Career Anchors Inventory

The items in this inventory are designed to help you think about what you want out of your career. This is not a standardized test but an inventory that will help identify what is essential for you to consider in determining next career steps. It should take 15-20 minutes to complete.

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* Name:

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* For each of the items that follow, rate how true each statement is for you (never, sometimes, often, or always).

	Never	Sometimes	Often	Always
1. I want to be so good at what I do that others will always seeks my expert advice.	1. I want to be so good at what I do that others will always seeks my expert advice. Never	1. I want to be so good at what I do that others will always seeks my expert advice. Sometimes	1. I want to be so good at what I do that others will always seeks my expert advice. Often	1. I want to be so good at what I do that others will always seeks my expert advice. Always
2. I am most fulfilled in my work when I have been able to integrate the efforts of others toward a common task.	2. I am most fulfilled in my work when I have been able to integrate the efforts of others toward a common task. Never	2. I am most fulfilled in my work when I have been able to integrate the efforts of others toward a common task. Sometimes	2. I am most fulfilled in my work when I have been able to integrate the efforts of others toward a common task. Often	2. I am most fulfilled in my work when I have been able to integrate the efforts of others toward a common task. Always
3. I dream of having a career that will allow me the freedoms to do a job in my own way and on my own schedule.	3. I dream of having a career that will allow me the freedoms to do a job in my own way and on my own schedule. Never	3. I dream of having a career that will allow me the freedoms to do a job in my own way and on my own schedule. Sometimes	3. I dream of having a career that will allow me the freedoms to do a job in my own way and on my own schedule. Often	3. I dream of having a career that will allow me the freedoms to do a job in my own way and on my own schedule. Always
4. I am always on the lookout for ideas that would permit me to start my own enterprise.	4. I am always on the lookout for ideas that would permit me to start my own enterprise. Never	4. I am always on the lookout for ideas that would permit me to start my own enterprise. Sometimes	4. I am always on the lookout for ideas that would permit me to start my own enterprise. Often	4. I am always on the lookout for ideas that would permit me to start my own enterprise. Always
5. Security and stability are more important to me than freedom and autonomy.	5. Security and stability are more important to me than freedom and autonomy. Never	5. Security and stability are more important to me than freedom and autonomy. Sometimes	5. Security and stability are more important to me than freedom and autonomy. Often	5. Security and stability are more important to me than freedom and autonomy. Always
6. I would rather leave my organization than be put into a job that would compromise my ability to pursue personal and family concerns.	6. I would rather leave my organization than be put into a job that would compromise my ability to pursue personal and family concerns. Never	6. I would rather leave my organization than be put into a job that would compromise my ability to pursue personal and family concerns. Sometimes	6. I would rather leave my organization than be put into a job that would compromise my ability to pursue personal and family concerns. Often	6. I would rather leave my organization than be put into a job that would compromise my ability to pursue personal and family concerns. Always
7. I will feel successful in my career only if I have a feeling of having made a real contribution to the welfare of society.	7. I will feel successful in my career only if I have a feeling of having made a real contribution to the welfare of society. Never	7. I will feel successful in my career only if I have a feeling of having made a real contribution to the welfare of society. Sometimes	7. I will feel successful in my career only if I have a feeling of having made a real contribution to the welfare of society. Often	7. I will feel successful in my career only if I have a feeling of having made a real contribution to the welfare of society. Always
8. I dream of a career in which I will always have the challenge of solving ever more difficult problems.	8. I dream of a career in which I will always have the challenge of solving ever more difficult problems. Never	8. I dream of a career in which I will always have the challenge of solving ever more difficult problems. Sometimes	8. I dream of a career in which I will always have the challenge of solving ever more difficult problems. Often	8. I dream of a career in which I will always have the challenge of solving ever more difficult problems. Always
9. I will feel successful in my career only if I can develop my skills to an increasing level of competence.	9. I will feel successful in my career only if I can develop my skills to an increasing level of competence. Never	9. I will feel successful in my career only if I can develop my skills to an increasing level of competence. Sometimes	9. I will feel successful in my career only if I can develop my skills to an increasing level of competence. Often	9. I will feel successful in my career only if I can develop my skills to an increasing level of competence. Always
10. I dream of being in charge of a whole organization.	10. I dream of being in charge of a whole organization. Never	10. I dream of being in charge of a whole organization. Sometimes	10. I dream of being in charge of a whole organization. Often	10. I dream of being in charge of a whole organization. Always

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* For each of the items that follow, rate how true each statement is for you (never, sometimes, often, or always).

	Never	Sometimes	Often	Always
11. I am most fulfilled in my work when I am completely free to define my own tasks, schedules, and procedures.	11. I am most fulfilled in my work when I am completely free to define my own tasks, schedules, and procedures. Never	11. I am most fulfilled in my work when I am completely free to define my own tasks, schedules, and procedures. Sometimes	11. I am most fulfilled in my work when I am completely free to define my own tasks, schedules, and procedures. Often	11. I am most fulfilled in my work when I am completely free to define my own tasks, schedules, and procedures. Always
12. I would not stay in an organization that would give me assignments that would jeopardize my job security.	12. I would not stay in an organization that would give me assignments that would jeopardize my job security. Never	12. I would not stay in an organization that would give me assignments that would jeopardize my job security. Sometimes	12. I would not stay in an organization that would give me assignments that would jeopardize my job security. Often	12. I would not stay in an organization that would give me assignments that would jeopardize my job security. Always
13. Building a business of my own is more important to me than being a high level manager in someone else's organization.	13. Building a business of my own is more important to me than being a high level manager in someone else's organization. Never	13. Building a business of my own is more important to me than being a high level manager in someone else's organization. Sometimes	13. Building a business of my own is more important to me than being a high level manager in someone else's organization. Often	13. Building a business of my own is more important to me than being a high level manager in someone else's organization. Always
14. I have felt most fulfilled in my career when I have been able to use my talents in the service of others.	14. I have felt most fulfilled in my career when I have been able to use my talents in the service of others. Never	14. I have felt most fulfilled in my career when I have been able to use my talents in the service of others. Sometimes	14. I have felt most fulfilled in my career when I have been able to use my talents in the service of others. Often	14. I have felt most fulfilled in my career when I have been able to use my talents in the service of others. Always
15. I will feel successful in my career only if I have met and overcome increasingly difficult challenges.	15. I will feel successful in my career only if I have met and overcome increasingly difficult challenges. Never	15. I will feel successful in my career only if I have met and overcome increasingly difficult challenges. Sometimes	15. I will feel successful in my career only if I have met and overcome increasingly difficult challenges. Often	15. I will feel successful in my career only if I have met and overcome increasingly difficult challenges. Always
16. I dream of a career that will permit me to integrate my personal, family, and work needs.	16. I dream of a career that will permit me to integrate my personal, family, and work needs. Never	16. I dream of a career that will permit me to integrate my personal, family, and work needs. Sometimes	16. I dream of a career that will permit me to integrate my personal, family, and work needs. Often	16. I dream of a career that will permit me to integrate my personal, family, and work needs. Always
17. Becoming a senior functional or technical manager in my area of expertise is more attractive to me than becoming a general manager.	17. Becoming a senior functional or technical manager in my area of expertise is more attractive to me than becoming a general manager. Never	17. Becoming a senior functional or technical manager in my area of expertise is more attractive to me than becoming a general manager. Sometimes	17. Becoming a senior functional or technical manager in my area of expertise is more attractive to me than becoming a general manager. Often	17. Becoming a senior functional or technical manager in my area of expertise is more attractive to me than becoming a general manager. Always
18. I will feel successful in my career only if I achieve complete autonomy and freedom to define my work.	18. I will feel successful in my career only if I achieve complete autonomy and freedom to define my work. Never	18. I will feel successful in my career only if I achieve complete autonomy and freedom to define my work. Sometimes	18. I will feel successful in my career only if I achieve complete autonomy and freedom to define my work. Often	18. I will feel successful in my career only if I achieve complete autonomy and freedom to define my work. Always
19. I usually seek jobs in organizations that will give me a sense of stability and security.	19. I usually seek jobs in organizations that will give me a sense of stability and security. Never	19. I usually seek jobs in organizations that will give me a sense of stability and security. Sometimes	19. I usually seek jobs in organizations that will give me a sense of stability and security. Often	19. I usually seek jobs in organizations that will give me a sense of stability and security. Always
20. I feel most fulfilled when I have been able to build something that is primarily the result of my own skill and effort.	20. I feel most fulfilled when I have been able to build something that is primarily the result of my own skill and effort. Never	20. I feel most fulfilled when I have been able to build something that is primarily the result of my own skill and effort. Sometimes	20. I feel most fulfilled when I have been able to build something that is primarily the result of my own skill and effort. Often	20. I feel most fulfilled when I have been able to build something that is primarily the result of my own skill and effort. Always

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* For each of the items that follow, rate how true each statement is for you (never, sometimes, often, or always).

	Never	Sometimes	Often	Always
21. I will feel successful only if I become a high level leader in some organization.	21. I will feel successful only if I become a high level leader in some organization. Never	21. I will feel successful only if I become a high level leader in some organization. Sometimes	21. I will feel successful only if I become a high level leader in some organization. Often	21. I will feel successful only if I become a high level leader in some organization. Always
22. Using my talents to make the world a better place to live is what drives my career decisions.	22. Using my talents to make the world a better place to live is what drives my career decisions. Never	22. Using my talents to make the world a better place to live is what drives my career decisions. Sometimes	22. Using my talents to make the world a better place to live is what drives my career decisions. Often	22. Using my talents to make the world a better place to live is what drives my career decisions. Always
23. I have been most fulfilled in my career when I have been able to solve seemingly unsolvable problems or won out over impossible odds.	23. I have been most fulfilled in my career when I have been able to solve seemingly unsolvable problems or won out over impossible odds. Never	23. I have been most fulfilled in my career when I have been able to solve seemingly unsolvable problems or won out over impossible odds. Sometimes	23. I have been most fulfilled in my career when I have been able to solve seemingly unsolvable problems or won out over impossible odds. Often	23. I have been most fulfilled in my career when I have been able to solve seemingly unsolvable problems or won out over impossible odds. Always
24. I feel successful in life only if I have been able to balance my personal, family, and career requirements.	24. I feel successful in life only if I have been able to balance my personal, family, and career requirements. Never	24. I feel successful in life only if I have been able to balance my personal, family, and career requirements. Sometimes	24. I feel successful in life only if I have been able to balance my personal, family, and career requirements. Often	24. I feel successful in life only if I have been able to balance my personal, family, and career requirements. Always
25. I dream of a career that will allow me to feel a sense of stability and security.	25. I dream of a career that will allow me to feel a sense of stability and security. Never	25. I dream of a career that will allow me to feel a sense of stability and security. Sometimes	25. I dream of a career that will allow me to feel a sense of stability and security. Often	25. I dream of a career that will allow me to feel a sense of stability and security. Always
26. I would rather leave my organization than to attempt a rotational assignment that would take me out of my area of expertise.	26. I would rather leave my organization than to attempt a rotational assignment that would take me out of my area of expertise. Never	26. I would rather leave my organization than to attempt a rotational assignment that would take me out of my area of expertise. Sometimes	26. I would rather leave my organization than to attempt a rotational assignment that would take me out of my area of expertise. Often	26. I would rather leave my organization than to attempt a rotational assignment that would take me out of my area of expertise. Always
27. Balance the demands of my personal and professional life is more important to me than a high level leadership position.	27. Balance the demands of my personal and professional life is more important to me than a high level leadership position. Never	27. Balance the demands of my personal and professional life is more important to me than a high level leadership position. Sometimes	27. Balance the demands of my personal and professional life is more important to me than a high level leadership position. Often	27. Balance the demands of my personal and professional life is more important to me than a high level leadership position. Always
28. I dream of being in a career that makes a real contribution to humanity and society.	28. I dream of being in a career that makes a real contribution to humanity and society. Never	28. I dream of being in a career that makes a real contribution to humanity and society. Sometimes	28. I dream of being in a career that makes a real contribution to humanity and society. Often	28. I dream of being in a career that makes a real contribution to humanity and society. Always
29. I will feel successful in my career only if I have created an enterprise of my own based on my own ideas and skills.	29. I will feel successful in my career only if I have created an enterprise of my own based on my own ideas and skills. Never	29. I will feel successful in my career only if I have created an enterprise of my own based on my own ideas and skills. Sometimes	29. I will feel successful in my career only if I have created an enterprise of my own based on my own ideas and skills. Often	29. I will feel successful in my career only if I have created an enterprise of my own based on my own ideas and skills. Always
30. Becoming a general manager is more attractive to me than becoming a senior functional manager in my area of expertise.	30. Becoming a general manager is more attractive to me than becoming a senior functional manager in my area of expertise. Never	30. Becoming a general manager is more attractive to me than becoming a senior functional manager in my area of expertise. Sometimes	30. Becoming a general manager is more attractive to me than becoming a senior functional manager in my area of expertise. Often	30. Becoming a general manager is more attractive to me than becoming a senior functional manager in my area of expertise. Always

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* For each of the items that follow, rate how true each statement is for you (never, sometimes, often, or always).

	Never	Sometimes	Often	Always
31. The chance to do a job in my own way, free of rules and constraints, is very important to me.	31. The chance to do a job in my own way, free of rules and constraints, is very important to me. Never	31. The chance to do a job in my own way, free of rules and constraints, is very important to me. Sometimes	31. The chance to do a job in my own way, free of rules and constraints, is very important to me. Often	31. The chance to do a job in my own way, free of rules and constraints, is very important to me. Always
32. I prefer work opportunities that strongly challenge my problem-solving and competitive skills.	32. I prefer work opportunities that strongly challenge my problem-solving and competitive skills. Never	32. I prefer work opportunities that strongly challenge my problem-solving and competitive skills. Sometimes	32. I prefer work opportunities that strongly challenge my problem-solving and competitive skills. Often	32. I prefer work opportunities that strongly challenge my problem-solving and competitive skills. Always
33. I dream of starting up and building my own business.	33. I dream of starting up and building my own business. Never	33. I dream of starting up and building my own business. Sometimes	33. I dream of starting up and building my own business. Often	33. I dream of starting up and building my own business. Always
34. I would rather leave my organization than accept a position that would undermine my ability to be of service to others.	34. I would rather leave my organization than accept a position that would undermine my ability to be of service to others. Never	34. I would rather leave my organization than accept a position that would undermine my ability to be of service to others. Sometimes	34. I would rather leave my organization than accept a position that would undermine my ability to be of service to others. Often	34. I would rather leave my organization than accept a position that would undermine my ability to be of service to others. Always
35. I am most fulfilled in my work when I have been able to use my special skills and talents.	35. I am most fulfilled in my work when I have been able to use my special skills and talents. Never	35. I am most fulfilled in my work when I have been able to use my special skills and talents. Sometimes	35. I am most fulfilled in my work when I have been able to use my special skills and talents. Often	35. I am most fulfilled in my work when I have been able to use my special skills and talents. Always
36. I would rather leave my organization than accept a job that would take my away from the path to general management.	36. I would rather leave my organization than accept a job that would take my away from the path to general management. Never	36. I would rather leave my organization than accept a job that would take my away from the path to general management. Sometimes	36. I would rather leave my organization than accept a job that would take my away from the path to general management. Often	36. I would rather leave my organization than accept a job that would take my away from the path to general management. Always
37. I am most fulfilled in my work life when I feel that I have complete financial and employment security.	37. I am most fulfilled in my work life when I feel that I have complete financial and employment security. Never	37. I am most fulfilled in my work life when I feel that I have complete financial and employment security. Sometimes	37. I am most fulfilled in my work life when I feel that I have complete financial and employment security. Often	37. I am most fulfilled in my work life when I feel that I have complete financial and employment security. Always
38. I would rather leave my organization than accept a job that would reduce my autonomy and freedom.	38. I would rather leave my organization than accept a job that would reduce my autonomy and freedom. Never	38. I would rather leave my organization than accept a job that would reduce my autonomy and freedom. Sometimes	38. I would rather leave my organization than accept a job that would reduce my autonomy and freedom. Often	38. I would rather leave my organization than accept a job that would reduce my autonomy and freedom. Always
39. I have always sought out work opportunities that minimize interference with my personal and family life.	39. I have always sought out work opportunities that minimize interference with my personal and family life. Never	39. I have always sought out work opportunities that minimize interference with my personal and family life. Sometimes	39. I have always sought out work opportunities that minimize interference with my personal and family life. Often	39. I have always sought out work opportunities that minimize interference with my personal and family life. Always
40. Working on problems that are difficult to solve is more important to me than achieving a high level leadership role.	40. Working on problems that are difficult to solve is more important to me than achieving a high level leadership role. Never	40. Working on problems that are difficult to solve is more important to me than achieving a high level leadership role. Sometimes	40. Working on problems that are difficult to solve is more important to me than achieving a high level leadership role. Often	40. Working on problems that are difficult to solve is more important to me than achieving a high level leadership role. Always

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* Once you have finished rating each item, scan back over the statements and type below the 5 item numbers that are most clearly descriptive of how you feel (hint: items you chose "always" for are a good place to start).

Source: Edgar H. Schein, Career Anchors, 3rd Edition