What We Are Tracking
They Posted the Salary Range – So Negotiation’s Off the Table, Right? Wrong.
Yes, more companies are posting salary ranges now – partly because they have to thanks to new transparency laws, and partly because it helps them attract candidates. And honestly? It’s great for us. No more going into interviews completely blind about what they’re willing to pay.
But here’s what a lot of people don’t realize: those ranges aren’t carved in stone. They’re more like… guidelines. Or starting points for a conversation.
Why You Should Still Negotiate (Even With Posted Ranges)
Think about it this way. When you see a job posting that says “$85,000 to $115,000,” what do you think that means? If you’re like most people, you probably think, “Okay, so somewhere in there.” But what you should be thinking is, “How do I get to that $115,000 – or maybe even higher?”
Here’s the reality: companies post wide ranges because different candidates bring different things to the table. Someone fresh out of college might start at the bottom of that range. Someone with your military background and leadership experience? You should be aiming for the top, minimum.
Many veterans sell themselves short because they think asking for more money is somehow ungrateful or pushy. But in the civilian world, negotiation is part of the process. HR departments expect it. They literally budget for it. If you don’t negotiate, you’re not being humble – you’re leaving money on the table.
Your Secret Weapon: Actually Knowing What People Really Make
How is this possible without being awkward and directly asking...Levels.fyi.
It started out as a tech thing, but it’s expanded way beyond Silicon Valley now. Think of it as your intelligence briefing before you walk into negotiations. Real people doing real jobs share what they actually make – not just base salary, but bonuses, stock options, the whole package.
Let me give you an example. Say you’re looking at a Project Manager role, and the posting says $90,000 to $110,000. You hop on Levels.fyi and find out that people with military backgrounds and similar experience levels are actually getting offers around $105,000 to $115,000, plus sign-on bonuses that weren’t even mentioned in the job posting.
Now you’re armed with information. You know what’s realistic to ask for, and you know you’re not being unreasonable.
It’s Not Just About Base Salary
Here’s something else I wish someone had told me earlier: negotiation isn’t just about that base number. There are so many other things you can and should be talking about.
Vacation time is huge, especially if you’re coming straight from active duty where you might have been working crazy hours. Remote work flexibility can be worth thousands in commuting costs and quality of life. Professional development money, better 401k matching, stock options if the company offers them – it all adds up.
A lot of these things were just automatic when we were in the military. Now you have to actually ask for them. And most companies have some wiggle room, even if they can’t budge on salary.
Getting Over the “I Don’t Want to Rock the Boat” Thing
Look, I get it. We’re trained to focus on the mission, not make waves, be grateful for opportunities. But here’s the thing – in the civilian world, negotiating actually shows that you understand how business works. It demonstrates that you’ve done your homework and you know what you’re worth.
Your first civilian salary sets the tone for everything that comes after. Every raise, every bonus, every job change builds on that foundation. If you start low, you’re playing catch-up for years.
The Bottom Line
Those salary ranges in job postings are a great starting point – they give you valuable information you didn’t have before. But don’t treat them as the final word. Use tools like Levels.fyi to understand what people really make, think beyond just base salary, and remember that negotiation is a normal part of the process.
You’re not asking for a favor. You’re having a business conversation about fair compensation for the value you bring. And trust me, you bring a lot of value.
Your military experience – the leadership, the ability to handle pressure, the project management skills you developed whether you realized it or not – that’s worth something. Make sure you get paid for it.
Want some specific scripts and strategies for negotiating your first civilian job offer? I’m working on a follow-up guide with real examples. Let me know if that would be helpful.
