Salary & benefit negotiations
- Thread starter Lostinthewoods
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ismith
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What inflation?
Johnny Bravo
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There is ZERO companies that do this, nice try….lol
Funny iv had it happen at two or three jobs now. It’s called COLA
What type of industry?
Utilities. Federal and state agencies and one private
Lots of good info here and you're in a great position to negotiate. A few things to ponder;
Security Clearance: Adds massive value to your negotiation powers if you already have one and needed for future employment.
GI Bill: Lots of jobs that will accept your GI Bill in a non traditional format, such as apprenticeships, so if you don't like what you hear, an apprenticeship is an incredible avenue.
Skill bridge: if you have the option, use this program as an avenue to get you into a position prior to leaving the service, especially if the place you're looking into offers a skill bridge option.
I come from a safety background myself, those degrees are great, but the professional certifications that the military will pay for while you're still active duty are the money makers.
If you have any questions at all, regarding VA stuff, educational stuff, or what's it like post active duty, just ask. There's a good crowd of us on here that's been in your shoes.
The State of Missouri has a solid veterans department with VSO's that are paid to help you. Use and abuse them.
Security Clearance: Adds massive value to your negotiation powers if you already have one and needed for future employment.
GI Bill: Lots of jobs that will accept your GI Bill in a non traditional format, such as apprenticeships, so if you don't like what you hear, an apprenticeship is an incredible avenue.
Skill bridge: if you have the option, use this program as an avenue to get you into a position prior to leaving the service, especially if the place you're looking into offers a skill bridge option.
I come from a safety background myself, those degrees are great, but the professional certifications that the military will pay for while you're still active duty are the money makers.
If you have any questions at all, regarding VA stuff, educational stuff, or what's it like post active duty, just ask. There's a good crowd of us on here that's been in your shoes.
The State of Missouri has a solid veterans department with VSO's that are paid to help you. Use and abuse them.
Bullshot
Well-known member
Although Rie says it happens, this is a rare or nonexistent guarantee in most companies. You just have to remain vigilant and advocate for yourself at appropriate intervals and at reviews. Start off fair. Then Earn 1st, ask, and ye shall (more often than not hopefully) receive enough to meet/beat COLA each year and over time gain promotions. Also, I am on board with thinking that 4 weeks is a good goal (and maybe your red line at this stage). With your experience, you could easily ask for a bit more money and maybe a lot more money if it was in a different region, but more vacation is pretty much off the table at 5 and most people with that much have been with the specific org a long while, not typically offered to new employees no matter their experience, unless they are hard recruiting you from another job or you are an owner/top executive. You can softly ask (in context of considering accepting a salary otherwise below your mark) but demand that and you are likely pushing hard on people interviewing you who themselves don't have 5.
* if company has “PTO” and not vacation/ sick differentiated, perhaps then push comparatively harder for that extra week. My company offers a week of sick time and seperately, vacation. Sick is on the honor system, no doc note needed, so you can see where that typically ends up… cough cough. But I only used 3 out of my 5 sick this year. I like not being the proud nail when the bosses want to go to swing a hammer.
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Just a random update, but I got an email yesterday from the site director. He wants to schedule a site visit in February!
He'd like a couple of hours for more talking and then to show me around.
My guess is that might be the place I get cornered and asked what I am looking for regarding a salary.
So, I will have some responses in my pocket. I really want to just respond similar to the way I did before.
Explain coming from the military salary negotiation was never a thing and we always had a outline of what we are in for. Then ask what the general range is for that position.
I will also have my desired number (BATNA - thanks @Treeshark ) in the back of my mind though so I do have at least something to talk on.
This is fun stuff.
He'd like a couple of hours for more talking and then to show me around.
My guess is that might be the place I get cornered and asked what I am looking for regarding a salary.
So, I will have some responses in my pocket. I really want to just respond similar to the way I did before.
Explain coming from the military salary negotiation was never a thing and we always had a outline of what we are in for. Then ask what the general range is for that position.
I will also have my desired number (BATNA - thanks @Treeshark ) in the back of my mind though so I do have at least something to talk on.
This is fun stuff.
This is a fantastic answer with lots of good insight.
Good luck @Lostinthewoods.
Finding the right "fit" for work, culture, and people is huge...hope it works out for you.
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I had my walk through on Wednesday.
The first hour was another panel interview (first in person) with the director of manufacturing, four managers, and an HR member.
The second hour was my very thorough walkthrough.
I was honestly expecting them to bring up salary stuff because we were in person, but it didn’t come up.
Feedback through my network was REALLY good and I have a feeling I’m getting a job offer this upcoming week.
So the negotiations are about to begin.
One thing I am excited about and didn’t know before. Most jobs are 4 day work weeks…. 530-4.
That means 3 day weekends for hunting, fishing, or growing a little side work venture.
Let’s see what happens….
The first hour was another panel interview (first in person) with the director of manufacturing, four managers, and an HR member.
The second hour was my very thorough walkthrough.
I was honestly expecting them to bring up salary stuff because we were in person, but it didn’t come up.
Feedback through my network was REALLY good and I have a feeling I’m getting a job offer this upcoming week.
So the negotiations are about to begin.
One thing I am excited about and didn’t know before. Most jobs are 4 day work weeks…. 530-4.
That means 3 day weekends for hunting, fishing, or growing a little side work venture.
Let’s see what happens….
W
What state is this job in?
3 days off is so good for the family life/ personal life balance!
What state is this job in?
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I’m very excited about that as a possibility. It’s going to be a nice change from the current situation!
Missouri.
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This is the perfect group to ask this question to…..
AS OF NOW, the military has program where I can intern at a company for up to 180 days prior to the date of my separation.
Companies can take us on to on-board and train us while I maintain my current military check.
So here is my current “first world problem dilemma” and the best way I can explain this is I have two courses of action.
Each one has different pros and cons.
1) Start the internship as soon as possible (target would be August 1), show them I’m a stud, then around Nov 15th accept a position from them and double dip (while on terminal leave) from Nov 15-Dec 31st. Then retire Jan 1 and transition is complete.
2) Take my terminal leave August 15 to Sept 30, start internship Oct 1-Dec 31, accept job and transition into it Jan 1.
Now let’s deep dive with some additional factors.
- THIS IS MY FINAL YEAR TO APPLY AND DRAW TAGS AS A NM RESIDENT.
Jan 1, 2026 I will legally need to change my residency to Missouri so I lose out on my mighty fine draw odds.
Some of you may laugh at this, but NM has been REALLY good to me the last 10 years.
8 elk tags
3 deer tags
1 oryx tag
2 antelope tags
If I take the august and September off option I will prioritize New Mexico tags and then supplement in Colorado or Wyoming hunts and just go crazy. This also includes Kentucky and Missouri whitetail.
- The longer I intern the more negotiating power I may have?
Interesting fact and it goes into what we’ve been talking about already; they have not tried to negotiate with me yet. I think it’s going to happen during the intern time. I’m actually thrilled about that because now I can show my skills and have more proof when I negotiate for a better number verse just a cold applicant.
- Double dip time with no western hunts would likely equate to a $12K-$15K swing.
I think that’s all the relevant info that one would need to make a decision.
I think I know what I want to do, but I’m very interested in what you all have to say being we have such a diverse group of people.
AS OF NOW, the military has program where I can intern at a company for up to 180 days prior to the date of my separation.
Companies can take us on to on-board and train us while I maintain my current military check.
So here is my current “first world problem dilemma” and the best way I can explain this is I have two courses of action.
Each one has different pros and cons.
1) Start the internship as soon as possible (target would be August 1), show them I’m a stud, then around Nov 15th accept a position from them and double dip (while on terminal leave) from Nov 15-Dec 31st. Then retire Jan 1 and transition is complete.
2) Take my terminal leave August 15 to Sept 30, start internship Oct 1-Dec 31, accept job and transition into it Jan 1.
Now let’s deep dive with some additional factors.
- THIS IS MY FINAL YEAR TO APPLY AND DRAW TAGS AS A NM RESIDENT.
Jan 1, 2026 I will legally need to change my residency to Missouri so I lose out on my mighty fine draw odds.
Some of you may laugh at this, but NM has been REALLY good to me the last 10 years.
8 elk tags
3 deer tags
1 oryx tag
2 antelope tags
If I take the august and September off option I will prioritize New Mexico tags and then supplement in Colorado or Wyoming hunts and just go crazy. This also includes Kentucky and Missouri whitetail.
- The longer I intern the more negotiating power I may have?
Interesting fact and it goes into what we’ve been talking about already; they have not tried to negotiate with me yet. I think it’s going to happen during the intern time. I’m actually thrilled about that because now I can show my skills and have more proof when I negotiate for a better number verse just a cold applicant.
- Double dip time with no western hunts would likely equate to a $12K-$15K swing.
I think that’s all the relevant info that one would need to make a decision.
I think I know what I want to do, but I’m very interested in what you all have to say being we have such a diverse group of people.
HappyCamper
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Can you delay your decision until after the NM results are final?
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Great question.
With results being around April 26th (approx) it’s possible, but I’d have to drag the process out a little.
Part of me wants to commit to one earlier than later to prevent last minute thrash with the company I want to take me on.
I did originally forecast to them option 2. Start my stuff October 1st.
But now the idea of getting in there early to show my skills, leverage that for a possible higher salary/benefits package, and double dipping has merit.
Forkyfinder
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Id take the 12k, buy some sp500 and/or bitcoin and hunt a damn sheep someday. If you take it out now - earmark it for hunting - and then invest it - your wife cant be too mad cause you spent that money on a hunt years ago.
Just me and my newer strategy
Just me and my newer strategy
elevatorman
Active member
Sometimes you have not if you ask not. It took me years of dealing with companies and changing positions to learn. Once moved jobs, took a .40 pay cut. Why? I sucked at valuing myself.
That company sold out, hr from new company wanted to give me 2 weeks vacation, I said I want 3, he said I can't no else got 3, I said did anyone else ask you? He said no then gave me 3.
Same company wants me to run office now as manager. Wants to give 2 dollar raise, I say not enough but a 4th week vacation could help that number. They think and say ok. I still turn the Job down. They come back and say 5 dollars and the extra week. Ok.
They do annual cost of living raises, I get a 3% raise, other guys got 4%, I'm their top performer, so gotta go raise the question to the manager about why. Ends up giving me the extra percent. Guess they thought guys didn't talk to eachother.
Eventually fed up go to a different company, same per hourr, but better perks like all travel time paid and new company knows I have 4 weeks but does up to 5, I say I want a hard date on 5, so 1yr out I'll be up to a 5th week.
Lots of little things ad up. You gotta go to bat for yourself. If you know you can do the job negotiate strongly for yourself. And let them chase you some and get the negotiations done first. It's easier to negotiate when they still want you and your not there once your hired they don't have much incentive to increase anything.
Im no expert. Just my own experiences.
And yes every Job should be giving a cost of living raise when "people" are driving up costs/inflation. Cost of living going up 10% and you not getting a raise is like you taking a pay cut.
That company sold out, hr from new company wanted to give me 2 weeks vacation, I said I want 3, he said I can't no else got 3, I said did anyone else ask you? He said no then gave me 3.
Same company wants me to run office now as manager. Wants to give 2 dollar raise, I say not enough but a 4th week vacation could help that number. They think and say ok. I still turn the Job down. They come back and say 5 dollars and the extra week. Ok.
They do annual cost of living raises, I get a 3% raise, other guys got 4%, I'm their top performer, so gotta go raise the question to the manager about why. Ends up giving me the extra percent. Guess they thought guys didn't talk to eachother.
Eventually fed up go to a different company, same per hourr, but better perks like all travel time paid and new company knows I have 4 weeks but does up to 5, I say I want a hard date on 5, so 1yr out I'll be up to a 5th week.
Lots of little things ad up. You gotta go to bat for yourself. If you know you can do the job negotiate strongly for yourself. And let them chase you some and get the negotiations done first. It's easier to negotiate when they still want you and your not there once your hired they don't have much incentive to increase anything.
Im no expert. Just my own experiences.
And yes every Job should be giving a cost of living raise when "people" are driving up costs/inflation. Cost of living going up 10% and you not getting a raise is like you taking a pay cut.
HappyCamper
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The money difference is too significant to ignore but in reality I don’t think taking option 1 is going to improve your negotiating position that much.
