What are employers prioritizing when it comes to attracting and retaining talent? Adecco USA and Aberdeen surveyed more than 500 executives in the US for their second-annual C-suite survey and found that 77% say pay is the most important factor.

In addition, more than half of respondents offered health insurance and 401(k) packages to salaried employees. And 40% now offer “softer” benefits such as flexible schedules.

The survey also found that 47% do not prioritize hard or soft skills over the other when vetting candidates, and they weigh a candidate’s happiness as early as the interviewing phase.

In another point, the survey found that less than half of employers offer education courses to their employees, but 61% believe mentorships are important in determining employee happiness.

“In this candidate-driven market, the burden is on employers to offer compelling reasons for candidates to join and remain with their organizations. Right now, part of the conversation is around wages,” said Joyce Russell, president, Adecco USA. “While fair pay is a key driver in securing today’s workforce, employers must also make predictions and be nimble in adopting new solutions as the meaning of ‘best-in-class’ continues to evolve.”