Why You Should Never Consider Accepting Or Offering A Counteroffer

Straight and to the point about how everyone shouldfor your replacement?
handle counteroffers. If you ever have an offer for a- Suppose you receive an extra $10,000/year raise
new job, you go to your manager and tell them thatas a counteroffer. When they find a replacement for
you're quitting because you found a better job, theyou, say within 90 days, the actual cost to them is
sales manager offers you a better deal to stay, andonly $2,500. Companies like to fire not be fired.
you accept it, then you're simply out of your mind!- The company will probably feel as though they
I really don't care about my run on sentence. Makingwere blackmailed into giving you a raise when you
my point was more important.announced your decision to leave. Realize that you
I have been a headhunter - recruiting sales reps,are now a marked man/woman. The possibility of
sales managers, sales vice presidents, etc., for overpromotion is extremely limited for someone who has
13 years now and have always given that samegiven notice. The company is vulnerable, they know
advice to anyone and everyone who asked - andit, and will not risk giving more responsibility to
sometimes they didn't even have to ask me! I evensomeone who was previously committed to leave. If
go as far to tell hiring managers to never give athere is an economic downturn will you be the first
counteroffer to their employees when faced with ato go? Is just more money going to change
resignation.everything in your present job and company?
Surveys still show that eight out of ten employees- Consider the new opportunity you will be giving up
who accept a counteroffer from their employer don'tthat looked so favorable when you accepted it.
even complete the following year with their- You should know that statistics compiled by the
employer. Emotions- mainly a fear of the unknown -NATIONAL EMPLOYMENT ASSOCIATION confirm
run high when a resignation is received and promisesthe fact that over 88% of those people who elect
tend to me made that are unrealistic. You are certainto accept a counter offer are let go within six
to hear very old and well-rehearsed managementmonths or leave on their own within one year.
comebacks. Don't be flattered into thinking that youRemember that you will no longer be part of the
have a special relationship with your manager.inner-circle. Trust and respect is immediately eroded.
Counteroffers can take many different shapes suchAccepting a counteroffer simply puts off your
as more money, greater responsibilities, and/or aeventual departure. But what if it's in your employer's
promotion. When considering a counter offer, don't!timeframe and not yours?
Instead consider the following:Hiring managers: do you really want to try and retain
- A counteroffer is a day late and a dollar short. Ifan uncommitted employee who is unhappy with you
you are worth so much today, why weren't youand/or your company? For both of you it's your
worth it yesterday before you had an offer fromcareer, your livelihood that is on the line. One simple
another employer? Is this just your annual raisemistake made with high emotion could be very
coming early? Are they buying time while they searchcostly.