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Statistics
compiled by the National Employment Association show that over
80% of individuals who accept a counter-offer from their
current employer are no longer with the company six months later.
A counter offer can be very
flattering, sometimes causing your emotions to obscure your
objective decision to leave your present employer. There is also
the natural feeling of "buyer's remorse" - that vague apprehension
of change that subtly urges you to reconsider your decision. When
confronted with a counter offer, ask yourself these questions:
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I made a decision to leave
because I felt another environment would better fill my career
needs. If I stay, will the situation at my company really improve
just because I said I was quitting?
-
If I decide to stay, will my
loyalty be suspect and affect my chance for advancement in the
future?
-
If my loyalty is in question,
will I be an early layoff when business slows down?
-
They are offering me a raise to
stay. Is it just my annual review coming early?
-
The raise they offered to keep
me is just above their guidelines for my job. Does that mean they
are "buying time" until they can find my replacement within their
regular salary bracket?
-
In the final analysis, I got
this counter offer because I resigned. Will I have to threaten to
quit every time I want to advance with my company in the future?
Do a Google search on
"counter offers." You will find millions of links on the
subject.
Try to find one that recommends accepting a counter
offer.
Still not
convinced?
Check out
these links:
The BEST
Approach: As
a professional, you must make your career decisions objectively,
free of the emotional pressures you are likely to feel later when
being urged to reconsider. While well meaning friends, relatives and
business associates will offer advice, you must depend primarily on
your own judgment. After all, you are the only one who is in the
position to understand all of the implications of a counter offer.
Expect your company to be sorry to see you leave and to make some
attempt to keep you. At best, their response should be considered
flattering, but beset with numerous pitfalls you should not risk.
-
End your relationship with your
employer as professionally as you began it. Your new company will
be anxious to have you start, so you should do it do as soon as
possible. Two weeks notice is usually sufficient.
-
A counter offer is really a
belated affirmation of the contributions you have made to your old
company. Move ahead to your new job with the goal of making
yourself as valuable to your new employer as you were to the old.
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If you have accepted an offer
from a new employer and on giving notice to your present company,
a counter offer is made, here are some points you might choose to
consider:
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If you were worth "X" dollars
yesterday, why is your employer suddenly willing to now pay you
"Y" dollars today? If you were worth "Y", then why did you only
get "Y" once you decided to leave and not previously if that was
your true worth?
-
Consider the possibility that
your present employer could be buying time with this raise until
he can locate a replacement. If you were given an annual raise of
$6,000 (as the counter-offer), it would only cost the company
$1,000 were they able to find a replacement in 60 days.
-
Companies often feel
"blackmailed" because you are a necessary employee that can not
comfortably be lost without immediate replacement. You are now a
marked person. Possibilities regarding promotion or salary
increases will be limited for one who has shown disloyalty. The
company is now vulnerable and will not risk giving more
responsibility to an employee who has once expressed a desire to
leave.
-
Is more money going to change
the aspects of your present position that made you begin your
search? Think about the new opportunity that looked so favorable
when you accepted it and decide if it was just financial or if
there was something more.
-
As an employee that has
expressed some level of dissatisfaction with the current employer,
you may be leaving yourself open to being one of those asked to
leave when economic slow-downs occur. Your stated intention to
leave once before may make you a natural target.
-
Should you decide to accept a
counter offer, be sure to ask your present employer to confirm the
details of the offer in writing.
A signed contract wouldn't be
a bad idea either.
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