Negotiating a starting salary can be a difficult thing for any young, new hire. Veterans who are leaving the military as an adult and working in the civilian sector for the first time are no exception. For many, the idea of negotiating an offered salary can be as daunting as finding their first post-military job.
Though they might be thrilled to get the job offer, veterans need to ensure they can live on the salary offered. If it was less than what they expected or need to take care of themselves or their families, it might be best either to keep looking or negotiate that salary offer.
Underemployment, which includes not making enough money for their lifestyle, is a serious issue in the veteran community. For veterans in transition, it can have seriously harmful physical and psychological consequences that will affect them for years to come.
So when an employer makes that salary offer, here are a few important questions vets might consider asking the interviewer.
1. How Did You Calculate This Salary?
Like everything pertaining to a job interview, veterans should do their research about the job, business, industry and sector in which they're trying to work. When going into a second or third interview, it also helps to know a little bit about the salary for the job they might be hired to do, based on their experience level.
When asking this question during a salary discussion, it shows the employer they have done the research for this aspect of the job as well, and know what the industry standards are. Start with Monster's Salary Guide to learn more about salaries.
2. Are There Opportunities for Bonuses, Overtime or Other Pay Incentives?
Depending on the kind of work the veteran will be doing, there might be more to the job than just base salary. Many in-demand careers offer the opportunity to earn more than a base salary. Sales jobs are known for taking home commissions and yearly bonuses. Many skilled trades offer overtime pay and special holiday pay.
While these seem like exceptional possibilities at first, they can be powerful drivers of income and can even radically change an employee's lifestyle.
3. How Are Future Salary Raises Determined?
This is an important question for all new hires and future employees. No matter what base salary is being offered, a huge part of deciding whether a job is the right fit for someone in the long run is the possibility of salary increases.
If the current economic climate of 2022 is any indication, inflation and other factors can change the value of a base salary. If pay raises at a company can't keep up with the cost of living in that local area, employees may not stay in that job for very long.
4. What Benefits Can We Negotiate Apart from Base Salary?
A benefits package is called that because there's more to what a company might offer than a paycheck. If the salary offered doesn't thrill an applicant, but the job is an important step in their career goals, they might decide that there's another benefit that is also important to them.
Would more vacation time be worth more to a veteran than more money? The company might offer tuition reimbursement or free certifications and training. Veterans struggling with child-care costs might be incentivized by the possibility of remote work. Think about what might make taking a disappointing salary offer more appealing.
5. What Are Some Other Perks that Might Increase Take-Home Pay?
Remote work, advanced training and tuition reimbursement are just a few perks some companies are known for offering. There are other common benefits companies offer that can actually increase the money in a family's wallet every month by reducing costs elsewhere.
Companies in larger or more expensive areas often offer public transport reimbursements so employees don't have to pay for their commutes. Others offer free parking, which can also cut down on commuting costs. Free lunches, gym memberships and on-site facilities can cut a family's expenses while increasing their quality of life. Take a look at the total package and see what might help in these areas.
When the employer and their new veteran hire come to an agreement, there's nothing wrong with asking to get those terms in writing. It negates the possibility of misunderstandings on either side and will provide the veteran peace of mind as they onboard to their new career.
-- Blake Stilwell can be reached at blake.stilwell@military.com. He can also be found on Twitter @blakestilwell or on Facebook.
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