It is worthwhile, as a job hunter or successful candidate, to be aware of subsequent
counter-offers from a present employer. These can be anything from a simple pay-rise
to a promotion or additional responsibility within the Company - designed, of course,
to convince you to stay.
While this may flatter you or tempt you - especially if you have worked for the
Company for a considerable length of time - and most likely evoke a sense of loyalty
or obligation, it is a good idea to put yourself in the Company’s shoes. It is a
sad truth that they may have ulterior motives in asking you to stay, rather than
simply making you believe you are invaluable.
For example:
- Your superior may be simply watching his or her own back - resignations can sometimes
reflect badly on the Management
- It may be inconvenient for the Company to recruit a replacement at this time
- It may be damaging to existing projects to change staff and it is often time consuming
to train a replacement
- Recruiting can be costly
All of the above suggest that the Company’s asking you to stay is far more beneficial
to them than simply mourning the loss of a favoured member of staff. It is therefore
important to stay objective and not fall prey to flattery.
Bear in mind …
- The reason you decided to leave the Company in the first place, and whether or not
you can seriously see this reason being addressed if you were to stay.
- The impact your initial resignation may have had on your work colleagues, and indeed
your superiors.
- Your loyalty may be hereafter always in question and fellow colleagues may make
life harder for you than necessary.
- It is likely that they will have begun seeking a replacement as soon as they heard
of your resignation.
- It is extremely easy to be persuaded by having guilt trips laid - try and imagine
whether the Company might show the same sort of loyalty to you.
Our advice to you is that counter-offers should rarely be accepted. After all, you
have a new job to look forward to and, ultimately, had a motive to look for that
job. When faced with a difficult decision of this kind, re-assess what is of paramount
importance to you, and your future, and follow that judgement. It’s your career
after all!