Career Values Scale Report

John Smith
1/29/07

Copyright 2002 by Psychometrics Publishing. All rights reserved in whole or part.

Career Values Scale Report: John Smith Page 2

About this report

This report provides a summary of your responses to the Career Values Scale (CVS). The CVS describes
key features of your personal value system as it applies to careers and work. The Career Values Map is
designed to provide you with information and advice that is useful for exploring career and work life.
When looking at your career or work it is important to think about your values. Career values are aspects
of the work world that are important to you. As such they are good indicator of what you will find satisfying
and rewarding. Knowing what your career values are will help you decide what kind of job or career you
might like to explore or what kind of work environment you might enjoy.
Inside this report are descriptions of ten career values: Service Orientation, Teamwork, Influence,
Creativity, Independence, Excitement, Personal Development, Financial Rewards, Prestige and Security.
Your report contains descriptions of what is important to you, what your main sources of satisfaction and
dissatisfaction are, and suggestions for working with this knowledge.

It will be valuable for you to look at your career values and to identify those that are present or missing in
your current career. While this report does provide you with in-depth information, it is important to
recognize the no one scale can tell you which career path to follow. Planning your career and future
should take into account information about you that this report does not provide, such as your abilities,
education, skills, previous work and leisure experiences, and your family situation. To benefit fully from
this report, consider discussing this information with people who know you well, or a trained career
professional.

On the next page you will find a graphical representation of your career values. The statements to the left
and right provide a description of the kind values that are likely to be held by you. The triangle indicates
where on the scale your score is. If the triangle is closer to the left, then the left-hand description is more
likely to apply to you. If the triangle is closer to the right, then the right-hand statement is more likely to be
descriptive of you. If you are in the middle then you are likely to value aspects of both.
Career Values Scale Report: John Smith Page 3

Working with Others

Service Orientation
Looking objectively at issues without
having to concern yourself about the Relationships, personal service,
feelings of others 5 providing direct benefits to others

Team Orientation
Independent decision making,
working by yourself 4 Team work, good co-worker relations

Influence
Contributing expertise without being in
charge 4 Influencing people and events

Self-Expression

Creativity

Practical well-grounded solutions 4 Creativity and originality

Independence
Being free from the influence of
Clearly outlined roles and functions 3 others

Excitement

Predictability, stability and structure 3 Variety, risk and fast-paced work

Career Development
Work that uses your present level of Personal and professional
knowledge and expertise 6 development

Extrinsic Rewards

Financial Rewards

Professional satisfaction 2 High salary and financial security

Security

Future possibilities 2 Security, predictable career path

Prestige

Pride in performance 3 Recognition, admiration and status

Career Values Scale Report: John Smith Page 4

Working with Others

Every career involves some interaction with people. Your personal values strongly impact both the type
and quality of interaction you prefer to have with others. Some individuals prefer an environment that is
outgoing and warm, while others prefer a more formal and independent workplace. Knowing your values
is important because it influences the types of personal interactions that you will find satisfying.

Service Orientation

Service Orientation
Looking objectively at issues without
having to concern yourself about the Relationships, personal service,
feelings of others 5 providing direct benefits to others

You will probably enjoy work that allows you to provide direct benefits to others, but which allows you to
have time to work on tasks with few interpersonal requirements. When required to constantly deal with
people issues you may become tired and dissatisfied. Similarly, you will likely to be dissatisfied if you do
not see a connection between what you are doing and how it affects others. You will probably enjoy
occupations that allow you to take people's concerns into consideration but not have to deal with them on
an ongoing basis.
Sources of Satisfaction: Tasks that allow you work objectively but which you know have a positive effect
on others
Sources of Dissatisfaction: Spending all of your time on direct customer service

Team Orientation

Team Orientation
Independent decision making,
working by yourself 4 Team work, good co-worker relations

You will be comfortable working in an environment that has a balance of team and independent work.
You will feel satisfied where you have the opportunity to work closely with others and to have the
opportunity to pursue your own goals. It is likely that you would feel dissatisfied in organizations where
you are forced to work independently all of the time. At the same time you are likely to dislike spending all
of your time working in groups, teams and committees. For some activities you will prefer working
collaboratively for others you would rather work alone.
Sources of Satisfaction: A balanced mix of teamwork and independent work
Sources of Dissatisfaction: Having to work alone all of the time, having to work in groups all of the time
Career Values Scale Report: John Smith Page 5

Influence

Influence
Contributing expertise without being in
charge 4 Influencing people and events

You will be most comfortable in environments where you can take a leadership role in situations that deal
with your area of expertise. You are likely to enjoy switching between being a leader or follower
depending on the task. You will not enjoy situations where you always have the sole responsibility. Nor
will you be completely satisfied where you always have the subordinate role. You will be happy to take
charge when you feel it is warranted but you are equally comfortable letting others be the leaders.
Sources of Satisfaction: The opportunity to be in a leadership role where the tasks deal with your area of
expertise
Sources of Dissatisfaction: High levels of responsibility in areas where you feel you are not expert
Career Values Scale Report: John Smith Page 6

Self-Expression
Each individual approaches work in a unique way. Dfferences in self-expression can be attributed to how
you value creativity, independence, excitement and personal development. Your values in these areas
will influence both the types of tasks and work environments that you will find enjoyable and satisfying.

Creativity

Creativity

Practical well-grounded solutions 4 Creativity and originality

You enjoy focusing on practical, straightforward solutions and will feel satisfied in occupations where
creativity is not a strong requirement. However, you are likely to enjoy the occasional creative challenge.
People with values similar to yours enjoy solving problems and like solutions that are both practical and
new. You are likely to feel dissatisfied in occupations that expect you to be too unconventional. Jobs
where you have to spend all of your time on practical day-to-day activities will be equally frustrating. A
balance of creative and practical activities will be preferable to you.
Sources of Satisfaction: A balance of creative and practical activities
Sources of Dissatisfaction: Too much emphasis on either unconventional innovation or practical activities

Independence

Independence
Being free from the influence of
Clearly outlined roles and functions 3 others

You will be most at ease in environments where you can work closely with others and where decisions
are reached through consensus. Since you value accommodation more than self-determination you are
likely to be most satisfied where others help determine the pace and content of your work. Careers that
involve highly independent decision-making will likely be uncomfortable for you. You will prefer to work
where there are clear rules and regulations and where you can receive support and guidance from others.
Sources of Satisfaction: Working with others, good supervision, clearly outlined roles and functions
Sources of Dissatisfaction: Working alone, poor supervision, few rules and regulations
Career Values Scale Report: John Smith Page 7

Excitement

Excitement

Predictability, stability and structure 3 Variety, risk and fast-paced work

You are likely to be satisfied in environments where there is stability and structure. Jobs defined by clear
methods will probably be attractive to you. You will not enjoy working in an organization where there is a
great deal of change and where you are expected to be changing roles frequently. You enjoy established
ways of working. You are most comfortable in occupations where most of your responsibilities are well
defined and rarely change.
Sources of Satisfaction: Predictable, stable, and structured work
Sources of Dissatisfaction: A great deal of variety, change or risk

Career development

Career Development
Work that uses your present level of Personal and professional
knowledge and expertise 6 development

You will enjoy working in an environment that offers you some opportunity to develop work related skills.
You will not be particularly interested in constantly upgrading your skills and will be quite satisfied in
positions where you can work without too much learning or upgrading. Learning for learning's sake is not
particularly motivating. However, you will probably enjoy the opportunity to increase your skills and
knowledge when you see a direct link to your job.
Sources of Satisfaction: Professional development linked directly to your job
Sources of Dissatisfaction: Development activities not seen as relevant
Career Values Scale Report: John Smith Page 8

Extrinsic Rewards
This section looks at the things that motivate you. It examines how you value financial rewards, job
security and prestige. Recognizing what motivates you is an important step in identifying ideal
occupations and making career exploration and analysis easier.

Financial Rewards

Financial Rewards

Professional satisfaction 2 High salary and financial security

You place a relatively low value on financial rewards and incentives. You will probably be most satisfied in
an organization that provides you with professional satisfaction. You will judge the value of what you do
by how much pride you feel rather than by how much money you make. Money is not your prime
motivator. You are likely to be willing to take a less well-paid job if you can be assured of learning new
skills or using your professional expertise.
Sources of Satisfaction: Professional pride
Sources of Dissatisfaction: Work where concerns with money come first

Security

Security

Novelty, variety and change 2 Security, stability and predictability

You place a great deal of value on future possibilities and you are not overly concerned about job
security. You are likely to become bored and dissatisfied where everything is predictable and routine.
Since you do not particularly value working in an organization that is predictable and stable, you will be
comfortable with change and rarely find it stressful. Your adaptability allows you to be effective in work
settings where frequent change is the norm. You are likely to be satisfied with a career path where you
change organizations and roles frequently
Sources of Satisfaction: Future possibilities
Sources of Dissatisfaction: A predictable and structured career path
Career Values Scale Report: John Smith Page 9

Prestige

Prestige

Pride in performance 3 Recognition, admiration and status

You judge the value of what you do by how good a job you have done rather than the acknowledgement
you receive. As such you will be most satisfied working in an organization which values commitment
rather than individual recognition. You will likely dislike working in occupations where you are always in
the limelight or where others are always seeking recognition. You are unlikely to obtain much satisfaction
from personal status or from status symbols. You are likely to enjoy positions that give you a sense of
pride based on your performance rather than on the prestige of your occupation.
Sources of Satisfaction: Knowing for yourself that you have done a good job
Sources of Dissatisfaction: Being the center of attention
Career Values Scale Report: John Smith Page 10

Sources of Satisfaction

When working with others your main sources of satisfaction are likely to be:

Tasks that allow you work objectively but which you know have a positive effect on others
A balanced mix of teamwork and independent work
The opportunity to be in a leadership role where the tasks deal with your area of expertise

In the area of self-expression your main source of satisfaction is likely to be:

A balance of creative and practical activities

Working with others, good supervision, clearly outlined roles and functions
Predictable, stable, and structured work
Professional development linked directly to your job

Your main sources of satisfaction in the area of extrinsic rewards are:

Professional pride
Future possibilities
Knowing for yourself that you have done a good job
Career Values Scale Report: John Smith Page 11

Sources of Dissatisfaction

When working with others your main sources of dissatisfaction are likely to be:

Spending all of your time on direct customer service

Having to work alone all of the time, having to work in groups all of the time
High levels of responsibility in areas where you feel you are not expert

In the area of self-expression your main source of dissatisfaction is likely to be:

Too much emphasis on either unconventional innovation or routine activities

Working alone, poor supervision, few rules and regulations
A great deal of variety, change or risk
Development activities not seen as relevant

Main sources of dissatisfaction in Extrinsic Rewards are:

Work where concerns with money come first
A predictable and structured career path
Being the center of attention
Career Values Scale Report: John Smith Page 12

Working with your career values

Putting together a comprehensive career plan with specific goals is one of the most important steps in
managing your career successfully. Examining your values will help you determine what your priorities
are in your current situation and help you plan for the future. "What is important to you?" is the
fundamental question in the career planning process.

First, read through your report a number of times. Pay close attention to what it says about you and
highlight the statements you believe describe you best. Second, underline the statements that surprise
you.

Having read about your values it will be helpful to complete the following exercises and think about the
following questions. This will give you a clearer picture of what is really important to you.

Deciding on your core career values

Choose four or five career values that you feel are essential for you to be satisfied in your career. If you
feel you cannot do without a value, it is likely to be a core career value. Your career satisfaction is likely to
depend on these values being fulfilled. Write the names of these values below.

My Core Career Values

This exercise should be carried out periodically. Come back to this report in 6 months, re-read the values
and complete this exercise again. Did anything change? What changed? Why did they change? What
impact have these changes had on your career?
Career Values Scale Report: John Smith Page 13

Your current career situation

In this exercise you will look at the satisfiers and dissatisfiers associated with each value. Your task is to
look at each pair below and decide which best represents your present situation. Circle the S or the D
when you have decided. Please do this for all values.

Service Orientation - Which of the following best describes your current career situation?
S - Working objectively on task which have a positive effect on others

D - Spending all of your time on direct customer service

Team Orientation - Which of the following best describes your current career situation?
S - A balanced mix of teamwork and independent work

D - Having to work alone all of the time or having to work in groups all of the time

Influence - Which of the following best describes your current career situation?
S - Having a leadership role where the tasks deal with your area of expertise

D - Having high levels of responsibility in areas where you feel you are not expert

Creativity - Which of the following best describes your current career situation?
S - A balance of creative and practical activities

D - Too much emphasis on either unconventional innovation or routine activities

Independence - Which of the following best describes your current career situation?
S - Good supervision, clearly outlined roles and functions

D - Working alone, poor supervision not enoughrules and regulations

Excitement - Which of the following best describes your current career situation?
S - Predictable, stable, and structured work

D - A great deal of variety, change or risk

Career Development - Which of the following best describes your current career situation?
S - A balance of new activities and consistent routines

D - Too much routine or too much change and risk

Career Values Scale Report: John Smith Page 14

Financial Rewards - Which of the following best describes your current career situation?
S - Lots of professional pride

D - Work where concerns with money come first

Security - Which of the following best describes your current career situation?
S - Future possibilities

D - A predictable and structured career path

Prestige - Which of the following best describes your current career situation?
S - Knowing for yourself that you have done a good job

D - Being the center of attention

Now that you have decided on which of the above pairs best represent your current situation, please do
the following.

Count the number of Ss and write it below.

Count the number of Ds and write it below.

If you have more Ss than Ds you are likely to be having a positive career experience. Check to see that
the Core Values listed on the previous page are Ss. If any of them are Ds then you may still experience
some frustration in relation to them. Ask yourself the following questions.

If you have more Ds than Ss then you are likely to be feeling somewhat dissatisfied in your current career
situation. This will be especially true if you have a large number of core values classified as D. Ask
yourself the following questions.

• Is the career that you have compatible with the values that you hold?

• What are the barriers to satisfaction?

• What is the probability of you having the opportunity to satisfy missing values in your present
situation?

• What goals do you have in relation to your missing values?

Career Values Scale Report: John Smith Page 15

Conclusion

You can't expect to have all of your values met in your career. One of the secrets of effective career
management is finding other ways to fulfill your values which are not being met in your career. Many
values can be satisfied in other areas, such as volunteer work, recreational pursuits and participation in
groups or clubs.

Create a list of areas to address that will help you improve your work and personal life. Carefully examine
your current environment and set some realistic goals for achieving satisfaction. Then consider your
future goals and outline adjustments you could make that would enable you to reach them.

While the Career Values Scale outlines a number of areas that can impact your satisfaction and success
in life, it is important to recognize that many other variables can also play an important role. The Career
Values Scale addresses what you find important in your career, but it does not provide information on
your skills, abilities, personality, interests, work experience and specialized training. These also need to
be reviewed when determining what you need to acquire to achieve what you desire.