Most of us have, at one point or another.  The fact is, it’s a great question.  Research shows that people who work in career fields they like naturally advance and have greater job satisfaction.

But how do you know what type of work best suits you?  Many career experts, including those at ABR Employment Services, recommend selecting potential career options that match your work values.

Work Values – an Introduction

To be happy, successful and satisfied in your work you should take your values – beliefs and ideas about work that are important to you – into account.  Work values can be either intrinsic  (relating to the actual tasks involved in practicing a particular occupation) or extrinsic (relating to the by-products of a job).  For example, an intrinsic value of practicing medicine might be helping others, while an extrinsic value might be earning a lot of money.

Examples of Work Values

Here is a sampling of work values and their definitions from About.com Field Guide Dawn Rosenberg McKay.  As you read the list, consider how important each value is to you:

• Autonomy: receiving no or little supervision
• Helping Others: providing assistance to individuals or groups
• Prestige: having high standing
• Job Security: a high probability that one will remain employed
• Collaboration: working with others
• Recognition: receiving attention for your work
• Compensation: receiving adequate pay
• Creativity: using your own ideas
• Variety: doing different activities

At ABR Employment Services, we want to help you find the perfect opportunity that matches your skills, interests, work values and needs.  That’s why we launched ABR JobConnect.  This free online career resource has two helpful tools to:

1. Guide you in determining what kind of work you’re interested in and;
2. Identify different jobs that may be right for you based on your work values and interests.

Identify Your Work Values – and the Right Type of Job for You

The “Prepare” tab in ABR JobConnect can help you identify the right types of opportunities for you.  Two key assessments provide important information about your interests and work values:

• Work Importance Profiler. You can use the online assessment tools, such as the Work Importance Profiler (WIP), to choose a career that fits your interests as well as your work values.  The WIP can help you learn more about your work values and decide what is really important to you in a job.  It asks you to rank different aspects of work that represent six different work values.  Knowing your work values can help you decide what kinds of jobs and careers you might want to explore.
• Interest Profiler. This assessment helps you find out what your interests are and how they relate to the world of work.  Your Interest Profiler results will help you identify occupations that are in line with your particular areas of interest.  At the end of the Interest Profiler you will receive a list of occupations that match the results of your assessment.

Other Features of ABR JobConnect:

• Access over 1,000 Job Boards on one site
• Prepare a resume or receive a resume critique
• Utilize the career advisor
• Participate in weekly webinars covering job seeker “hot topics” and receive job search advice
• Receive information on continuing education opportunities

ABR Employment Services provides these free career resources as part of our commitment to helping you find the right employment opportunity for you.  Contact the ABR Employment office near you and get one step closer to landing your ideal job.

“Money doesn’t matter.”

You may honestly be desperate for work, but job experts agree that desperation doesn’t work when it comes to landing the opportunity you want.

Don’t let anxiety or feelings of hopelessness derail your job search.  Watch this quick video to learn what phrases to avoid while interviewing and other ways to stay in control while you look for work: