Many Irish workers are unhappy in their job and most dream of sporting stardom or the artistic life, according to a new survey.
The study of workers' motivation by consulting group KPMG also revealed that most workers would leave their job immediately if they had that option.
When asked what their dream job would be, a number said they wanted to travel. Most saw themselves as stars of the football, golf and Formula 1 arenas, while others wanted artistic fulfilment as writers, artists or actors.
Though more than half would like to drive fancy cars such as the BMW 3 Series or the Audi TT, the survey says pay is only a minor consideration when workers choose to join a new firm.
Just 12 per cent of respondents say remuneration is the decisive factor when taking a new job and 37 per cent would be prepared to join a new company with a pay rise of less than 10 per cent. Only 7 per cent said money was their motivation for working.
About 57 per cent said personal and career development was the critical factor when moving job and 39 per cent said the company's future prospects were crucial.
Still, the respondents say there is no such thing as an "ideal company" to work for. The most important concern was the nature of the job, and less than one in five workers wish to work for a blue-chip firm.
The survey says 86 per cent of those surveyed would consider a change in career direction.
"Maybe this is idealistically driven, but it does suggest that a lot of people are unhappy in their present career path," says KPMG.
Carried out last May, the survey of 97 job candidates revealed that 47 per cent wanted to change job, but they believed they could move no higher in their current company. About 10 per cent feared redundancy.
Asked what the "perfect remuneration package" would contain, 24 per cent said a good employer pension scheme was the most important factor.
About 22 per cent cited the availability of stock options or equity, while 21 per cent saw childcare allowances as crucial -and 19 per cent sought flexitime.
Just 9 per cent saw the provision of a car or car allowance as the decisive factor.
