What benefit do you deem most important when negotiating/reviewing an offer for a new job?

I selected Vacation/PTO because the ability/necessity to recuperate and enjoy my hard-earned pay are important to me. I don't want to have to wait until retirement to take a real vacation, I want to be able to work AND spend time with family/enjoy myself. As a veteran education reimbursement isn't as key, I like that I have an employer now that provides good matching for my retirement but I have made it without. As a younger veteran I am not worried as much about advancement within a company as it is normal for my generation to move every year or so to continue to advance. Again, finally having an employer that provides good healthcare benefits is nice but I had the VA and although it is not fantastic I made do.

I will have to go with Healthcare as the number 1 option since those costs are sky rocketing out of site for everyone. 401K Contributions come in as a close second and matching of funds, you can always roll out the 401k if you leave the company to take with you to your next employer if need be. The company I work for is real great on the education front in house and that is very helpful and they are pushing it.

Those others are important, but I think health care is at the top of the list, followed closely by 401(k) contributions.

I love this question. I was lucky to have a wife that could hold down the household bills and give me an opportunity to go to school. I will graduate in March and will be planning to negotiate a contractor job. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Health care is only significant if you are not a retiree. When I negotiate for a civilian job I want only 401k and the other benefits get added to my salary.

If government job, advancements and dental/vision. Private job, advancements and full medical.

Ability to obtain more experience and skills and promotion and mobility opportunities. From a strictly benefits side, the 401k as I can continue to obtain health benefits either through the military or my wife's work if necessary.

This is a hard one because so much of it depends on what stage in your career and/or life you are in; I am mid to senior level, single with kids, still a ways off from retiring, and well compensated so Vacation/Paid time off and flexibility are hands-down the most important to me! I spent my late 20's and early 30's working 60+ hours a week, only recently have I been able to strike a balance between work and life...

You have to be able to advance in the company. Chances are everyone who transfers from military to civilian will take a downgrade in status and we have to be able to earn that back.

At this point,, it's flexibility and time off. I'm in pretty good shape with the others!!