Work Values: What Matters to You at Work
Work values are the conditions and principles a person considers important in work, such as the work itself, environment, relationships, rewards, and autonomy. Interests are closer to “What do I want to do?” Work values are closer to “Under what conditions do I want to work?”
Work values do not measure ability, aptitude, personality, or qualifications. A high value score also does not prove that a career is a good fit. Values are one source of evidence in career exploration, not a verdict.
The six O*NET and CareerOneStop work values
The U.S. Department of Labor’s O*NET data system and CareerOneStop Work Values Matcher use six work values.
| Value | General meaning |
|---|---|
| Achievement | Work that uses abilities and provides a sense of accomplishment |
| Independence | Work that allows independent decisions and trying one’s own ideas |
| Recognition | Work with advancement, leadership, and recognition |
| Relationships | Work that helps others and supports ethical, friendly relationships |
| Support | Work where management and the organization support employees fairly |
| Working Conditions | Preferred conditions such as security, pay, safety, variety, and activity |
CareerOneStop’s current Work Values Matcher is a card-sort activity in which users rank 20 statements about an ideal job. It connects the choices to these six values and is based on the ONET Work Importance Locator (WIL). The ONET WIL itself was retired on June 3, 2024; its materials remain available for historical and research use.
How the OIYO activity differs
OIYO separately created an 18-item, six-dimension self-reflection activity.
| O*NET / CareerOneStop | OIYO | |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | Achievement, Independence, Recognition, Relationships, Support, Working Conditions | Security, Achievement, Autonomy, Contribution, Creativity, Recognition |
| Format | CareerOneStop 20-card sort | 18 item responses |
| Role | Public career-exploration framework based on O*NET | Original OIYO reflection activity |
Similar labels do not make the two systems equivalent. The OIYO activity is not the official O*NET WIL and is not presented as a psychometrically validated or normed assessment. Scores should not be converted between the systems or used alone to claim career fit.
How to use a result responsibly
- Treat a high score as a prompt about current priorities, not a fixed identity.
- Interpret it alongside experience, interests, skills, and life constraints.
- Add occupational research, conversations with workers, or career counseling before a major decision.
- Revisit the exercise when your circumstances change; priorities can change too.
Learn and reflect
Official sources
OIYO Research Institute
Research TeamThe OIYO research team structures material from psychometric scales, statistics, and academic literature. We name both the popular framing and its scholarly limits, so each guide works as a tool for reflection rather than a verdict.