Understanding Benefits and Compensation with Cedars-Sinai

It's time to look for a job in your new career field. You know the importance of your resume and cover letter, your LinkedIn profile is polished, and you have practiced interview questions for weeks. When you researched the company – you did that, right – did you look at the benefits they offer? Now, you're not going to find all of them spelled out on a website, but you may get some hints.

While in the military, your benefits were pretty good. Uncle Sam paid healthcare, housing allowance and relocation expenses. You also had access to a free gym, discounted childcare and some cool events. Things are a little different in the civilian world, but you will still receive benefits.

Remember, talking about salary and benefits is taboo until a job offer is on the table. That means it's still early enough to research or start listing things that are important to you. Then you'll be prepared to negotiate later. 

Some of the benefits you may need from your new compensation package could include

• Health, dental or vision insurance

• Flexible spending or health savings account

• Vacation time, sick days and company holidays

• Retirement options, matching investments

• Tuition assistance and certification costs covered

• Additionally, as a veteran or military spouse, you'll want to know how the military community is supported at the business. Mentoring programs, statements of support for the Public Private Partnership (P3) and recognition for their support and dedication to hiring veterans will help you know if they are committed to veterans.   

You may have dismissed some fringe benefits as rumors, but they exist. These don't usually make or break the job, but they could sweeten the deal. These may include

• Discounted cell phone plans

• Gym memberships

• Company lunches

• Commuter benefits

• An expense account

• Childcare reimbursement

• A company vehicle

When it comes time to negotiate, look at the entire compensation package and then decide what you need to make this job work. If you don't need health or dental insurance, could you ask for a higher salary or a childcare reimbursement? There may not be any wiggle room, but you might give them ideas about some company-wide benefits in the future.

In the video below, Career Programs and Outreach Manager Jill New spoke with Veteran Program Administrator Jennifer Delatte and Christine Seward, a talent advisor for Cedars-Sinai Healthcare Systems in Los Angeles, California.

The pair from Cedars-Sinai shed some light on the benefits and compensation available to those who work for this large medical organization. Watch and learn more about the benefits, including pet insurance, that Cedars-Sinai offers.