If the recruiter indicates that they are restricted by company policy and must start everyone at the bottom end of the scale, then you merely accept the offer by saying, "Okay, I'll take the job. When may I expect a compensation review?" In the civilian world a review is your efficiency report. You either get a raise or you get fired. Anyway, nothing ventured, nothing gained.
Military Retirement Pay Is Irrelevant
If an employer tries to consider your military retirement pay in the negotiation, take a walk. Your retirement pay has absolutely nothing to do with your value in the marketplace. If a company deals with you cheaply, at the beginning, they who deal that way with you for your entire tenure with them. If you really want the job and you think the employer's position is based on lack of knowledge, you can offer a thought to him, such as, "Mr. Jones, I realize you think this is the right way to compensate me for my efforts. I'd like you to consider it as if I'd saved a sum of money over my life. That money is now in the bank, and I'm enjoying the fruits of my savings program in the interest that accrues from the money. Now, if that were the case, would that interest I received every month have anything to do with how much you would pay me to perform these duties for you?" The obvious answer is no, he would not take those funds into account. Generally though, the best advice is to take a walk.
No reputable firm would pay you less because you were receiving money from some other source. If you are asked to provide your salary requirements or expectations, follow the same rule. Consider the median income for the skill in that marketplace and then add 10 percent. Again, be prepared to cite your sources. If you state your case with enough confidence, the recruiter might even feel his wage and salary information is out of date and check to see when the last review was done. This could also work in your favor.
If you decide to think the offer over because of pending interviews with other employers, be sure to ask the interviewer how long the offer is good for. Don't take the chance of waiting too long and losing the opportunity to another candidate.
Benefits
A solid package of benefits can make a weak salary offer look much more inviting. Benefits are a major portion of your total compensation package and can cost a company as much as 20 to 30 percent above your cash salary, including Social Security contributions and unemployment insurance. The following are some of the benefits offered by various companies in today's workplace.
Medical Care
Most companies offer some form of medical insurance. The best will cover you and your family at no cost to you, but many companies are now dropping the family coverage, because of cost. In those cases, you can usually cover your family for an additional premium deducted from your paycheck. Most will include some form of deductible you will have to pay. For military retirees this is not a significant benefit, and you might want to try to negotiate for a little higher wage in lieu of medical coverage. A CHAMPUS supplement will provide as much coverage as you need for yourself and your family and can be easily obtained from your military association. (If you are separating and not retiring, be sure to look into some short-term health program to cover you until you start to work. Again, check with your professional military association.)
Dental Care
This is one benefit everyone needs. Again, most companies offer this benefit to you and might cover your family for a fee, and you probably will have to pay deductibles. If it's not available, you might want to check your fraternal association to see if it offers a plan.
Short- or Long-Term Disability
This is a plan offered by some companies to continue a portion of your pay for varying periods if you are disabled. This is a great benefit to have if something unforeseen happens and you can't work, because you'll know your family will have some income.
Life Insurance
Many companies automatically include life insurance in their benefit packages. The face value of the policy is generally linked to your annual income level.
Parking
Free parking can be a real benefit if you are employed in a center city somewhere. Monthly parking can cost you fifty dollars or more each month, and many companies that don't own their own lots will reimburse employees for parking expenses.
401K Plan
401Ks are savings plans that allow you to save up to 6 percent of your gross salary with the interest being tax-deferred. In these plans the company participates and matches your contribution by fifty cents or more for each dollar you save.
Vesting will occur after a period of years, and most plans will allow you to borrow against your savings. After you are vested, you can withdraw the money upon leaving the company or retiring. Only then will you incur any tax liability.
