job matches up with them. This step will help you figure out if your role supports what truly matters to you - or if it clashes with those priorities.
Job Satisfaction Check
Take a closer look at your daily work life. Think about these areas:
- Daily Tasks: Do your responsibilities excite you, or do they leave you feeling drained?
- Work Environment: Is the workplace culture in sync with your values?
- Professional Growth: Are there opportunities that align with your personal goals?
- Impact: Does your work make a difference in the areas you care about?
Pay extra attention to the tasks or situations that consistently light you up - or frustrate you. These moments can reveal whether your job aligns with your values or not.
Spotting Gaps Between Values and Work
After evaluating your satisfaction, look for specific areas where your job feels out of sync with what you value most. For example, if you thrive on creativity but your role is all about following rigid processes, there's a clear disconnect.
"Aligning your personal values with your professional path is an essential aspect of maintaining integrity and satisfaction in the workplace." - Ginny Clarke, Author of Career Mapping Workbook [1]
To dig deeper into these gaps, ask yourself:
| Area to Examine | Questions to Ask |
|---|---|
| Company Culture | Does the organization's mission reflect what you stand for? |
| Work Environment | Do your workplace relationships and routines align with your values? |
| Growth Opportunities | Does your career path support your long-term goals and aspirations? |
Assess Your Skills
Take stock of your current skills. Which ones do you love but rarely get to use? Are there skills you could develop to bridge the gaps between your job and your values? And are there areas where additional training could open up new paths?
If you notice major disconnects, consider learning platforms like Upskillist, which offer courses to help you build skills for a more fulfilling career [2]. For example, leadership training might be useful if you value making a difference, or creative courses could help if you want work that feels more dynamic.
Set clear boundaries based on your values and create a plan to address any gaps. Once you've done this, you're ready to start exploring roles that better fit your priorities.
Step 3: Find Value-Matching Careers
Aligning Careers with Your Values
Did you know that 71% of professionals are willing to take a pay cut to work for a company that shares their values? [1] Finding a career that aligns with your personal values can lead to greater satisfaction and purpose in your work. Platforms like LinkedIn can help you discover companies that emphasize qualities like work-life balance or diversity. Pay attention to mission statements, employee feedback, and corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs to ensure they align with what matters most to you.
Here are some areas to focus on when evaluating potential employers:
| Area to Explore | Key Details to Look For |
|---|---|
| Company Mission | Clear purpose and alignment with your values |
| Employee Reviews | Insights on workplace culture and environment |
| CSR Programs | Efforts related to social and environmental causes |
| Growth Paths | Opportunities for professional development |
Tools for Career Assessments
Career assessment tools can be incredibly useful for narrowing down roles that resonate with your values and personality. For example, the Career Personality Profiler™ evaluates both your interests and personality traits. Similarly, the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) connects your personality type to specific career paths [2]. If you're looking for free options, the Work Values Matcher helps rank your priorities, such as achievement, independence, relationships, and working conditions.
Once you have a clearer idea of industries or companies that align with your values, use these tools to refine your search even further.
Exploring Growth-Oriented Fields
Emerging industries like sustainability, AI consulting, and workforce development are gaining traction among value-driven professionals [4]. These fields offer meaningful work along with promising career growth. Platforms like Upskillist provide courses designed to help you develop the skills needed to thrive in these areas [5]. Whether you're looking to make an impact or advance your career, these sectors could be worth exploring.
Step 4: Build Your Change Plan
Once you've pinpointed careers that match your values, it's time to map out a solid plan for making the switch. A clear plan not only keeps you organized but also helps you tackle both the practical and emotional challenges of changing careers.
Write SMART Goals
Break your career transition into smaller, actionable steps using SMART goals - specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound.
| Component | Example |
|---|---|
| Specific | Land a project manager role in a company focused on sustainability |
| Measurable | Submit 6-10 targeted job applications each week |
| Achievable | Earn a Project Management certification within 3 months |
| Relevant | Focus on companies with strong environmental initiatives |
| Time-bound | Secure a new position within 6 months |
Set Time Frames
Organize your transition into clear phases: preparation, active job search, and settling into your new role. Each phase should include time for learning new skills, submitting job applications, and adapting to your new environment.
Planning a realistic timeline is key to staying on track while reducing stress. It's also wise to build a financial cushion to cover 3-6 months of expenses during this period.
Learn New Skills
Figure out which skills are essential for your new career and start building them. Online platforms like Upskillist can help you gain the expertise you need on a flexible schedule.
Focus on these areas when developing new skills:
- Core Competencies: Hone the basic skills required for your new role.
- Industry Knowledge: Familiarize yourself with the jargon and trends in your target sector.
- Practical Application: Apply your skills through real-world projects or assignments.
"Mark McCalla, HR Manager, highlights that career transitions provide an opportunity to reflect on past experiences and clarify future goals." [4]
With your plan in place, you're ready to take action and track your progress to ensure you're staying true to your values.
Step 5: Start Changes and Track Progress
With your plan ready, it's time to take action while staying true to your personal values. This step is all about implementing changes and keeping an eye on your progress.
Put Your Plan in Action
Begin by updating your professional materials to match your career goals and values. Write a resume statement that directly connects the two. Revamp your professional brand, focus on networking with purpose, sharpen your skills, and consistently send out tailored job applications.
Taking action is key, but having guidance and support can make the journey much easier and more effective.
Find Mentors and Support
A strong support system can keep you motivated during career shifts. Kelly Jackson, Account Director at Ogilvy, highlights the importance of mentorship:
"When you develop a mentor relationship, you gain so much confidence in an array of areas, including the ability to talk with people and ask for their feedback."
Identify what you want from a mentor, seek out professionals who share your values, and set clear expectations for regular check-ins. Mentors can offer valuable advice and encouragement to help you navigate tough transitions while staying aligned with your goals.
Check Progress Monthly
Bruce Tulgan offers a helpful tip for staying on track:
"Self-performance tracking is only useful if it's done regularly. These are living, breathing tools."
Set up a monthly review system to evaluate the skills you've gained, how close you are to your goals, and whether your actions align with your values. Regular tracking ensures your career stays on course with your aspirations.
Conclusion: Build a Values-Based Career
Key Takeaways
Building a career that aligns with your personal values is crucial for long-term satisfaction and success. Research indicates that 40% of employees leave their jobs because they feel a lack of purpose [1]. This highlights how important it is to apply the strategies discussed in this guide.
"When our values align with the work we are doing, we are going to have greater job satisfaction and success." - Keith Spencer, FlexJobs [2]
The five-step process we covered offers a clear path for making meaningful career changes. To keep this alignment strong, it’s important to regularly assess and adjust as needed.
Staying in Sync with Your Values
Keeping your career aligned with your values takes ongoing effort. Career expert Ginny Clarke emphasizes this:
"By maintaining steadfastness amidst trials while demonstrating unwavering commitment towards personal beliefs and values at work - you're not just preserving your integrity as a leader but are also paving the way for meaningful changes within your team or organization." [3]
Here’s a simple way to track your progress:
| Aspect | How Often |
|---|---|
| Self-Assessment | Every 6 months |
| Skills Evaluation | Every 3 months |
| Goal Progress | Monthly |
Using tools like Upskillist can help you grow professionally while staying true to your values [4]. Regularly reviewing your career path ensures you stay motivated, engaged, and aligned with what matters most.
Burnout costs businesses $322 billion globally in lost productivity and turnover [3]. By focusing on value alignment and making adjustments when needed, you can avoid burnout and build a career that feels both fulfilling and purposeful.
FAQs
How do I find my career values?
Understanding your career values is key to feeling satisfied and productive at work. Dr. Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic notes that when people choose roles that align with their psychological needs and values, they tend to be more engaged and perform better [5].
Here’s how you can identify your career values:
- Reflect on your past experiences: Think about moments when you felt truly fulfilled (check Step 1 for more details).
- Use professional assessment tools: Tools like Holland Occupational Themes or MBTI can help you uncover your preferences.
- Prioritize what matters most: Focus on aspects like integrity, creativity, or maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
As Anthony Grant, an expert in coaching psychology, puts it:
"If your goal is aligned with your core values, the thought of it will trigger a positive gut feeling. That feeling is what will keep you ploughing ahead until you've nailed it" [6]
Career coach Emily Walton also highlights the importance of consistency in values:
"Values are values no matter where you are in your life or career" [7]