Work/life balance more important to us than salary say job-hunting marketers

Flexible working and a better work/life balance is more important to marketing professionals looking for new jobs than a high salary, new research tells. And employers and agencies looking to attract high-level candidates from London to the South need to examine their overall lifestyle and benefits package if they want to appeal to the best new recruits.

Sophie Adkins, senior consultant at Solutions 4 Recruitment who conducted the research, said that a general skills shortage means that good pr and marketing people are in huge demand, and although salaries in London are high, many professionals are looking for employers away from the stress of the city who can offer them a better lifestyle.

Sophie said: “People are being encouraged to find a better work/life balance everywhere – by Doctors, life coaches, newspapers and magazines, and they are taking notice. Many professionals see long commutes to the office and working silly hours away from the family and home as totally unnecessary in this day and age.

“With new technologies such as e-mail, Internet and video conferencing in every day use, they can now work just as effectively at home, and enjoy a more relaxed lifestyle that enables them to ditch the hectic commute, look after children or devote more time to hobbies and other commitments. And they are telling us that these things are more important to them than earning lots of money.

“Marketing and pr in particular is fairly project led work, which lends itself to flexible working. Good people are in demand, so it’s logical that they are opting for employers who offer the lifestyle that they are after. Local companies and agencies need to listen to what people want and revamp their packages accordingly.”

Sophie continues: “It’s all about lifestyle. If your employees are guaranteed parking, flexible working, and/or an office in a leafy location that doesn’t involve a motorway commute, then it’s a huge selling point to people who want to get away from the grime of the city. Employers need to think outside of the box and put together a package tailored towards those looking for a better work/life balance. If they don’t, many professionals will discount the organisation from their job search altogether.”

Solutions 4 Recruitment offer pr, marketing and design recruitment in the Hampshire, Dorset, Wiltshire, Berkshire, Surrey and West Sussex area. For more information visit: http://www.solutions4recruitment.com/ or call 01489 890276.