How To Make Career Decisions That Align With Your Core Values
Monique Farmer, APR, is the founder of Avant Solutions, a PR and communication consultancy that helps nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and small businesses elevate their messaging and build stronger connections with their audiences.
At some point in your professional life, often right around the time you’ve earned some stability, raised a few kids, and learned the ropes of juggling way too much, you pause. You glance around at your title, schedule, and endless email notifications to ask one straightforward but soul-shaking question, "Is this still me?"
That question? It’s the beginning of real change. Because if you’re asking it, you’ve outgrown something. And maybe you don’t know what comes next, but you know it has to feel different. It has to feel true.
Here’s the truth somebody forgot to tell most of us when we were in our twenties. Your core values matter more than your resume. They are your compass, your inner GPS. And when your career no longer aligns with them, even success starts to feel hollow.
Core values: The foundation for career alignment
What are core values?
So, what are core values, really? They’re not buzzwords or corporate slogans. They’re the non-negotiables that guide your decisions and help you feel whole. Things like freedom, family, growth, creativity, stability, and service. If you’ve ever had that moment where something just felt off, even if the opportunity looked great on paper, it’s probably because it bumped up against a value.
In the early stages of your career, it’s easy to chase what looks good. Titles, paychecks, and perks. And there’s no shame in that, we all do what we need to do. But midlife offers a different kind of invitation. It says, let’s pivot from proving something to becoming someone.
That’s where integrity comes in.
Integrity: Staying true to yourself in career choices
Integrity isn’t just about honesty. It’s about alignment. It’s when your insides match your outsides, when your choices reflect what you believe, not what others expect.
I remember talking with a friend who was offered a six-figure role at a company known for its fast pace and cutthroat culture. Everything about it screamed “success,” except her gut. Her values of well-being, spaciousness, and making room for her family would not survive in that environment. She turned it down. And within a few months, she found a leadership position at a smaller firm where she had influence and peace of mind.
That’s integrity in action. And I won’t lie, it takes courage.
Some situations quietly test our integrity. For example, when a manager pressures you to fudge a number, or you say yes to a project that hijacks your evenings with your kids, or when you stay in a role that looks good from the outside but drains you dry.
So, how do you check your integrity in real time? Pause. Ask, "Does this decision honor my core values?" If the answer’s no, that’s your red flag. If it’s maybe, keep digging.
Realignment takes practice. But the cost of misalignment, burnout, resentment that ache in your chest you keep trying to ignore, is way too high.
Clarity: Creating a career vision aligned with core values
Next comes clarity. Without clarity, you risk making lateral moves that don’t change the game. You swap one job for another, but the feeling follows you because the root cause of misalignment was never addressed.
Clarity isn’t about knowing every next step. It’s about knowing what matters most. And you can start finding it by looking at your own life. Think back to a time you felt deeply satisfied at work. Not just proud, but lit up. What was present? What values were honored? Maybe you had autonomy. Maybe you felt creative, trusted, or connected to a purpose bigger than yourself.
Now think of a time you felt frustrated, overlooked, or exhausted. What values were missing or violated? That contrast is gold.
How to gain clarity around core values
Try to write down your top five to seven values. Now rank them. What’s truly non-negotiable? What might be flexible depending on the season? This becomes your career compass. You can keep it in your notes app or journal for quick gut checks.
So, let’s say “flexibility” is at the top of your list. You’re probably not going to thrive in a role with rigid hours and no room for remote work. If “service” drives you, you’ll want a mission-focused organization or a role where impact is front and center. If “growth” is key, look for places that invest in development, not just output.
Your values list isn’t just for self-reflection. It’s a decision-making tool, a filter. And the more you use it, the more you’ll trust it.
Living and leading by your core values
Midlife doesn’t have to be a detour. It can be a design moment, a point where you stop following a path and start creating one.
So here’s your nudge. Pick one value you know you’ve been ignoring. Maybe it’s creativity. Maybe it’s rest. Maybe it’s courage. Find one small way to honor that value in a career decision this month. Maybe it’s updating your resume, having a values-aligned conversation with your boss, or simply saying no to the project that doesn’t serve you anymore.
When you live and lead by your core values, you don’t just change jobs. You change your relationship with work. You reclaim your voice. You reshape your life.
And if you're ever unsure? Come back to your list. Come back to what matters.
Because the clearest, most powerful career path isn’t out there waiting for you. It’s already within you, waiting for permission to lead.
Read more from Monique Farmer
Monique Farmer, PR & Communications Consultant
Monique Farmer, APR, runs a PR/Communication Consultancy, Avant Solutions, and is the creator of Anvil Ready, an online communication strategy builder that aids the communication professional in creating communication plans. She teaches at the University of Texas at Austin. Farmer spent 12 years working in the federal government prior to working in corporate communications for ConAgra Foods (now ConAgra Brands), then leading communication strategy for Nebraska’s largest school district. In March 2024, she published her first book, Chart Your Path: A 9-step Method to Getting Unstuck.
