There has been a lot of research done over the years on what truly motivates an individual to change jobs.  As you can imagine, this is a moving target since we are motivated differently at various stages of age and life.  But it generally always seems to boil down to 3 basic human needs:

1 - The need for economic rewards and flexibility is essential to lead ?Comfortable/Good Lives?

2 ? The opportunity to do meaningful work and the opportunity to learn and develop as a person. 

3 ? The need for supportive relationships.

A ?Good Job? satisfies all 3 fundamental human needs.  But we need to understand the differences between these three employment needs.  Some jobs fulfill one or two of the needs, but do not satisfy all three. 

For example, you may have a great paying job that is boring or a low paying job that is very satisfying and challenging.  And of course you may have a great paying, fulfilling job that is managed by a poor leader.

The needs vary from individual to individual, but which ever need is not met at the current employer, then that need usually becomes the motivation for new employment. 

Part of our jobs as recruiting professionals is to understand both our candidates? motivations and which of the ?needs? are they trying to fill in their next job as well as how that ?need? matches what the employer has to offer.  Really understanding all this is critical in identifying the right person for the job and contributing to employee retention.