Jane Kennelly: Learn to value your values

When you're clear on your values, you're able to make consistent decisions and take committed action. Photo / Thinkstock

As the dust settles on the new working year, it's common to crave change. Whether it's a new job, complete career change, or simply a desire to create a happier work environment, it's important to take time to understand the value of 'your values'.

It's challenging to make the right career move when you don't know what's significant to you. Too often we act in response to what others like or expect from us, or hastily say "yes" without checking hunches. This is why the importance of aligning your values can't be ignored, because they're all about you and no one else.

When you're clear on your values, you're able to make consistent decisions and take committed action. Without clarity, it's all too easy to drift off course and march to the beat of someone else's drum. As they say; "If I keep doing what I've always done, I'll keep getting what I've always got."

With your values aligned to your role and working environment, you'll discover a natural enthusiasm, a sense of personal satisfaction and a feeling of purpose - which in turn, will contribute to your success and happiness.

Creating a directional guide on what's important to you in your working life starts with the interview process. To truly understand the organisations' values, make sure you ask well formulated questions such as:

• What are the company's strengths and weaknesses compared to its competition?
• How will my leadership responsibilities and performance be measured?
• Could you describe your management style and the type of team member who responds well to this?
• How do people here know when they are being successful?
• What is the company's policy on providing seminars, workshops, and training so employees can upskill or acquire new skills?
• You mentioned career development is on offer here; can you tell me about an individual who has enjoyed a successful development program?
• Can you describe an ideal employee?
• What are some of the goals and challenges the organisation is likely to face in the next year?
• How would my job performance be evaluated?
• What are some of the things you like about working for this company?
• How did you get hired by this company?
• What community projects does the company support?
Typically, as an interviewee, you should aim to have three or four questions ready to pose, making sure they are questions you're genuinely interested in hearing the answer to.

Recruitment professional Jane Kennelly says if your values are aligned to your working environment, you'll discover a natural enthusiasm, a sense of personal satisfaction and a feeling of purpose.

It also pays to look at the company's vision and mission statement. These should give you an idea about what the company believes to be most important, so helping you determine if it's going to be a good match. Remember that some companies will tell you they have a set of values but their employees see it differently. Don't be afraid to visit the organisation, talk to current employees and look for ways the company "walks the talk".

And when you consider that the average employee works 90,000 hours in their life, all the more reason to spend the majority of your time in a highly desirable environment. Ensuring your values are fully aligned to those of your employer will help make the experience all the more enjoyable.

Jane Kennelly, Director of Frog Recruitment Ltd, is a recruitment professional with over 25 years' industry knowledge.