|
Beware
the Counter Offer
As a valued employee, your
company is likely to do whatever it takes to retain you when you resign.
This is a compliment, and it will make you feel good about the years of
hard work, commitment, and loyalty to your employer. However, you should
think rationally about this offer and ask yourself some soul-searching
questions.
Not only will accepting a
counter offer hurt your reputation with your would-be employer, your
current employer will also lose trust in your loyalty. If your current
employer were truly interested in your career advancement, you would
have known before deciding to quit.
Before contemplating a
counter offer, consider the following questions:
 |
Ask yourself: If you
were worth 'X' dollars yesterday, why are they suddenly willing to
pay 'X + Y' dollars today when you were not anticipating a raise for
some time. Where is the money coming from? Is it next year's raise?
|
|
Consider the fact that
your present employer could merely be 'buying time' with this raise
until he can locate a replacement. Suppose you were given an annual
raise of $3000.00 as a counter offer. When they find a replacement
for you within 60 days, the actual cost to them is only $500.00.
|
|
Will a raise make me
happy, guarantee my loyalty and improve my morale? Is more money
going to change everything in your present job? Consider the new
opportunity you will be giving up that looked so favorable when you
accepted it.
|
|
The facility will
probably feel that they were forced into giving you a raise which
may cause some resentment.
|
|
Realize that, according
to the National Employment Association, over 80% of those people who
elect to accept a counter offer are no longer with that company in
six months. Why? Promises are not kept. And realistically, what are
your chances for promotion now that you have considered leaving?
|
|
Now that you've made
your employer aware that you are unhappy, your loyalty will always
be questionable. If there are future cutbacks, will you be the first
to go because of concerns about your loyalty?
|
|
Accepting a counter
offer is an insult to your intelligence and a blow to your personal
pride, knowing that you have 'sold out.' |
|
You'll be missing the
opportunity to grow, diversify and start off in a position without
baggage or restrictions. |
More interesting
points
|
Studies show that job
satisfaction is achieved through factors other than compensation
alone.
|
|
The same circumstances
which cause a person to consider a change are likely to be repeated.
|
|
Grandiose promises are
difficult to keep. |
|
It seems unfortunate
that you have to threaten resignation to get a well-deserved raise.
Think about the implications. Talk to a mentor, your Med Team
recruiter and some employees of the new facility to help you make an
informed decision.
|
|
The best way to approach
your search for a new job opportunity is to make a list of all the
reasons you want to leave your present employer. Revisit this list
occasionally during your search. |
If your current
employer were truly interested in your career advancement, you would
have known before deciding to leave for a new opportunity.
|
