Counteroffers
In today's market where human capital is extremely tight, counteroffers
are a challenge for everyone involved in the hiring process. Highly qualified
candidates can expect to receive multiple offers at a time. The counteroffer
process can have long term ramifications for all involved.
Candidates who make a decision to leave a company typically do so for reasons over and above money. They are often motivated by lack of growth opportunity, displeasure with the current change in company culture and management. There are many more reasons but the fact of the matter is they don't all revolve around money. Many publications on this subject offer the same conclusions:
- Don't ever accept a counteroffer.
- Ask yourself these questions: Will I still be happy here if I receive
more money? What has really changed? Will I still have the same boss
and the same level of responsibilities? Will my promotional opportunities
increase? Have I added any value to my marketability should I decided
to leave again?
- You should also ask yourself how you would be perceived after you've
given your notice or intent to leave and then accept a counteroffer.
Will you still be looked on as a team player? Will other promotional
opportunities come to you if you've already threatened to leave? Why
should your boss or customers believe you?
- Some statements used by hiring managers after they are given notice by an employee include; "we were just going to talk to you about something we had in mind for you", or "this couldn't have come at a worse time can't you wait" or "wow, I'm really surprised, I thought you were happy here". There are others you've heard but they all mean the same thing. The people involved didn't really care about you or your career until you decided to take matters into your own hands.
The "bottom-line" is, more often than not, acceptance of a counteroffer is a delay in what was your original decision. Once you decide again to leave your company, the market may have changed, limiting your options for growth. Be careful about counteroffers and don't accept them.