A poll of 2,000 workers has identified the key components of a modern-day dream job, including a short commute, your birthday off, friendly colleagues, and the chance to help others. The research, commissioned by British Gas to mark International Women in Engineering Day, found that health plans (46%), mental health days (29%), and gym memberships (27%) are among the most sought-after perks.
Career values and progression
When considering a new role, 33% of respondents said they want a career that reflects their values, while three in 10 prioritise human connection in the workplace. Among women, 32% want a role with opportunities to progress, 32% value human connection, and 27% seek a futureproof career. More than half (51%) of women would also consider a lower salary for a job offering a strong sense of purpose, and nearly eight in 10 (79%) are looking for a job where they can make a positive difference.
Career changes and inspiration
More than four in 10 (46%) of today's workforce are the first in their family to move into a completely different career from their parents. Over a fifth (22%) attribute this to better access to online information. The research also found that 25% of respondents are inspired to consider a career change after seeing someone else make the move online. Of these, 57% of women were influenced because those making changes appeared more fulfilled, and 40% thought online platforms made career changes look more achievable. In fact, 48% of all respondents said social media has made it easier to discover careers they didn't even know existed.
Gender stereotypes and representation
While 51% of workers agree people should feel free to pursue any job regardless of gender, 32% recognise there is still work to be done to challenge stereotypes around 'men's' and 'women's' jobs. Additionally, 57% of respondents want to see people like themselves represented in a role before pursuing it. Amanda Harrison, group director of talent at British Gas, said: “This research really underlines what we're seeing first-hand – women want purposeful work where they can make a genuine difference, and engineering contributes to that. But we can't just hope more women choose the profession - as one of the UK's largest employers of engineers, we have a responsibility to actively make that happen. That means making sure there are visible, positive role models to inspire the next generation.”
Apprenticeships and practical skills
The research also found that 25% of respondents said the opportunity to use hands-on, practical skills is one of the most appealing aspects of a role today. British Gas is committed to ensuring 50% of their apprentices are female. Heidi Aylen, technical repair engineer at British Gas, said: “I came into engineering through the apprenticeship programme, and what struck me most was how balanced and supported everything felt. My training group was 50/50 men and women, our mentors were mixed, and I never once felt like being a woman was a barrier to succeeding. If you're considering engineering but worried it's 'not for people like me' – that's exactly why you should do it. Whether you're just starting out or making a career change, apprenticeships genuinely open doors. And the work itself is really rewarding - you're solving real problems and knowing you've made a genuine impact.”
Top 20 dream job attributes
The poll revealed the top 20 things people associate with their dream job: flexible working hours, job security, colleagues you get along with, a short commute, enhanced pension contributions, private medical insurance, bonuses/commission structure, progression and career development opportunities, opportunities to travel, having your birthday off (paid), company car/car allowance, mental health support (e.g., counselling, wellbeing days), modern office facilities, free gym membership, childcare support, enhanced maternity/paternity leave, social events, paid volunteering days, pet-friendly workplace, and cycle-to-work scheme.
