During an economic downturn, job seekers tend to attach greater importance to the overall compensation and cash incentives they can earn, according to a report by the Hong Kong-founded executive recruitment firm MRIC.

Of the 3,820 professionals interviewed on the Chinese mainland, 35.9 percent requested an increase in overall compensation or commissions, which outweighed other relevant concerns, such as finding a clearer career track or having the opportunity to face more challenges, the report found.

Meanwhile, the number of Chinese mainland respondents dissatisfied with their current level of compensation rose from 54.2 percent last year to 57.8 percent in 2013. Only respondents from Taiwan reported a greater level of dissatisfaction with their current earnings.