We asked motor trade professionals what they would improve about their current job. Here's what employers and candidates can learn from the results.

One of the questions we're asked most often by employers is, "What are candidates actually looking for?"

It's an important question, particularly when businesses are competing for experienced automotive professionals and looking for ways to attract and retain good people.

To find out what matters most, we recently asked our LinkedIn audience one simple question.

If you could improve one thing about your current job, what would it be?

Source: Perfect Placement LinkedIn poll conducted in July 2026. Results represent a snapshot of our LinkedIn audience and are intended to support the recruitment insights discussed within this article.

Higher salary received the largest share of responses at 44%, closely followed by work-life balance at 34%. Career progression accounted for 16% of responses, whilst 6% said they would most like better leadership.

Looking at the results, it feels like a tale of two halves. Salary came first, but a combined 56% of respondents chose something other than pay. Whilst this was only a LinkedIn poll, it reflects many of the conversations our recruiters have every day and suggests that candidates are increasingly looking beyond salary alone when deciding whether a job is right for them.

What Can Employers Learn From the Results?

The results suggest employers should think beyond salary when recruiting skilled automotive professionals.

Competitive salaries remain one of the biggest influences on recruitment and should never be overlooked. However, our poll suggests that many candidates are considering much more than their monthly pay when deciding whether to stay with their current employer or explore a new opportunity.

That reflects many of the conversations our recruiters have every day. Whilst salary is often what starts the conversation, candidates are equally interested in understanding what their working life will actually look like if they decide to move.

Salary Opens the Conversation

Receiving 44% of responses, higher salary was the most common answer in our poll and reinforces what our recruiters see every day. Candidates want to know they are being paid fairly and that their salary reflects both their experience and the current market.

For employers, regularly reviewing salaries remains essential. A package that attracted strong candidates two or three years ago may no longer be competitive today, particularly where experienced automotive professionals continue to be in high demand.

Our Automotive Salary Guides can help employers benchmark salaries against the wider market and give candidates a clearer understanding of current earning potential across a range of automotive roles.

The Overall Package Is Becoming More Important

Whilst salary received the largest share of responses, a combined 56% of respondents selected work-life balance, career progression or leadership instead. Looking at the results as a whole, the poll suggests candidates are increasingly assessing the complete employment package before deciding whether changing jobs is the right move.

That does not mean salary has become less important. Instead, it suggests candidates are asking a broader question. Rather than simply comparing salaries, they are considering whether a new role will genuinely improve their career and their day-to-day working life.

Employers should therefore think about everything that contributes to the employee experience, including:

• Competitive and transparent salaries.
• Working hours and work-life balance.
• Career progression and training opportunities.
• Supportive leadership and management.
• A positive working environment and company culture.

None of these factors exist in isolation. Together, they shape how candidates perceive an employer and often influence whether somebody chooses to accept an offer or remain with their current business.

Turning Insight into Better Recruitment

Understanding what candidates value is only useful if employers use that insight to strengthen their recruitment strategy.

Every business wants to attract skilled automotive professionals, but our poll suggests that candidates are assessing far more than the salary being advertised. They are looking at the complete employment package and considering whether changing jobs will genuinely improve their career.

That means recruitment should not start and end with a competitive salary. Employers who can clearly communicate what makes their business a good place to work are often in a stronger position when competing for experienced candidates.

Review Salaries Regularly

Salary remains one of the biggest influences on recruitment and should continue to be reviewed against the current market. Candidates are increasingly aware of what similar roles are paying, making it important for employers to benchmark salaries regularly rather than relying on historic pay structures.

Publishing a competitive salary can also encourage more applications by helping candidates quickly understand whether a role matches their expectations.

Promote More Than Just the Salary

Job adverts often focus heavily on pay whilst giving very little information about the wider benefits of working for the business. Our poll suggests candidates are looking for much more than that.

If your business offers structured training, opportunities for progression, flexible working patterns, enhanced holiday entitlement, manufacturer accreditation or a positive team culture, make sure candidates know about it. Those benefits may not appear on a payslip, but they can play an important role in helping somebody choose between two similar opportunities.

Think About the Candidate Experience

The recruitment process also forms part of a candidate's first impression of your business. Clear communication, timely feedback and a well-organised interview process all help demonstrate how your company operates and can influence whether somebody chooses to accept an offer.

Many candidates are considering several opportunities at the same time, meaning the overall recruitment experience can become another factor that helps your business stand out.

What Does This Mean for Candidates?

If you're considering changing jobs, the poll is a useful reminder to think about what you're really hoping to achieve from your next move.

A higher salary may well be your biggest priority, and there's absolutely nothing wrong with that. However, it's worth considering whether a new role also offers the things that will make a difference six months or even several years down the line.

Before applying for a new role, ask yourself:

• Will this role improve my work-life balance?
• Can I see opportunities to progress?
• Does the business invest in training and development?
• Does the company culture feel like the right fit?
• Am I changing jobs purely for more money, or am I improving my career overall?

Having clear answers to those questions can make it much easier to identify opportunities that genuinely improve your career rather than simply offering something different.

If you're thinking about your next move, our Motor Trade CV Advice explains what recruiters look for during the recruitment process, whilst our guide to Recruiters vs Job Boards explores why many candidates secure opportunities they would never have found through a traditional job search.

Final Thoughts

Our LinkedIn poll asked a simple question, but the results provide an interesting insight into what many motor trade professionals value most in their career.

Salary received the largest share of responses, reinforcing the importance of offering competitive pay within today's recruitment market. However, the fact that more than half of respondents chose work-life balance, career progression or leadership instead suggests candidates are increasingly considering the complete employment package before deciding whether to change jobs.

For employers, that presents an opportunity. Competitive salaries remain essential, but they are only one part of what makes a business attractive to prospective employees. Organisations that also invest in their people, communicate opportunities for progression and create a positive working environment are often better placed to attract and retain skilled automotive professionals.

For candidates, the results are a reminder that the best career move is not always measured by salary alone. Finding a role that supports your ambitions, improves your work-life balance and offers long-term opportunities can often prove just as valuable as an increase in pay.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do motor trade employees want from their jobs?

Our July 2026 LinkedIn poll found that higher salary was the most common response, with 44% of motor trade professionals saying they would most like to improve their earnings. However, a combined 56% of respondents chose work-life balance, career progression or leadership instead, suggesting that many candidates are looking beyond salary alone when considering their career.

Is salary still the biggest factor when changing jobs?

Salary remains one of the biggest influences on recruitment, particularly in a competitive market where experienced automotive professionals are in high demand. However, our recruiters regularly find that candidates also consider factors such as work-life balance, career development, leadership and company culture before deciding whether to accept a new role.

Why is work-life balance becoming more important in the motor trade?

Many candidates are placing greater value on achieving a healthier balance between work and their personal life. Working hours, weekend commitments, commuting time and flexibility are becoming increasingly important considerations when comparing job opportunities.

How can automotive employers attract and retain skilled candidates?

Offering a competitive salary remains important, but employers should also focus on the overall employment package. Opportunities for career progression, supportive leadership, training, a positive working environment and a good employer reputation can all influence recruitment and long-term employee retention.

How can candidates find the right motor trade job?

Before beginning a job search, it is worth identifying what you are hoping to improve. For some candidates that will be salary, whilst others may prioritise work-life balance, progression or a better working environment. Understanding your priorities can help you make a more informed career move.

How can Perfect Placement help employers and candidates?

Perfect Placement has specialised exclusively in automotive recruitment since 2003. We help employers recruit skilled automotive professionals across the UK whilst supporting candidates with career advice, salary insights and access to thousands of motor trade job opportunities.

About the Author

Ashley Camies is Marketing & Automation Manager at Perfect Placement and has worked within automotive recruitment since 2011. Working alongside specialist recruiters across the UK, Ashley combines first-hand recruitment insight with proprietary market data to produce evidence-led content that helps employers attract skilled automotive professionals and supports candidates throughout their careers.