Average Joe
Recycles dryer sheets
- Joined
- Oct 15, 2006
- Messages
- 93
A contractor wants me on board for a contract they are bidding on. They believe having me as program manager on the contract will help them win it. I believe they’re right. But I’ve been in the military my entire adult life and have never negotiated a salary. Obviously I’d rather know their threshold than have them know mine. Any advice on either telling them straight up what I want in terms of compensation or on getting them to tell me what they’re willing to pay?
Here’s some details of the situation: I wasn’t looking. They got my resume from another outfit I’d contacted a couple months ago. That company had some decent positions but nothing that would inspire me to retire right now. I like my present assignment and am in no hurry to leave until I have to. I also have decent potential for promotion a couple years ahead. But if I get a long deployment or bad assignment, having done plenty in the past and now having the choice to retire, I will retire – and can do so instead of accepting another bad deal – that will of course cease to be true for a couple years if I take a move and get bait-and-switched, or if I accept a promotion.
If I find the right position, it’s probably better to make the transition on my terms, vice being vulnerable to having events force my hand. I can meet my lifetime financial goals by spending the next four to five years in the military. To give me the same deal (since I’d be giving up significant pension increases if I retire) a company would have to pay me a bit over three times what the actual average American joe makes and allow me to live in an area where that figure is over twice what I need to live my present LBYM lifestyle. If anyone offers over that amount, in a decent area, for a decent position, with a decent chance of having it continue for a few years, I’m gone.
The company is correct to assume that having me as program manager will make their bid more attractive to the customer. Not only do I have experience in the customer organization but my work there won me a prestigious award. It’s even possible that someone evaluating the bids will know me. I know too well that the position will come with many major headaches but the project itself is worthwhile and interesting to me. It would also require a move to an area that I’d love to move to (they don’t know that).
Last communication, they sent me the details of what the contract will require. It’s big; ongoing operations at dozens of locations in the US and a few overseas, each involving from a small handful to a couple dozen people – plus a requirement to respond to unplanned popup requirements that I’m sure will be a challenge to handle in the timelines required due to the exotic nature of the skills needed.
Now the ball is in my court. I’m to call back to say whether or not I’m interested. I am.
But no one’s mentioned compensation yet. This is embarrassing but I honestly don’t know what is realistic – in the military we don’t negotiate our pay. I’ve been told that the first party to mention money loses. They have requested that I not accept any other offer prior to talking it over with them. They want me on board and this thing is a natural extension of what I’ve done my entire career. But they don’t have the contract yet and I’m not retired yet – it may come down to chicken or egg – can’t take the job unless I put in to retire – won’t put in to retire unless I know I’ll be taking the job.
Here’s some details of the situation: I wasn’t looking. They got my resume from another outfit I’d contacted a couple months ago. That company had some decent positions but nothing that would inspire me to retire right now. I like my present assignment and am in no hurry to leave until I have to. I also have decent potential for promotion a couple years ahead. But if I get a long deployment or bad assignment, having done plenty in the past and now having the choice to retire, I will retire – and can do so instead of accepting another bad deal – that will of course cease to be true for a couple years if I take a move and get bait-and-switched, or if I accept a promotion.
If I find the right position, it’s probably better to make the transition on my terms, vice being vulnerable to having events force my hand. I can meet my lifetime financial goals by spending the next four to five years in the military. To give me the same deal (since I’d be giving up significant pension increases if I retire) a company would have to pay me a bit over three times what the actual average American joe makes and allow me to live in an area where that figure is over twice what I need to live my present LBYM lifestyle. If anyone offers over that amount, in a decent area, for a decent position, with a decent chance of having it continue for a few years, I’m gone.
The company is correct to assume that having me as program manager will make their bid more attractive to the customer. Not only do I have experience in the customer organization but my work there won me a prestigious award. It’s even possible that someone evaluating the bids will know me. I know too well that the position will come with many major headaches but the project itself is worthwhile and interesting to me. It would also require a move to an area that I’d love to move to (they don’t know that).
Last communication, they sent me the details of what the contract will require. It’s big; ongoing operations at dozens of locations in the US and a few overseas, each involving from a small handful to a couple dozen people – plus a requirement to respond to unplanned popup requirements that I’m sure will be a challenge to handle in the timelines required due to the exotic nature of the skills needed.
Now the ball is in my court. I’m to call back to say whether or not I’m interested. I am.
But no one’s mentioned compensation yet. This is embarrassing but I honestly don’t know what is realistic – in the military we don’t negotiate our pay. I’ve been told that the first party to mention money loses. They have requested that I not accept any other offer prior to talking it over with them. They want me on board and this thing is a natural extension of what I’ve done my entire career. But they don’t have the contract yet and I’m not retired yet – it may come down to chicken or egg – can’t take the job unless I put in to retire – won’t put in to retire unless I know I’ll be taking the job.