You’ve managed to hold on to your job through the “Great Recession”. You feel fortunate to be employed and indeed you are. But recently you started exploring the job market, just to see what’s out there. Then, lo and behold, you run across a position with a company that is everything you’ve ever wanted…more pay, good management, exciting products, tons of upside potential. After a lot of careful consideration, you decided to accept the job offer.
You build up your courage, and on Friday afternoon you walk into your boss’ office to hand in your resignation. You explain the opportunity is too good to pass up, and announce your departure date.
You are totally unprepared for what happens next. Your boss gives you a counter offer. They want to keep you. They had no idea you were looking (Really? Hadn’t they noticed that your wardrobe had suddenly improved and you were taking longer lunches fairly frequently)? They will offer you more money, a newer computer, an extra week of vacation… if you’ll just reconsider.
Now you’re confused. You start to mull it over… Maybe your current work situation isn’t so bad. You wouldn’t have to prove yourself at the new company or have to learn how to navigate around their corporate culture. Plus, you’d earn more money for doing exactly what you’ve been doing all along.
But… STOP! 7 Reasons to Just Say “NO”!
This kind of emotional thinking could be very dangerous to your career.
Consider what’s really driving your employer’s response…
1.) Your decision was made long ago, when you first decided to look for a new job. Something motivated you to look. What was it? Whatever the reason was, that reason still exists. Staying with your current position will only prolong the inevitable.
2.) If your employer was sincere about retaining you, he would have taken steps to keep you long before you handed in your resignation. Likely you’ve been unhappy for quite some time. Why did you have to threaten to resign before someone noticed?
3.) Fear is the number one reason an employer makes a counter offer, the fear of having to re-hire and re-train your replacement. It will take effort and a minimum of six to eight weeks to find your replacement, and there are no guarantees that your replacement will work out. You’re a proven commodity, your replacement is not.
4.) Replacing you is risky business. Your boss will do or say what ever it takes to minimize the risk, until it suits them to do otherwise
Consider what’s in your best interest…
5.) Accepting a counter offer can be hazardous to your career and your character. Although, it might seem unfair, some might believe you can be bought, you are indecisive and could walk out at the most inopportune times.
6.) Accepting a counter offer while reasonable enough to you can send a ripple through our old team. The relationships that you now enjoy with your co-workers may never be the same. The news of your interviews and decision to stay will eventually leak out. Peers will wonder if they can count on you and may resent that you have one more week of paid vacation, or a new computer or possibly got the part of the budget that was supposed to be their raise.
7.) According to the Wall Street Journal, in more than 90 percent of the cases where people accept counter offers, they end up fired, laid-off or at least looking for a new job within six to twelve months.
Making a clean professional exit
The best way to avoid a counter offer is to state that after much deliberation, your decision is final. That’s it. Incorporate your decision into your letter of resignation as well as verbalizing it to your manager. No need to be unpleasant. Deliver the news and reiterate that you will do what ever it takes to make the transition easy for them. Putting the focus on them and away from you will allow them to process your resignation and move forward more easily.
Congratulations for making the effort and taking the risk to grow, personally and professionally.
Counter Offers: 7 Reasons to Just Say, “NO!”
Connie Dorigan, Founder and Director of Recruiting, sees the food processing industry as the link between good living and good people. She’s the west coast’s most experienced and trusted food processing recruiter. She also provides Executive and Career Coaching and lots of free job search tools. Once you’ve connected with Connie, you’ll always be connected.
© 2018 Connie Dorigan. All rights reserved.
This is a general interest article and does not constitute specific or legal advice.
