My Priorities

My job is not my life. I have a life away from my job. I have a family; I have projects of my own.

This is not to say I don't care about my work; I do care. I care about clean code, clear documentation, and correct results. I care about quality and process, about implementation and user interface.

You have the best chance of capturing my interest by offering me

Talented, smart co-workers - people I can talk to, bounce ideas off of, and synchronize with
A collaborative environment - I want to be able to interact with my co-workers to solve problems. Engineers don't need ego problems. No "this is my code and I won't talk about it" for me.
Great ideas, interesting projects - you'll attract my attention, and keep it longer, if I'm engaged in my project
The ability to work regularly in a quiet, well-lit, well-equipped, productive working environment, away from unnecessary distractions and interruptionds.
Hands-off management - tell me what you want done, then leave me alone to do it. But be there when I have questions, and be sure to read my status reports.
Technical accuracy - so many people are content with mediocre work. Let's strive for accuracy through process, careful practices, code reviews, and testing.
A passion for Quality - If you really want to do things The Right Way, I'll be on your team.

However, you will not win me over to your team with offers of

Free food - not bagels in the mornings, not catered lunches, and certainly not company-provided dinners. I eat with my family.
A "fun, casual, and very lively place to work" - I'm here to work, not to party.
Backrubs and massages - I'll visit my chiropractor for these.
Basketball courts - I'm at work to work, thank you anyway.
A "beautiful" location, on a street "packed with quaint shops and diverse restaurants" - I'll do my shopping (and eating out) on my own time.
Friday afternoon beer baashes, barbecues, social events - I have my own social network and I go home at the end of the day.