A job offer should be weighed on its own merits and not leveraged against your current employer for a counter offer. Once you have confidentially made the decision to decline the new offer, only then should you utilize the job offer to negotiate with your current employer. Be advised negotiating for a counter offer can be risky.
When you have an offer from a potential new employer, remaining with the old company in your comfort zone may appear to be the easiest alternative. Fear of the unknown is always a factor.
Quality of life is one of the top reasons why good, loyal employees venture to other opportunities seeking a shorter commute, fewer hours, better pay, and an increase in responsibilities or title. Of course, better compensation and benefits package is always at the top of the list for reasons to make a job change and these are all great, justifiable reasons to consider making a career move.
First, you must remember all the reasons why you are considering a change and what motivated you to put together your resume and share it with a potential new employer.
Carefully weigh your options. Before you can make a good decision you must identify the reasons why you wanted to make a change at the beginning of the process. Often times, money is not the only factor that surfaces when people seek to make a change. You will feel great about accepting a counter offer in the beginning, but often the very reasons you started seeking out new opportunities will resurface after the excitement of the counter offer has worn off.
A few things you might consider before accepting a counter offer:
- Counter offers are band aid solutions to your wounds that will reopen.
- What is your value when a job offer from a potential new employer is required to force the hand of your current employer to make your situation better?
- A counter offer is forced; would recognition of your work, an increase in pay, or promotion have happened had you not forced the issue with a new offer.
- Consider there is nobody else with your skill, and the project deadline is nearing. The company will wine and dine you to remain on board, but you have displayed disloyalty that your current employer will not soon forget.
- Does the reason you wanted to leave still exist?
- Your boss may sincerely want to make your situation better, and may value you as a true asset. Remember, this is one individual who is probably in your same situation and they do not have the power and control to change the whole company, its policies, and procedures.
The best companies will not submit to a “counteroffer” demand, nor will they proactively offer one because they are managed well with fair policies and good working conditions at all times.
While there were many reasons why you wanted to leave your old job, remember those reasons do not disappear with a counteroffer. Be mindful of the many reasons why you wanted the opportunity with your new company too.
When you resign, you must maintain control of the situation. A written resignation is official and keeps you in control.
Comments
Post has no comments.