The search for happiness at work: more than just money?

Now that the first quarter of 2025 has passed, it is a good time to look back at the past year. In the last year more than half of the job openings remained unfilled. As a result, employers often lowered their requirements or chose to train new employees themselves. Even when qualified candidates responded, they sometimes proved unaffordable due to their salary demands, jeopardizing companies’ salary caps.

Is money important?

It seems that money is becoming increasingly important in the job search, but is it really? Does money make people happy? Research shows that salary is not the most important motivator for choosing a job. Of course, it is nice to earn a good salary, but it is not the only factor that contributes to job happiness. A job that pays well, but that you don’t enjoy, often doesn’t last long.

Work happiness

It is therefore important to look at other factors that determine your work happiness. For example, are you looking for a job that contributes to your personal values? Do you find it important to develop and challenge yourself? Do you want to work at a company that has a positive impact on society? These are all aspects that can influence your job happiness and that you, as an employee, should pay attention to. But employers also have an important role in this. They can ensure that a culture is created in which employees feel heard and valued, and in which they can grow. Of course, no one wants to lose out financially, but it is important to be open to a meeting and listen to what the company has to offer. After all, it’s all about the right match between employer and employee.

The role of a recruiter

A good recruiter can help by not only looking at candidates’ salary requirements, but also at their personality, values and work experience. Finding the right match between an employer and an employee will ensure not only a satisfied employee, but also a lasting and successful relationship between the two parties.

So let’s not just look at the salary, but at the whole picture. What makes you happy as an employee, and how can an employer help with that? And as an employer, how can you make sure you attract and retain the right people? It all starts with the right match.