One of the most common pieces of financial advice you get when you transition from the military is … (brace yourself) … KNOW YOUR WORTH.
The person who gives you this advice in an informational interview usually pauses for a moment so you can write it down and the earth can stop shaking.
To the transitioning service member, know your worth sounds like great advice for a job hunter — sort of New Age-y and self-esteem building at the same time. It sounds like the advice-giver is telling you that you have great intrinsic value and you can make a difference in the world so you should never settle.
Which is, quite possibly, true.
Later, though, this advice turns on you — like the milk you ask your mom to smell to see whether it went sour. Instead of making you feel hopeful, it makes you feel like you don’t know what you are doing in the job market.
To read more about how to name your price in the civilian job market, click here.
