The 10 ‘Perks’ IT Workers Want Most – Valutrics

Demand for IT workers continues to outpace supply, meaning that employers face stiff competition when it comes to attracting talent. In order to appeal to job seekers, some companies offer exceptional or unusual perks, like nap rooms, on-site spas or free dry cleaning. However, experts say this approach might not always be the best strategy.

“Frivolous things like kegs or ping pong tables, most engineers see through that. They want to be challenged with a team of smart people, period,” said Manny Medina, CEO of Outreach, which offers sales engagement software.

However, the perks that an employer offers can provide an overview of what it will be like to work at a particular company. Carter Lowe, an enterprise technical recruiter at IT staffing agency Mondo, said that when it comes to deciding whether to accept a job offer, “the workplace perks that a company offers are rarely a deciding factor for somebody, but they are definitely indicative of the overall culture.”

Jeb Ory, CEO and cofounder of Phone2Action, a startup that offers digital advocacy and engagement software, echoed that sentiment. “More than anything, job seekers are looking to find a place to work that aligns with their values, and where their contributions are valued,” he said. “Perks that are most relevant are those that are aligned with the substance of the company’s work.”

Over and over, recruiters and hiring managers said that the attention-grabbing perks that nabbed headlines in the early 2000s are no longer very attractive to job seekers. For example, Scott Dobroski, a community expert at online recruiting site Glassdoor said, “Quirky perks can be fun and helpful for employees, but employers should understand what will keep their employees satisfied and engaged long-term.”

So what are those things that keep employees satisfied and engaged? Here’s a list in ascending order of importance.