A number of years ago, I created a post about accepting counter offers that I vehemently disagreed with. The author of the article stated reasons why you should always accept a counter offer – clearly he’s never worked in recruiting or HR!
Since it’s been many years since I’ve shared my insights on this matter and I’m still hearing about people accepting counteroffers, I thought I’d blow the dust off and re-share my thoughts. Here goes.
As a former recruiting leader who have worked in directly or dabbled in recruiting for over 30 years, I have encountered numerous times when one of my recruiting staff members or I would extend a job offer to a candidate only to have their current employer counter it with an offer of their own. Some candidates accepted the counter offer while others said, “Thanks, but no thanks.”
I was always surprised (and disappointed) by those who accepted the counter offer for the same reasons I share with you that you should not accept them:
- Typically, by the time you’ve engaged in a job search to the point of receiving an offer, you’ve already weighed the pros and cons of remaining with your current employer, and decided the leap was worth more. When this is the case, why look back?
- The reason you’re leaving is because there’s something you want out of your job or career that you aren’t receiving with your employer; often more money or a promotion. If you stay, there’s a good chance your employer will put a bandage on your frustration to pacify you, but the root of your desire to leave rarely goes away
- If you’ve been trying to gain the recognition you want and not receiving it, and suddenly it comes when you announce you’re leaving, I hate to tell you this but you are not getting this recognition because your employer believes you deserve it. You’re getting it because your absence is going to create a hardship for your boss and the people left behind, and they don’t want that. Is this really a good reason to stay?
- In the game of poker, you just lost! Why? All employer know employees are capable of leaving them, but they also like to think most aren’t willing. Once you let them know you’re accepting another offer, even if they counter and you accept it, in the back of their minds, you’re always susceptible to leaving. When this is the case, why would they invest major time, effort, and money into you so you can turn around and leave? Of course, leaving may now not be your intention, but that’s not what they’re thinking!
Of course, there’s always a chance your decision to stay could work out, but I’m not convinced that the odds are in your favor. If the future opportunity really looks promising, why not take a chance and try it? If it doesn’t work out and you were a good employee/leader, your former employer just might take you back.
Until next time….