Skill development. Flexible hours. Challenging work.What’s important to you in a job? In today’s market, you can receive many indirect benefits from a job in addition to compensation. Companies are concentrating on their “soft” benefits to attract and retain good workers. As a result, you have more options to consider as you evaluate jobs and employers during your job search. Work-Life BalanceIndirect benefits can come in all forms. Many involve helping employees achieve work-life balance, especially as companies ask employees to work longer hours during tough economic times. In a recent survey by the Corporate Executive Board, more than 60% of employees polled identified flexible schedules as the most important work-life practice their employer could provide.Some companies offer onsite fitness centers, child care and cafeterias. Others contract with consulting firms that help employees navigate the admissions and financial aid process for their college-age children. All of these services can save you time and money, and assist in integrating family and health priorities into a busy workdayStaying SharpCompanies build competitive advantage by keeping their workforce sharp, and that leads to training and development opportunities for employees. Some companies have formalized ongoing education programs, or corporate universities. Others focus on creating career paths for individuals, assisting employees in charting their next career steps and in developing the aptitude and experience they need to move forward. These opportunities to improve your skills and increase your knowledge can help you stay marketable.Work Experience IntangiblesAre you a Baby Boomer interested in more job responsibility? Or a Gen Xer who wants opportunities to work independently? Or perhaps a Gen Y looking to make a difference through your work? Companies have realized the connection between a satisfying work experience and employees’ productivity and loyalty. Some are striving to make sure these intangibles are part of the work experience. Others have tuned into the intangibles that are attractive to each generation in the workforce. A company’s work experience can go a long way toward your satisfaction at work, so evaluate it carefully. The bottom line? You, the job candidate, are in the driver’s seat. Work can be so much more than a paycheck these days, so consider what an employer can offer you beyond compensation.

Based on conversations with a veteran recruiter, below are eleven job search tips that job seekers should consider. They may seem obvious but they are often overlooked.Have your name in your email address: State your name in your voicemail greeting: Return calls promptly and be patient: Be polite/ be respectful/ be positive/ be professional to everyone you come in contact with during the hiring process: Be enthusiastic/ show energy/ be confident/ be yourself: Don’t forget that you’re in an interview: Prepare and be prepared: Demonstrate agility, organizational strengths and responsiveness from the first contact with a company: Listen: Don’t hijack the interview: Smile: This article is contributed by Right Management, www.rightmanagement.sg, the global career experts within the ManpowerGroup.

A flexible schedule. A variety of work experiences. Learning new things. Sound appealing? Then take a closer look at temporary employment.Demand for good temporary employees continues to grow across a wide range of industries, from office services and manufacturing to technology and healthcare. Companies need temporary employees to manage periodic increases in their workload or to complete special assignments. Many also use temporary workers year-round to complement their permanent workforce, and as a way to find and test new hires. Good workers can choose the type of work they want to do, which can help them grow professionally. Here are some answers to commonly asked questions about temporary work:What exactly is temporary work?Temporary work is a work assignment that lasts for a specified period of time. Assignments can last anywhere from a few weeks to a few months. Some assignments can turn into permanent, full-time jobs. Once an assignment is finished successfully, the worker can move on to something new.Isn’t temporary work just for unskilled people?Not true — companies need temporary employees with diverse skills, educational backgrounds and work experiences. Some of the Manpower positions most in demand include assemblers, call center agents, customer service representatives, business analysts, electrical engineers and sales managers.Why do people choose temporary work?For many reasons. A recent graduate may want to test-drive jobs in different industries before settling on a career path. A mom re-entering the workforce might start with a temporary assignment to maintain a flexible schedule.Someone who is unemployed may use a temporary job as a way to maintain an income flow while looking for permanent work. Others find permanent positions through their temporary assignments. And, some people simply prefer temporary work because it fits their lifestyle better than a permanent job.What are the qualities of a great temporary employee?Successful temporary workers welcome changing work environments and assignments. They can adapt quickly to new jobs with a willingness to learn. They also have the basics down.They always arrive at work on time, they show initiative on the job, and have a great sense of personal pride in what they can accomplish on each assignment. Manpower recruiters are always paid by the employers, not the job candidates.88% of temporary employees say that temporary or contract work made them more employable.40% of Manpower’s temporary assignments lead to permanent opportunities.

Expand your job search resources. Access the hidden market. Find a job faster.Manpower's recruiters are always paid by the employers, not the job candidates.Working with a good recruiter can help you achieve all of these goals and more. A recruiter’s role is to connect job candidates with employers who need specific skills and talents.To do the job well, a recruiter must fully understand the employers’ job requirements. He or she must also understand your qualifications and job desires as the job candidate. Building a healthy relationship with your recruiter is key. Here are some guidelines to help you succeed:Make a great impression. The impression you make on your recruiter is the image that he or she will market to potential employers. Present yourself best by meeting face-to-face, if possible, and dressing professionally. As you work together, treat your recruiter with respect and appreciation. Always stay positive and optimistic.Build your relationship on trust and good communication. Be honest about your qualifications, and crystal clear about all aspects of the job you’d like to find. For example, if you want to limit your commute time or find a flexible work schedule, letting your recruiter know at the start will save you both time and effort.Follow up often. Contact your recruiter immediately after an interview so he or she can relay your impressions to the employer. If you are interviewing on your own or receive a job offer, be sure to keep your recruiter in the loop. He or she can use this information as leverage on your behalf because it shows you are an attractive candidate in today’s job market.Cooperation is critical. Work together and agree on the next steps you will take. Take advantage of your recruiter’s expertise with resumes, interviewing skills and the job search process. You are working as a team for a common goal: your new job.Stay in touch. Continue your relationship with your recruiter throughout your career. Let him or her know when you earn a promotion, enhance your qualifications and accept new positions. That way, your recruiter can keep you in mind for any new job matches that arise. And, you’ll have a valuable resource on your side the next time you hunt for a job.

Even in tough job markets, the jobs are out there.It takes a little more work to find them, but you may discover your right-fit job in a place that surprises you. If you’re wondering how and where to find the job that’s right for you, read on. What is “Right Fit?”Getting hired and your success on the job can depend on your “fit” in the job just as much as your technical skills. Are you well-suited to the company’s culture and work environment? Do you have traits and values that will make it easy to form good working relationships with other employees at that company? The hiring manager will be examining these questions, and you should, too. Finding a job that fits will impact your satisfaction with your work.Defining Your “Right-Fit”Before you start looking for specific job openings, take some time to define what is right for you. There are many career planning and self-assessment tools online, in bookstores and libraries that can help. Consider some of the following elements that could influence your job search direction and ultimate employment choice:Work environment and geographic locationDaily tasks and responsibilitiesAdvancement and training opportunitiesBenefits and compensationNarrowing Your SearchNarrow your search to a specific industry or profession using your right-fit criteria. Use resources like associations, trade journals, and sites like wetfeet.com and vault.com to explore industries and professions. Ask people you know who work in areas of interest to sit down with you for an informational interview. Finally, start narrowing your search to specific job titles and positions.Where to LookLook for job openings that are compatible with your research through:Employers. If there are companies that interest you, consider visiting the company with resume in hand or directly calling the company. Ask to speak to a hiring manager or Human Resources representative if you don’t have a contact name.Your network. Ask every friend, relative, teacher, former co-worker and casual acquaintance you have about job vacancies they may know about. Tell everyone that you are job hunting. The more people you have trying to find you a job opportunity, the better your chances for success.Online. Check job boards, job aggregators (like indeed.com, which pulls together a comprehensive list of jobs from many sites), company websites and Facebook pages, as well as local newspaper sites.Staffing agencies. “Test-drive” a positions or companies by taking on temporary assignments. This will help you build valuable experience, contacts and references. Plus, many temporary jobs turn into permanent opportunities.Federal and local government sources. Visit or call your local employment office.