Military personnel are used to operating in a controlled environment where the common answers to questions involve a terse “Yes, ma'am,” or “No, sir” and where orders aren't questioned. When veterans are off duty, though, they are used to taking advantage of discounts or privileges that are offered to them as a benefit of their service. Negotiation is a part of the fabric of military life, though it is usually after work hours.
Private sector employees work in almost the opposite way. Because of this difference, veterans may feel confused when they enter the private sector and may benefit from negotiation training or conflict resolution training. In the civilian world, some negotiation is part of accepting a new organizational position or a task. With the difference between the civilian and the military world, veterans need to be prepared to apply their negotiation techniques in their work life.
For service members entering the private workforce, remembering these tips about negotiation will go a long way toward the adjustment to civilian life:
Veterans bring a unique set of skills and experiences to the marketplace. Though assignments are not generally negotiated in the military, they are in the private sector. It is critical to remember that while negotiating terms for a private sector career is appropriate, it must be done respectfully with a goal to both get good terms for the employee and to be cooperative with the employer at the same time. In the end, veterans have a great deal to offer and should feel comfortable negotiating for their market value. The greatest success in negotiation comes when a “win/win” agreement is struck and both the employer and the veteran feel that they have won the "battle".
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