{"id":848,"date":"2026-07-23T17:57:22","date_gmt":"2026-07-23T09:57:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/imcenglish.com\/?p=848"},"modified":"2026-07-23T17:57:47","modified_gmt":"2026-07-23T09:57:47","slug":"discuss-what-matters-most-at-work","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/imcenglish.com\/en\/discuss-what-matters-most-at-work\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Talk About What Matters Most at Work"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Companies used to pick candidates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Now, more and more candidates are picking companies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That shift matters. Especially in Taiwan\u2019s labor shortage. If you are job hunting, you are not just answering questions anymore. You are also judging the company. You are comparing offers. You are checking whether the job fits your life, not just your resume.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This is why <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/imcenglish.com\/\u82f1\u6587\u53e3\u8aaa\u7df4\u7fd2\/\">English speaking practice<\/a><\/strong> matters a lot. You need English that helps you clearly explain your priorities. Not perfect English. Useful English.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The New Reality: The Top 10 Job Conditions YZ Candidates Care About<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">recent <a href=\"https:\/\/dailyview.tw\/daily\/5322\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The DailyView article examined the top 10 job-seeking conditions for Gen Y and Gen Z.<\/a>. The big message was simple: <strong>High salary still matters, but salary alone is not enough.<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The old model was:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Take the higher salary  <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Accept the pressure  <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Be grateful for the opportunity<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The new model is:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Compare the full package  <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Consider self-worth and quality of life.  <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Choose work that fits your long-term goals<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That change is happening because of two things:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Labor shortage<\/strong>  <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Two-way evaluation<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In other words, companies are evaluating candidates, but candidates are also evaluating companies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">They look at things like:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Office lighting  <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ventilation  <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Seating  <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Noise  <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Cleanliness  <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Flexibility  <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Training  <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Growth path<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">They also want to know if a company offers:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>AI tools  <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>AI training  <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Mentorship  <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Better benefits  <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Career stability<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">According to the DailyView ranking, the TOP 10 factors were:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Salary increase range<\/strong>  <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Departing on time<\/strong>  <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Promotion opportunities<\/strong>  <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Interest alignment or using what you studied<\/strong>  <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Company size<\/strong>  <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Commute time<\/strong>  <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Work environment<\/strong>  <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Personal growth<\/strong>  <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Company benefits<\/strong>  <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Salary<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Some details stand out:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Salary is still number one.  <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>But benefits, growth, environment, and commute also rank high  <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Many job seekers now care about whether they can leave work on time.  <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>AI literacy is becoming a basic expectation, not a bonus.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you want more support with speaking clearly under pressure, this post on <a href=\"https:\/\/IMCEnglish.com\/%E8%8B%B1%E6%96%87%E5%8F%A3%E8%AA%AA%E7%B7%B4%E7%BF%92\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">English speaking practice<\/a> is a good place to start. You can also read <a href=\"https:\/\/IMCEnglish.com\/what-teaching-english-taught-me-about-helping-you-speak-with-confidence\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">What Teaching English Taught Me About Helping You Speak With Confidence<\/a> If speaking up still feels hard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Framework: Compare-Choose<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When talking about job priorities in English, it's helpful to keep it simple. At IMCEnglish.com, I often teach a <strong>Compare-Choose Framework<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It works like this:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Compare the old model with the new value<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">First, highlight the difference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Examples:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>\u201cIn the past, I mostly focused on salary.\u201d  <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\u201cI used to think promotion speed was the most important thing.\u201d  <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\u201cBefore, I accepted long commutes if the company name was strong.\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Choose your real priority now<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Then state what matters to you now, and why.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Examples:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>\u201cNow, I prioritize flexibility because it helps me do better work.\u201d  <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\u201cNow, I'm looking for a role with stronger mentorship and growth.\u201d  <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\u201cNow, I care more about my work environment and commute time.\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This framework helps you sound:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Clear  <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Adult  <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Practical<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You're not complaining. You're demonstrating that you understand your priorities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.marblism.com\/1BaGPIT5GO2.webp\" alt=\"Two Taiwanese professionals in a modern office having a transparent and supportive conversation about workplace culture.\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Guided Practice: 3 English Prompts for Talking About Job Priorities<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If interviews make you freeze, start here. Keep your answer short. Then add one reason.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What matters most to you when choosing a job?\u201c<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Model Answer:<\/strong><br>\u201cSalary is still important to me, but it\u2019s not the only factor. I also care about benefits, personal growth, and whether the team has a healthy work-life boundary.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How do you evaluate a company during the interview process?\u201c<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Model Answer:<\/strong><br>\u201cI pay attention to the work environment, communication style, and whether the company supports employee growth. I also look at whether the company offers training, including AI-related tools or skills.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Would you choose a bigger company or a smaller one?\u201c<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Model Answer:<\/strong><br>\u201cIt depends on the full package. A bigger company may offer more structure and stability, but a smaller company may give faster learning opportunities. I would choose the one that matches my current goals.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you want more real-world speaking structure, this related post on <a href=\"https:\/\/imcenglish.com\/%e8%8b%b1%e8%aa%9e%e6%9c%83%e8%a9%b1%e6%84%8f%e5%9c%96\/\">Why I Use Conversation Frameworks, Not Textbooks<\/a> will help you organize your answers faster.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Case Study: Lisa the PM Compares Two Job Offers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Lisa is a PM in Taipei. She is choosing between two job offers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Offer A<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Higher salary  <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Big Company Name  <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Longer commute  <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Less flexibility  <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Unclear mentorship  <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Interviewers seemed rushed and tired.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Offer B<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Slightly lower salary  <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Better benefits  <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Shorter commute  <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Clear one-on-one support  <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Improved work environment  <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>More opportunities to participate in interdepartmental projects<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At first, Lisa focused on salary. That was her old habit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Then she used the <strong>Compare-Choose Framework<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Compare<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She told herself:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>&#8220;Offer A gives me more money right now.&#8221;  <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>&#8220;But Offer B gives me stronger long-term support.&#8221;  <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>&#8220;I\u2019m not only choosing a salary. I\u2019m choosing a daily life.&#8221;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Choose<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Then she made her decision:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>She chose Offer B  <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>She prioritized growth, commute, benefits, and work environment  <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>She decided that a healthier setup would help her perform better over time<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Lisa also paid attention to the interview experience. She noticed whether people explained the role clearly. She looked at the office setup. She asked about mentorship and AI training. This is <strong>two-way evaluation<\/strong> in action.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Her final explanation in English was simple:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;Salary matters, but I also care about growth, support, and sustainability. I want a role where I can contribute well and keep developing over time.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That answer sounds professional. It also sounds honest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.marblism.com\/DfsHq50pmYA.webp\" alt=\"Lisa the PM looking empowered and calm as she looks out at the city skyline from her modern office window.\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What You Can Say in Real Life<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you are preparing for interviews, try these sentence starters:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>&#8220;In the past, I focused on&#8230;&#8221;  <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>&#8220;Now, I prioritize&#8230;&#8221;  <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>&#8220;What matters most to me is&#8230;&#8221;  <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>&#8220;I\u2019m looking for a role that offers&#8230;&#8221;  <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>&#8220;I also pay attention to&#8230;&#8221;  <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>&#8220;For me, long-term growth is important because&#8230;&#8221;  <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>&#8220;I want a work environment where&#8230;&#8221;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You do not need long answers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You need answers that are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Easy to say  <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Easy to repeat  <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>True for you<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That is the goal of <strong>English conversation class<\/strong> at IMCEnglish.com. We practice the kind of English you actually need for interviews, meetings, and real decisions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Key Vocabulary Glossary<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th>Term<\/th><th>Meaning<\/th><th>Example Sentence<\/th><th>Chinese instructions<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>labor shortage<\/td><td>A situation where companies cannot find enough workers.<\/td><td>&#8220;The labor shortage has made companies compete harder for talent.&#8221;<\/td><td>\u5c31\u662f\u300c\u7f3a\u5de5\u300d\u3002\u73fe\u5728\u5f88\u591a\u516c\u53f8\u4e0d\u662f\u627e\u4e0d\u5230\u5de5\u4f5c\uff0c\u662f\u627e\u4e0d\u5230\u4eba\uff0c\u6240\u4ee5\u6c42\u8077\u8005\u7684\u9078\u64c7\u6b0a\u8b8a\u5927\u4e86\u3002<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>two-way evaluation<\/td><td>A situation where both sides assess each other.<\/td><td>&#8220;Job interviews have become a two-way evaluation process.&#8221;<\/td><td>\u5c31\u662f\u96d9\u5411\u8a55\u4f30\uff0c\u4e0d\u662f\u53ea\u6709\u516c\u53f8\u5728\u770b\u4f60\uff0c\u4f60\u4e5f\u5728\u770b\u9019\u9593\u516c\u53f8\u503c\u4e0d\u503c\u5f97\u53bb\u3002<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>work-life boundary<\/td><td>A clear limit between work time and personal time.<\/td><td>&#8220;I need a strong work-life boundary to stay productive.&#8221;<\/td><td>\u9019\u500b\u5b57\u5f88\u9069\u5408\u8b1b\u4e0a\u4e0b\u73ed\u754c\u7dda\u3002\u610f\u601d\u662f\u5de5\u4f5c\u6b78\u5de5\u4f5c\uff0c\u751f\u6d3b\u6b78\u751f\u6d3b\uff0c\u4e0d\u60f3\u4e00\u76f4\u88ab\u5de5\u4f5c\u5403\u6389\u3002<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>mentorship<\/td><td>Guidance from a more experienced person.<\/td><td>&#8220;A good mentorship system can help new employees grow faster.&#8221;<\/td><td>\u5c31\u662f\u6709\u524d\u8f29\u5e36\u4f60\u3001\u6559\u4f60\uff0c\u4e0d\u662f\u4e1f\u4f60\u81ea\u5df1\u6478\u7d22\u3002\u5c0d\u525b\u9032\u65b0\u516c\u53f8\u7684\u4eba\u5f88\u91cd\u8981\u3002<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>dual-track career<\/td><td>A system with two different promotion paths.<\/td><td>&#8220;The company offers a dual-track career path for managers and specialists.&#8221;<\/td><td>\u6307\u96d9\u8ecc\u8077\u6daf\u767c\u5c55\u3002\u4f60\u4e0d\u4e00\u5b9a\u53ea\u80fd\u8d70\u7ba1\u7406\u8077\uff0c\u4e5f\u53ef\u4ee5\u8d70\u5c08\u696d\u8077\u7684\u8def\u7dda\u3002<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>transition bonus<\/td><td>Extra money given when someone changes into a new role or company.<\/td><td>&#8220;The company offered a transition bonus during the trial period.&#8221;<\/td><td>\u9019\u7a2e\u662f\u8f49\u8077\u734e\u91d1\uff0c\u901a\u5e38\u662f\u516c\u53f8\u60f3\u964d\u4f4e\u4f60\u63db\u5de5\u4f5c\u7684\u58d3\u529b\uff0c\u8b93\u4f60\u6bd4\u8f03\u6562\u8a66\u3002<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>promotion opportunity<\/td><td>A chance to move to a higher role.<\/td><td>&#8220;Promotion opportunity is important, but it\u2019s not my only priority.&#8221;<\/td><td>\u5c31\u662f\u5347\u9077\u6a5f\u6703\u3002\u5f88\u591a\u4eba\u6703\u5728\u610f\uff0c\u4f46\u73fe\u5728\u901a\u5e38\u4e0d\u6703\u53ea\u770b\u9019\u4e00\u9805\u3002<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>personal growth<\/td><td>Improvement in your skills, mindset, or career ability.<\/td><td>&#8220;I want a role that supports personal growth through training and feedback.&#8221;<\/td><td>\u5c31\u662f\u500b\u4eba\u6210\u9577\u3002\u50cf\u662f\u5b78\u65b0\u6280\u80fd\u3001\u8de8\u90e8\u9580\u5408\u4f5c\u3001\u6709\u4eba\u5e36\u4f60\uff0c\u9019\u4e9b\u90fd\u7b97\u3002<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>flexible benefits<\/td><td>Benefits employees can use based on their own needs.<\/td><td>&#8220;Flexible benefits are more attractive than one-size-fits-all perks.&#8221;<\/td><td>\u5c31\u662f\u5f48\u6027\u798f\u5229\u3002\u4e0d\u662f\u516c\u53f8\u5e6b\u4f60\u6c7a\u5b9a\u5168\u90e8\uff0c\u800c\u662f\u4f60\u53ef\u4ee5\u7167\u81ea\u5df1\u7684\u9700\u8981\u53bb\u4f7f\u7528\u3002<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>commute time<\/td><td>The time it takes to travel to work.<\/td><td>&#8220;Commute time affects my energy and daily schedule.&#8221;<\/td><td>\u5c31\u662f\u901a\u52e4\u6642\u9593\u3002\u9019\u500b\u771f\u7684\u5f88\u5be6\u969b\uff0c\u592a\u9577\u7684\u8a71\uff0c\u6bcf\u5929\u90fd\u6703\u5f88\u7d2f\u3002<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>work environment<\/td><td>The physical and social conditions of a workplace.<\/td><td>&#8220;I care about the work environment, not just the salary.&#8221;<\/td><td>\u5c31\u662f\u5de5\u4f5c\u74b0\u5883\uff0c\u4e0d\u53ea\u8fa6\u516c\u5ba4\u6f02\u4e0d\u6f02\u4eae\uff0c\u4e5f\u5305\u62ec\u5435\u4e0d\u5435\u3001\u8212\u4e0d\u8212\u670d\u3001\u6c23\u6c1b\u597d\u4e0d\u597d\u3002<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>AI literacy<\/td><td>Basic ability to understand and use AI tools.<\/td><td>&#8220;AI literacy is becoming an important skill in many jobs.&#8221;<\/td><td>\u5c31\u662f AI \u7d20\u990a\u3002\u73fe\u5728\u5f88\u591a\u4eba\u9762\u8a66\u6642\u4e5f\u6703\u770b\u516c\u53f8\u6709\u6c92\u6709 AI \u5de5\u5177\u3001\u6703\u4e0d\u6703\u63d0\u4f9b\u76f8\u95dc\u8a13\u7df4\u3002<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you want to practice this kind of English in a supportive way, I can help. At IMCEnglish.com, we use practical <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/imcenglish.com\/\u82f1\u6587\u53e3\u8aaa\u7df4\u7fd2\/\">English speaking practice<\/a><\/strong> to help you speak more clearly in interviews, work conversations, and everyday situations. If you don&#8217;t like it, you don&#8217;t have to pay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/IMCEnglish.com\/book-lesson\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Book a trial lesson at IMCEnglish.com today<\/a> <strong>and let\u2019s practice English you can actually use.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div><script type=\"application\/ld+json\">{\n    \"@type\": \"BlogPosting\",\n    \"image\": \"https:\\\/\\\/cdn.marblism.com\\\/YGj6XIFwYgo.webp\",\n    \"author\": {\n        \"name\": \"Michael Cannon\",\n        \"@type\": \"Person\"\n    },\n    \"@context\": \"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\n    \"headline\": \"Work-Life Balance Is Non-Negotiable: How to Talk About What You Really Want in a Job\",\n    \"publisher\": {\n        \"logo\": {\n            \"url\": \"https:\\\/\\\/cdn.marblism.com\\\/x75geEMGaC4.png\",\n            \"@type\": \"ImageObject\"\n        },\n        \"name\": \"IMC English\",\n        \"@type\": \"Organization\"\n    },\n    \"articleBody\": \"Salary used to be the only thing that mattered. If a company offered more money, you took the job. You accepted the long hours, the late-night emails, and the 'face time' culture because that was the price of success. But things have changed. In today's job market, the old rules are being rewritten. For many professionals in Taiwan, a high salary is no longer enough to compensate for a toxic environment or a lack of personal time. We are seeing a massive shift in what people value most. Now, work-life balance, flexibility, and mental health support are often the deciding factors. If a job doesn't respect your boundaries, it's a 'no.' According to a recent report by DailyView on the top 10 job-seeking conditions for the 'YZ Generation', salary is just one piece of the puzzle. The modern Taiwanese professional is looking for psychological and environmental comfort. They want to know: Can I leave on time? Is there flexibility in my hours? Does the company culture value transparency, or is everything a secret until the last minute? The data from Cheers magazine reveals a startling reality: many young professionals feel they only have 5.7 hours left for themselves each day. This has led to trends like 'micro-retirement' and 'quiet quitting'. Deloitte\\u2019s 2026 Global Gen Z and Millennial Survey confirms this isn't just a local trend. Toxic workplace culture is now cited as a reason for turnover 10.4 times more often than salary alone. In a labor shortage, the power has shifted. You are no longer just being evaluated by the company; you are evaluating them. At IMCEnglish.com, I teach my students the Compare-Choose Framework to help them articulate these shifts. Lisa, a PM, recently chose her current company over a higher-paying offer because it offered better psychological safety. Asking for what you need is a sign of professional maturity. Practice these conversations to build the career you actually want.\",\n    \"description\": \"Learn how to talk about work-life balance and flexibility in English. Explore the shift in Taiwanese workplace values and how to use the Compare-Choose framework to advocate for your needs.\",\n    \"datePublished\": \"2026-07-23\"\n}<\/script><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Companies used to pick candidates. Now, more and more c [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":847,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-848","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/imcenglish.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/848","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/imcenglish.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/imcenglish.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/imcenglish.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/imcenglish.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=848"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/imcenglish.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/848\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":849,"href":"https:\/\/imcenglish.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/848\/revisions\/849"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/imcenglish.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/847"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/imcenglish.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=848"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/imcenglish.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=848"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/imcenglish.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=848"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}