A new study of job hunters found that corporate culture, greatbenefits, and fulfilling work are valued over high pay.

Employee benefits leader Unumand Monster.com recently surveyed 468 job seekers to inquire abouttheir ideal work environment. The majority of respondants (87percent) said the No. 1 thing they look for in a future employer isa company "that truly cares about the well-being of its employees."The numbers remained roughly the same for both employed andunemployed respndants.

Other characteristics job hunters listed as "very important"include:

• A challenging and fulfilling position (84 percent)
• Job security (82 percent)
• An attractive benefits package (74 percent)

High salary was rated as very important by just 66 percent ofrespondants, and bonuses were "very important" to just over half ofrespondants.

The survey, which also polled human resources leaders, showed astrong connection between caring for the well-being of employeesand financial protection beyond the paycheck:

• The majority of HR leaders (86 percent) indicated thatmaking sure employees and their families are taken care of in theevent something happens is an important reason for providingfinancial protection benefits.
• Eighty-two percent of workers agreed that being offeredfinancial protection benefits shows that a company cares about thewell-being of its employees.

"Employees, job-seekers and human resources leaders understandthe importance of a caring corporate culture in recruiting andkeeping a talented workforce," said Mike Simonds, senior vicepresident for Unum in a statement. "Benefits play an important rolein supporting that culture."

It's not just job seekers who value benefits and corporateculture. An attractive benefits package and an ethical, transparentculture were more likely to be viewed as very important inattracting and retaining staff than were a high starting salary andjob security.

"An engaged workforce is crucial to any company's success,especially at a time when businesses are striving to recover fromthe economic crisis," Simonds said. "A supportive corporate cultureand benefits that help protect the financial stability of employeeshelp build that engagement."