With more than 80% of employers looking to increase their hiring over the next quarter, the job market doesn’t look to be getting any looser. In a March 25 article in the USA today, management consultant Bruce Tulgan, author of Winning the Talent Wars, is quoted as saying “it’s a fiercely competitive marketplace. Employers are really stepping up in their recruiting efforts… employees have more and more negotiating power.”

That can be tough for start up businesses that don’t have a lot of capital. Brad Sugars, in an article at entrepreneur.com, says “the paradox and the challenge is to maintain the image of a solid, successful company without letting your expenses lead to uncompetitive pricing.”

In other words, when it comes to hiring, don’t perk yourself out of business.

Still, highly qualified candidates pretty much have their pick of jobs. To attract these candidates, some companies are sweetening the perk pot. For example, the USA Today article tells us that Microsoft (who hired 10,000 new employees in 2006) offers take-home dinners and free soft drinks for employees. Hewlett-Packard emphasizes its educational assistance and flexible time off/work arrangements policies.

One Boston-based technology company is even offering pet insurance. (!)

In these relatively-strong economic times companies are doing what they can to find a good employees. But in my conversations with jobseekers, perhaps the biggest perk I hear people wanting is respect for their personal life. That makes perks like flex time a big thing.

Work-life balance in today’s stressful world has a high value. Companies that pay attention to that and treat people like individuals should have a better shot at recruiting top talent.

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Filed in Work, Business, Opinion, Training, Motivation, Management, Leadership, Teambuilding, Workplace