There a perks and hidden benefits that are connected to almost any job you care to mention. These benefits come in a bewildering variety, and they can not only improve the quality of your work-life but also add real financial value to you basic salary.

In most cases these perks and benefits are either stipulated in your terms of employment or come as part of the particular company's culture. Either way, providing you stay within reason, there is plenty of scope for manoeuvre.

Knowing your worth will help you feel more confident about asking for a perk or a benefit – if you're a big asset to your company, most employers would prefer to provide you with additional benefits rather than see you leave and have to find a replacement.

When randomly available perks, such as free tickets or meals are being dished around, make sure your colleagues and bosses know you are interested. Playing cool could be interpreted as disinterest and you could miss out.

Don't be too selective. Take an active interest in all events, openings, events, not just the ones you are interested in. The freebies will start to come your way when people know you're up for them.

For less random perks, such as home working and sabbaticals, be reasonable and look for a ‘win/win' situation between you, your employer.

Here's a brief look at some of the added value benefits you might expect within certain professions:

• Journalism - Whether it's finance, arts, fashion, cars or food and drink that you specialise in, you'll be sent all sorts of complimentary tickets for previews, trade fairs, exhibitions and conferences. Your press card will also get you into special events and you may even demand better seats for a mention in your publication. Travel and food expenses are a part of your day job when covering events and making contacts.

• Teaching – The obvious benefit of being a teacher or lecturer is the long holiday periods which you can use to indulge in pastimes knowing your job is secure and your salary being paid. You'll also receive funding for career progression, and will get to use your school or college's facilities such as computers, gyms and recreational facilities for free. School meals are heavily subsidised and improving in quality all the time so you enjoy a massive saving at lunchtimes.

• Banking - Enter the world of high finance for one of the top investment banks and it's not just the traders and fund managers who get bonuses, everybody who is contributing to the success of the company will be on a bonus scheme too. Added to this are some of the most generous and sophisticated subsidised staff restaurants anywhere where you'll enjoy high street quality for a fraction of the retail price. Free gym membership, taxi fares for late night working, excellent pension schemes and private health care are all on the agenda.

• Sales and Marketing - There are huge cultural differences between agency-side and client-side, but wherever you sit, you can still get some great perks. Your job may involve courting and entertaining potential clients and contacts, so you'll have an expenses card and the prospect of first class travel and all those power lunches. Within big organisations, the prospect of tickets for big sporting events isn't uncommon and although you may have to do a bit of schmoozing, it's well worth the effort.

• Public sector - Working for any local authority, ministry or public service such as the police or healthcare, you can expect subsidised canteens and excellent holidays - often considerably higher than the private sector. The higher up you go you'll receive a final salary or index-linked pension which are now all but phased out in the private sector. Add in private healthcare, travel allowances, parking and relative job security, and the package is one of the most attractive available.