The goal of every job search is to get job offers, and few things feel better in life than getting your first post-military job offer. Veterans leaving the military might be tempted to jump on any offer they happen to get, if for no other reason than the security of having an income when they leave the military. Believe it or not, this is not a good idea.
Newly separated veterans have a history of job hopping, and employers are starting to catch on. Roughly half of separated veterans tend to leave their first post-military job within the first year. Sixty-five percent will leave within two years. Usually, it's because they were overqualified for the job in the first place and got bored or felt underutilized, part of a phenomenon known as underemployment.
Read: How Veterans Can Tell if They're Underemployed
Sure, having an income is of prime importance, but taking a job offer when leaving the military means more than a steady paycheck. Working below one's skills and experience often means getting paid less than one's worth, making it difficult to make ends meet. It can lead to depression and anxiety at a time when veterans are making a difficult transition.
So here are a few things to consider when that sweet, sweet job offer comes rolling in.
1. The Pay
Money isn't everything, but it's something. Veterans are used to doing a lot with a little, especially in terms of take home pay, but this check won't include a Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) or a Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS), and health care now has a price tag. The salary or wage needs to do more than pay the bills; it needs to allow for vets to live life. There are more things to think about in the civilian world.
Since veterans will no longer live on or near a base, they need to consider the cost of getting to work. What's the cost of living in the new area? Will a new wardrobe be required? Will they need child care? Does it leave enough to save for retirement or for vacations? Civilian jobs can also come with quarterly or annual bonuses, so does this job offer include performance bonuses?
All of these things should be taken into consideration, aside from the hourly wage or annual salary.
2. Other Benefits
Every company has its own comprehensive compensation package on top of the pay it offers. These packages can vary based on the size of the company and its market capitalization, but even smaller companies can be competitive to get great talent. Many companies have retirement plans (like an IRA), but a lot of companies offer pre-tax matching funds up to a certain percentage.
Profit sharing is another monetary perk offered by many companies. This allows employees to purchase pre-tax shares of company stock and benefit from its growth and success. As they grow with the company, other packages can include stock options.
Other benefits can address many of the issues raised in the previous list item. Many companies have on-site child care, offer reimbursement for commuting costs or include allowances for clothing items needed to do the job. Find out what those benefits might be.
3. Company Culture
Chances are that this new job offer will include a tour of the workspace when the offer is made. As they go around the potential new office, vets should consider whether they really see themselves working there. Is it too formal? Maybe it's not formal enough. People used to the freedom of open space might not be OK with a cubicle farm with few windows. Do employees seem happy?
When veterans are stressing about getting their first post-military job, caring about the dress code or where they might be eating lunch might seem like putting the cart before the horse. In the long run, however, these things matter in everyday life.
4. Development Opportunities
In the military, veterans might take for granted that advancement will come. They put their time in, learned their job, performed it to the best of their abilities and, eventually, earned a new rank or position. This is not how the civilian world works. When employees are really good at their job, many bosses will want to keep them doing that job. It keeps their world stable and humming.
Many companies, however, offer free training and certification programs for their employees to advance their careers. This can come in the form of an annual allowance or reimbursement. It can also come in the form of on-site training classes. Either allows for career advancement within the company or outside it.
In this same vein, newly separated veterans should find out what the advancement opportunities are in their potential new company. Does the company promote from within? Are there chances for getting into management positions? These are all fair questions to ask.
5. Personal Needs
Whether Elon Musk likes it or not, remote work is here to stay. Many companies have embraced remote work to hire and retain good talent. Finding out whether remote work, a hybrid system or even flexible scheduling are an option might be the decision point that makes or breaks a job offer.
Other areas to ask about include time off for vacations, sick days, personal days and other kinds of leave. Family issues, chronic illnesses and child care are all excellent reasons to find out how much time one can be away from the office, especially when it affects loved ones.
-- Blake Stilwell can be reached at blake.stilwell@military.com. He can also be found on Twitter @blakestilwell or on LinkedIn.
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