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Thoughts on Job Counteroffers?

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torpid

Lifer
Sep 14, 2003
11,631
11
76
Originally posted by: jbourne77
Both jobs offer great career building and advancement, though I'm all but certain that the new one will offer a lot more satisfaction. Honestly, I know deep down that I shouldn't take the counter, and deep down, I know I won't take it.

I guess the real question at this point is how to I most gracefully decline the counter without destroying relationships.

Should be pretty easy. I would say something to the effect of wanting to experience new perspectives, and not wanting to feel like you were cheating other employees at the current company who are more deserving of raises. Note you don't have to actually believe that.
 

Stuxnet

Diamond Member
Jun 16, 2005
8,392
1
0
Well, the position that I'm going to is at a very, very large bank. I suppose I could play the stability card.
 

her209

No Lifer
Oct 11, 2000
56,336
11
0
Originally posted by: jbourne77
I guess the real question at this point is how to I most gracefully decline the counter without destroying relationships.
Avoid disrespect but make sure they know exactly why you are leaving also.
 

Glavinsolo

Platinum Member
Sep 2, 2004
2,946
0
0
Originally posted by: torpid
Originally posted by: JS80
1) Less of a hassle to stay at current job
2) More money

1+2=no brainer?

Too bad those two factors are greatly outweighed by all the negatives of staying. Such as the fact that the employer will question your loyalty, single you out when layoffs happen due to your increased salary, etc. Other employees will resent you for weaseling more money when they don't make as much to do the same thing. Plus you will always feel like the employer never valued you enough in the first place, and only when you more or less threatened to leave did they show any appreciation.

I can't think of any reason to stay if the counter offer is only a "little" more pay. Less hassle... that affects you for a week at most.

Money is only one variable. I agree with Torpid in that you got yourself into a mess, these never end well. What if you don't like the employees at the new place, further drive, less freedoms, etc.

I would inform both parties that you will make your decision after some thought. It may be wise to tell your current employer that you understand that doing this questions your loyalty. You need to discuss the unmentionables that Torpid has brought up so both you and your employer don't think about it.
 

MrChad

Lifer
Aug 22, 2001
13,507
3
81
Originally posted by: jbourne77
I guess the real question at this point is how to I most gracefully decline the counter without destroying relationships.

:laugh:

You worked at a place for 8 months, demanded a promotion and was denied, then went and found a better job elsewhere and you're worried about burning bridges?

Do not take the counter-offer. Your reputation at your current job seems almost irreparable at this point.
 

ManSnake

Diamond Member
Oct 26, 2000
4,749
1
0
Never take the counter offer. You are looking for a job because you were unsatisified with your current job. If you don't like your current job, why stay?
 

Armitage

Banned
Feb 23, 2001
8,086
0
0
Whether bridges are burnt probably alot depends on the industry. As an engineer in defense work, people move around alot, even back to the same company on occasion. It's just the corporate culture - on one hand the company won't hesitate to lay you off when the contract ends, on the other employees will take the best offer on the table. Not that people are entirely happy with the situation, but nobody gets to upset about it.

I'm on good terms with my previous employer and wouldn't hesitate to look there if I started job hunting again.
 

dguy6789

Diamond Member
Dec 9, 2002
8,558
3
76
Originally posted by: MrChad
Originally posted by: jbourne77
I guess the real question at this point is how to I most gracefully decline the counter without destroying relationships.

:laugh:

You worked at a place for 8 months, demanded a promotion and was denied, then went and found a better job elsewhere and you're worried about burning bridges?

Do not take the counter-offer. Your reputation at your current job seems almost irreparable at this point.

Time is only one factor of the equation of promotions. The quality of work you do is as important, if not more so than the amount of time you spent working there. I wouldn't give a raise to someone who worked at my business for twenty years, if they did nothing to show that they deserve more money than their coworkers. Likewise, I would give a raise to someone who worked there for only two weeks if they really set themselves apart from everyone else in terms of quality of the work. Understand this; average employees are expendable and are simply pawns to a large corporation. Great employees are worth keeping.

Of course the OP may not have been a great employee, I do not know. But there is no reason to laugh at someone because they expected a promotion after working for eight months.

I also suggest that he avoids taking the counter offer.
 

WildHorse

Diamond Member
Jun 29, 2003
5,006
0
0
Unless you're an older person later along in your career path, don't focus so much on just the money.

The opportunity for career development is the main objective. To me, the inherent risk with a job change is attractive, because I know I'll rise to the challenge and grow in the process.

When I read your statement, ?I'm all but certain that the new one will offer a lot more satisfaction? I found that conclusive. Go to the new job.

I'm understanding the counteroffer to just mean they'd redline your pay scale to the max at your current job category. If the counteroffer had been for a good promotion, which would effectively be a ?new job,? it'd be worth rethinking.

To decline the counteroffer, I'd just write a very simple, polite memo thanking the current employer for their expression of interest in you, decline, and wish them well.
 

Kadarin

Lifer
Nov 23, 2001
44,296
16
81
The problem I have with current employer counteroffers is that they're a good indication that the current employer knows they are not paying you what you're worth. Why would you want to continue to work for an employer that does not respect you and your skills/ability?
 

Stuxnet

Diamond Member
Jun 16, 2005
8,392
1
0
Originally posted by: Astaroth33
The problem I have with current employer counteroffers is that they're a good indication that the current employer knows they are not paying you what you're worth. Why would you want to continue to work for an employer that does not respect you and your skills/ability?

And herein lies the biggest issue, in my opinion. The scope of my responsibilities, from day one, shot into the stratosphere and went far beyond what I was hired to do. In most normal circumstances, someone with an 8 month tenure would not bring up the possibility of advancement.

However, because of the number of hours I routinely put in, the results of my work, and most importantly, the sharp increase in the scope of my job, I felt that it was justified. For the proper compensation and recognition, I'm happy to do the job. Now, keep in mind that I did not flat-out ask for a promotion or a raise (at least not immediately). I asked for an indication of what the company's plans were for me over the course of the next 12 - 24 months. It was a very respectful request that I made, and I was absolutely, unequivocally, blown off. To be blunt, I don't think I've ever been so insulted in my professional career. All I was looking for was something along the lines of "the next step is such-and-such, and it's something that I see possible in the next 12 - 24 months". That would have sufficed and would have been reasonable... at least in my opinion.
 

Glavinsolo

Platinum Member
Sep 2, 2004
2,946
0
0
Originally posted by: greys2k
n3v3r @cc3pt @ c0unt3r u t@rd
th3y will w0rk u t0 d@ b0n3!!!

Never accept a counter you tard
they will work you to the bone!!!

Please tell me that you dropped your keyboard and the wiring for [e] [a] [o] was severly damaged.
 

JS80

Lifer
Oct 24, 2005
26,271
7
81
Originally posted by: sygyzy
Originally posted by: mugs
Originally posted by: JS80
1) Less of a hassle to stay at current job
2) More money

1+2=no brainer?

- company finds a replacement then gets rid of the OP due to disloyalty
= REAL no brainer

It's pretty clear by his post that JS80 either is very young and/or has not entered the workforce yet.

Or he's in an industry where human capital is scarce and loyalty doesn't mean jack shvt?
 

Accipiter22

Banned
Feb 11, 2005
7,942
2
0
Originally posted by: jbourne77
The counter is a lucrative one, a little more lucrative than the new job. I'm not a job-hopper nor did I seek out a job for the purpose of generating leverage with my current employer.

I don't want to get into too many details (sorry), but what are everyone's thoughts on counteroffers in general?



NEVER ever ever ever take a counter-offer. I've heard this from professionals frequently. for a few reasons: 1. Others will be pissed that you got a raise by leveraging yourself. 2. bigger reason: As soon as you accept it, your current employer will start looking for your cheaper replacement. 3. They're just covering their rears so they don't get left high & dry 4. Your next raise will not come, or will be very very small. The counteroffer is just an advanced raise
 

JS80

Lifer
Oct 24, 2005
26,271
7
81
If you decide to go with the new place, you may be able to squeeze a few K more (if they're a large bank, then it's HR that's handling you so your "character" won't really come into play) by saying your current employer countered. If you didn't use a headhunter you can ask for a signing bonus too.
 

JS80

Lifer
Oct 24, 2005
26,271
7
81
Originally posted by: Accipiter22
Originally posted by: jbourne77
The counter is a lucrative one, a little more lucrative than the new job. I'm not a job-hopper nor did I seek out a job for the purpose of generating leverage with my current employer.

I don't want to get into too many details (sorry), but what are everyone's thoughts on counteroffers in general?



NEVER ever ever ever take a counter-offer. I've heard this from professionals frequently. for a few reasons: 1. Others will be pissed that you got a raise by leveraging yourself. 2. bigger reason: As soon as you accept it, your current employer will start looking for your cheaper replacement. 3. They're just covering their rears so they don't get left high & dry 4. Your next raise will not come, or will be very very small. The counteroffer is just an advanced raise

It all depends on your industry. What is your title?
1. Others should not know the details
2. if your current employer does this you shouldn't be working there to begin with
3. if they're a legit company they should have a plan in place for easy transition
4. they do this and your ass will leave anyways

an employer takes into account how much it will cost if you were to leave and that is how the counter is made. at my last job this chick went back and forth 3 or 4 times and got $15k above her original new job offer amount. plus she had a great reputation and it would not have hurt her if she had decided to stay.
 

PingSpike

Lifer
Feb 25, 2004
21,758
603
126
Originally posted by: jbourne77
Originally posted by: MattCo
Arent you a little unhappy in your current situation anyway?

-MC

Funny that you bring that up ;) .

The promotion that I asked for (and was denied) is now the counter ;) . One of the things my employer said to me when I handed in my notice was "I wish you would have told me you were thinking about leaving before it escalated to your resignation". I so bad just wanted to sream "I DID TELL YOU! You blew me off!"

I'd leave. Even if they paid me more. There's lots of good reasons that you brought up and others brought up. I'd be afraid they'd keep me on for 6 months or something until they could find a replacement and then dump my ass. Fvck them.
 

Garet Jax

Diamond Member
Feb 21, 2000
6,369
0
71
Originally posted by: jbourne77
The counter is a lucrative one, a little more lucrative than the new job. I'm not a job-hopper nor did I seek out a job for the purpose of generating leverage with my current employer.

I don't want to get into too many details (sorry), but what are everyone's thoughts on counteroffers in general?

Once you decide to go, you should go.

Regardless of how the counter-offer was initiated, it will not look good to everyone else in the company who was not involved. Besides the theory is that you should never leave only because of money (unrealistic, but reality nonetheless). Staying only because of money will make you look greedy.
 

spidey07

No Lifer
Aug 4, 2000
65,469
5
76
I don't buy that.

I've had numerous friends and co-workers who took the counter offer because the employer valued them and listened to what they wanted from their career and accomodated it.

A lot better than to be somebody that can be walked all over and shat on constantly because employer knows the employee won't do jack about it IMHO.