Career Advice >> Browse Articles >> Benefits

Employee Benefits 101

Would you ever want to give up a healthy chunk of your salary? In effect, that’s what you’ll be doing if you disregard the various employee benefits you’ll have access to in your first job.

Many new college graduates simply don’t understand their employers’ benefits programs or their significance in real-dollar terms. “They underestimate the value of their benefits and don’t take advantage of benefits that defer compensation until later,” says Terese Corey Blanck, principal of College to Career, a career consulting firm in suburban Minneapolis.

Your total benefits package could potentially add 30 percent to your overall compensation. So it’s foolish to remain in the dark. Here’s a quick rundown of the benefits you’ll most likely be offered and what they can do for you.

Health Insurance
Retirement Plan
Paid Time Off
Flexible Spending Account
Tuition Assistance/Reimbursement
More Career Resources