One of my job candidates, a talented and experienced professional, had been looking for a new job to improve her quality of life. As many hiring managers and job seekers know, this is a common theme among professionals who, for this reason or another, are dissatisfied with their jobs or careers. 

My candidate, who I’ll call Mary, was not looking for the highest job offer. Other things were more important, and here’s a big one. For years, she had spent three hours a day commuting to and from her job. That’s 15 hours a week, 60 hours a month, and 720 hours a year. For perspective, Mary spent 30 days of her life every year sitting in traffic. 

Real talk: Mary signed a job offer for $15,000 less than what she currently makes – and she’s thrilled. There were other job offers on her table with higher salaries, some far exceeding her current compensation, but her decision wasn’t about the money. 

I’d like to explain why Mary did not choose a job with a higher annual salary. After you read it, I’d like to ask – what would you do, and why? 

Here’s what most job candidates miss about compensation 

I asked Mary to calculate what she gained from the new job she accepted, and she couldn’t. Not because the math is hard, but because “it’s impossible to put price on big things that are important to me,” she said, and she went on to give me a list:

• Being home for dinner every night 

• The mental energy she gets back from satisfying and fulfilling work 

• Alignment with a mission that matters to her, personally and professionally  

• Not being exhausted before her workdays even begin

“I can’t put a dollar amount on what this job will give back to me that I’m not getting from my current position,” Mary said. 

That’s when I knew she was making the right decision.  

If you recently made a job or career change, what have you gained in your new role that can’t be measured in dollars? Sometimes, the best career move might be the one that pays less but gives back more of what really matters to you, today and in the long run. 

What 11 years in the recruiting industry has taught me about salaries 

• Job candidates who negotiate based on salary alone are often back on the job market in 18 months, burned out and searching for “something different.”  

• Job candidates who evaluate the full package – total compensation and quality of life – tend to stay with their new employers for years. They thrive. They learn, grow, and advance their careers. They never regret their decisions.  

To every hiring manager: In your job ads, avoid trying to hook candidates by leading with salary alone. Salary is important to include in your postings, but it’s essential to place equal emphasis on your company values, company culture, advancement opportunities, professional development programs, work-life balance, or other incentives offered by your organization. These are the hooks that attract top candidates in the job market who are genuinely interested in advancing their professions at your company. 

To every job candidate: Stop focusing your job search on the number you want to see on paper. Salary matters, but it’s just one piece of the big picture. For example, learn about an employer’s internal ecosystem. Money can’t fix a toxic work environment. A flexible work schedule is real currency! The right fit will fuel your long-term job satisfaction. Consider opportunities for job growth, skills advancement, and the full benefits package. See the whole picture so you can choose a job you’ll still want a year from now and far beyond. 

Partner with a strong recruiter for long-term success 

For hiring managers and job candidates alike, working with a recruiter holds many advantages. We ask the right questions. We translate job descriptions into reality. We identify blind spots, give honest feedback, and genuinely advocate for both the hiring company and our job candidates. Our approach and specialization result in mutual success. 

Connect with me to find your next great hire or the right-fit job opportunity. My name is Sarah Rowland-Varner. and I am an Area Director with Goodwin Recruiting, a Forbes Best Recruitment Company and trusted partner in your success!