More employees than ever rank pay as chief concern

More workers than ever before put money first when it comes to employment.

If you’ve got money on the mind when it comes to finding employment then you’re not alone because a new study has revealed that over half (58 per cent) of UK professionals say that a good salary is their top career priority.

The research from CV Library also found that having friendly colleagues was important to UK professionals, with just under half (48.2 per cent) saying that it is an important factor with employment. Over a third (40 per cent) also said a great company culture was also a key priority when it comes to work.

Surprisingly, career progression was found to be less of a priority was UK professionals with 33.5 per cent saying room for progression was important, whilst 28.2 per cent said learning new skills was a top priority.

In addition 22.4 per cent said having a nice boss was important, 13.3 per cent favoured flexible working opportunities, 11.5 per cent said work close to home was essential and 10.4 per cent said having good workplace perks was important.

The research, which surveyed 1,200 UK workers, comes after January saw application rates soar by 83.6 per cent across the UK.

Lee Biggins, founder and managing director of CV-Library, explains how job hunters should think about more than the monthly pay packet when applying.

“Candidates are storming the job market like never before and it’s clear that many are searching for roles with a strict set of criteria in mind. If you’re looking for a job right now, it’s important you know what you want from your career, so you can find a role that best suits your needs.

“That said, while salary and company culture do play a big part in job satisfaction, it’s vital to take into consideration your daily responsibilities and your commute, as these will also have an impact on your happiness at work.”

Unexpectedly the research also revealed that workers are making the day to day responsibilities less of a priority when it comes to employment too, with only 10.9 per cent admitting that it was an important factor.

Biggins adds: “It’s interesting to see this shift in career priorities, with professionals no longer placing as much importance on the role itself. It’s definitely important to enjoy what you do and this should always be a priority when moving jobs. That said the move is not surprising given ongoing economic uncertainty, as professionals seek financial stability.”

“It’s interesting to see this shift in career priorities, with professionals no longer placing as much importance on the role itself.

Lee Biggins CV Library founder and MD