5 Questions to Ask Yourself to Determine if a Job is Right for You
Choosing a job that aligns with your personal values, interests, and long-term goals can be pretty dang hard – we’re here to help.

Choosing a job that aligns with your personal values, interests, and long-term goals can be pretty dang hard – especially for those of you who are entering the workforce for the very first time. However, by asking yourself the right questions, you’ll be able to make more informed decisions that lead to you feeling happy in your career (and fulfilled!). Here are five questions to ask yourself to help you figure out whether the job opportunity you’re considering is the right one for you.
1. Does This Job Match My Personal Values?
Your personal values are basically the core beliefs that guide what you do and how you make decisions. These could be things like honesty, creativity, community, or balancing work with the rest of your life (just to name a few!). When you’re looking at a job, think about whether the company’s values line up with yours.
To figure this out, check out the company’s mission statement, vision, and core values. Look at their social media, read employee reviews, and see what the news says about them. Ask yourself:
- • Do they care about the same things I do?
- • Are their business practices ethical?
- • Do they support causes I’m passionate about?
2. Am I Excited About the Work?
Being passionate (and excited!) about your work can make a huge difference. Think about whether the job responsibilities excite you – or do you find yourself bored just reading the description?Also, think about whether you can turn the things that already excite you (e.g. Your interests and hobbies!) into a career too!
To answer this question, think about the below:
- • Do I find the tasks and projects interesting and engaging?
- • Can I see myself enjoying this work long-term?
- • Does this job use my strengths and talents?
And while this is a *really* important question to answer – it’s not the only thing that matters. You also need to think about practical stuff like job stability and salary.
3. Does This Job Offer Chances to Grow?
Career growth and development are really important to enjoying your job in the long term. Look at whether the job offers opportunities for growing and learning new skills – both of which are important to keeping you motivated (and helping you reach your career goals!).
To know whether the job opportunity is going to allow you to grow, ask yourself:
- • Are there chances for promotions and advancement?
- • Does the company offer training programs, mentorship, or continuing education?
- • Will I learn new skills and gain valuable experience?
Our best tip? Find employers and companies that truly invest in their employees and provide them with resources to grow (trust us, there’s lots out there!).
4. How Does This Job Fit into My Long-Term Goals?
Think about how a potential job fits with your long-term career goals. Where do you want to be in 5, 10, or even 20 years? Does this job help you get there? We don’t expect you to know what your life is going to look like in 20 years (because who knows what the world will look like by 2044!) – but it’s good to think about how this job might help you achieve any goals you’re passionate about achieving.
To answer this, ask yourself:
- • Does this job help me move towards my ultimate career and personal goals?
- • Will the skills and experience I gain be valuable for my ongoing career?
5. Will This Job Give Me a Good Work-Life Balance?
It’s no secret that we are big (note: BIG) fans of work-life balance – because it’s super important for keeping up your overall well-being and feeling happy in your work. Think about how the job will impact your personal life and whether it allows you to balance work with other important aspects of your life, like family, hobbies, and self-care.
The last questions you need to answer are:
- • What are the typical working hours and expectations for overtime?
- • Does the company offer flexible working arrangements, like remote work or flexible hours?
- • What’s the company’s policy on holidays, sick leave, and personal days?
A job that supports a healthy work-life balance can help prevent burnout and keep you happy both at work and in your personal life (and give you more time to do the things you love outside of your job!).
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Remember, your career journey is unique to you, so take the time to reflect on what matters most and find opportunities that match your personal vision for what your future looks like.