What Are Work Values
Before we can talk about work values, we must discuss what values are in general. They are the beliefs and ideas that are important to you and guide your actions. For example you may believe that you should always be honest, go out of your way to help others and be independent. Your work values are simply those principles that have to do with your occupation or job. They are such an important part of who you are that if you don’t take them into account when you choose a career or a employment situation, you have little chance of finding job satisfaction.
Clarifying your work values is, therefore, essential. They are both intrinsic and extrinsic. Intrinsic values have to do with the actual tasks involved in practicing a particular occupation or doing a job. Extrinsic ones are concerned with the by-products of an occupation or job. Examples of your intrinsic values could be helping others, doing challenging work and being a leader. Earning a lot of money, getting recognition for what you do and having job security are examples of extrinsic values.