What do you want out of your next job?

As Lewis Carroll said, "If you don't know where you're going, any road will get you there."

Do you know what you want out of your next job? Are you after more money? More recognition? A better work environment? More opportunities for future advancement? Weekends off? It helps to go into your job search with some idea of what you value in the workplace - otherwise, your career may end up a meandering mess with no clear direction and a whole lot of dissatisfaction.

Here are 15 common workplace values. Some may be important to you, while others may not matter at all. If you'd like to narrow down your top values, go through this list and rank them in order of importance, or simply delete the ones that aren't important at all. If you can think of others that you value, add them at the bottom.

In alphabetical order: 

1. Base compensation
2. Benefits
3. Bonuses and merit-based rewards
4. Contribution to society
5. Challenge
6. Flexible work environment
7. Independence
8. Nature of the work
9. Opportunities for advancement
10. Respect and recognition
11. Security and stability
12. Status and power
13. Training and professional development
14. Variety of the work
15. Work/life balance

​​Whittle down the list until you have your top 3-5 values - the most important things you'd like to get out of your next job - and then when you interview with companies, see where they rank in terms of offering what you want.

It may not guarantee the perfect job, but it will bring you one step closer. Best of luck!