Given the ongoing economic downturn, tangible factors are important for many employees.

In uncertain times, according to a new survey, two traditional factors are once again becoming more important for many employees when choosing a job: a secure job and a good salary. Far less important, however, are employer-provided benefits such as childcare or sports programs. And the question of whether the work is meaningful also plays a minor role for many, according to the consulting firm Strategy&.

In January, the company, which is part of the auditing firm PwC, conducted a survey with the market research institute Appinio among 1,000 employees between the ages of 18 and 65. Participants were asked to select the most and least important criteria for them.

Job security topped the list of most important factors at 43 percent. Second to fourth place were a good salary (42 percent), work-life balance (41 percent), and a "positive work environment" (38 percent). The latter encompasses various elements, including the working atmosphere, appreciation, and communication within the company.

Work-life balance is therefore - as stated or complained about by many employers looking for young talent - considerably more important for the younger generation than for the older generation: 45 percent of 18- to 24-year-olds considered this to be one of their most important criteria, but only 33 percent of 55- to 65-year-olds.

In contrast, the least important factor for a majority of 56 percent of participants was the opportunity to travel for business. However, according to the survey, additional company benefits and the meaningfulness of one's own work are also less important to many people in their working lives than is often assumed: 29 percent declared "benefits" the least important factor, and 28 percent "purpose." In recent years, given the increasing shortage of skilled workers, additional benefits and the meaningfulness of the job have been a topic of discussion in the human resources departments of numerous companies and recruitment agencies. However, career opportunities and good transport links at the employer also ranked lower in the survey.