With the economy picking up, more Americans are looking for new jobs and joining new companies. Workers have many things to look forward to when joining a new company like increased salary, but there are other important factors they must keep in mind when starting a new job.

This year, 21 percent of workers plan on leaving their companies and heading to new positions, a CareerBuilder survey found. That is a 5 percent increase from the previous year.

When taking a new job, it is important for workers to focus on several factors, with salary being just one among many.

Compensation

Of course workers want to know what they will be paid, and it is important to negotiate salary. Workers should know what the appropriate salary is for the position they are seeking. Based on the worker's experience level, a salary may be fair or inappropriate.

"Ask for what you believe you're worth, but do some research,'' said Andy Decker, senior regional president for global staffing firm Robert Half. "Use tools like Indeed.com that have postings. Look at jobs in your area to see what jobs are paying. Come prepared with stats."

During the recession, employees were simply happy to have jobs. This led to many employees seeing their wages stagnate with no raises available for several years. As the economy improves and the number of jobs increases, workers can expect better opportunities for raises and bonuses.

During the job offer process, questions like "Is there a sign on bonus?" and "Are there performance evaluations that result in raises?" are perfectly acceptable.

Benefits and Other Expenses

Salary is important, but so are the benefits provided and additional variables workers could face. Maybe the worker's new job is downtown with limited parking. Negotiating a parking reimbursement plan into the benefits would help the worker keep expenses down.

Benefits are very important for workers. When looking at a job offer, a worker needs to make sure she is satisfied with the benefits, or else negotiate for better options. The worker can ask for higher 401(k) match or for the employer to require less employee contribution to her health insurance plan.

Work-Life Balance

Workers want flexible schedules or the ability to telecommute. Workers should ask their employer if they can work from home on certain days, or arrive later in the morning and stay later in the evenings occasionally. During the offer process, workers can ask about the business needs of the company and ask if a flexible schedule is possible.

Get It in Writing

If workers are successful with negotiating their salaries, benefits, schedules and other factors for their new jobs, they need to make sure to get these conditions in writing. Workers should ask the employer to edit the offer letter to include the agreed additions. If the employer will not put the agreements in writing, workers should email the hiring team and inform them of everything that was agreed upon during negotiation.

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