What are your career priorities?

Everyone has a set of priorities that is totally unique to that individual. Although you may share some priorities with other people, the exact combination and importance of each one is customized for you based on elements such as your values, interests, and goals. When it comes to your career, you will make decisions based on both personal and professional priorities since they affect each other.

Since personal and professional priorities are connected, let’s explore some examples to get you thinking about what your priorities are.

• Do you want to work for yourself or work for an established company? Some people prefer a stable paycheck and a 9-5 schedule, while others value the ability to work for themselves. If you go the route of entrepreneurship, keep in mind that in addition to focusing on your specific craft or subject you will also be responsible for running a business.
• What do you want to do every day? What positions will be a match with your skills and abilities? What do you really want to do? You are more apt to find long-term career success when you can find a job that connects your professional skills with your interests. You need to be able to technically do the job, and to stay motivated you should be interested in what you are doing.
• Why do you work? Do you want to earn a lot of money, or is it more important to you to make a positive impact in the world? In some cases, you can do both. Review potential jobs carefully to see how they match with your personal values and goals.
• Do you want to work for a large, big-name company or for a smaller, lesser-known organization? Some people want a big name on their resumes, while others find greater value in work that suits smaller to mid-size environments.
• Where will you work? Do you want to work close to home, or are you willing to commute a significant distance each day? Do you prefer a big city, the suburbs, or a small town? Your commute affects your lifestyle in that it can cost you money, time, and energy.
• Are you willing to travel for your job? Some jobs require 90% travel and living away from home for significant periods of time based on the demands on the job. Many professionals love the excitement of working on the road while others prefer to work in a role that doesn’t require significant travel. What is right for you? Consider how the element of travel affects your family dynamic.
• How do you want to progress in your career? Is moving up in your career your primary focus? If so, you may sacrifice elements such as time off for a position that offers professional development opportunities and a clear path for promotion. If this is your focus, learn all you can about how you can grow personally and professionally in your current role to move you forward in a career direction that interests you.
• How much flexibility do you want or need? When I became a parent I shifted to a role that featured professional stability and a flexible schedule so I could be a part of my child’s school and extracurricular activities. My former job featured long hours and significant travel and now I primarily work a 9-5 schedule with the ability to apply earned time off to attend events and activities.

Reflect upon these points to begin the process of determining what your priorities are, and how your personal and professional lives intersect. Then expand your thoughts to other elements that are important to you. By clarifying your priorities, you’ll be able to focus on career opportunities that will be a fit for you in terms of both your personal and professional values and goals.