So you’ve landed the new role you were after and summoned the courage to hand in your notice. Now all you have to do is work out that last month and look forward to a fresh start, right?
In a perfect world, it really would be as simple and straightforward as that. However, the reality is that you may encounter a potentially tricky obstacle before that final month is through – the counter offer.
At first, it might seem to be a no-brainer. You went for that new role with enthusiasm and you got it fair and square so why wouldn’t you leave your boring old job? You wanted that new role for a reason, possibly many reasons, so what could possibly stand in your way?
Why do some counter offers work?
Resigning can be an intimidating task. It’s a decision that is your own. It doesn’t need to be discussed, signed off, accepted or rejected. Once you hand in your notice – that’s it. It’s also a time when a lot of doubt can start creeping in. What if I’m making a huge mistake? What if the new job doesn’t work out? Have I been hasty? It’s doubts like these that make or break the success of a counter offer.
What makes a counter offer successful?
Flattery. It can be hard to walk away when you’re being told how valuable you are, how unique your skill set is, how liked you are and how important a part of the company you are.
Money. It can be very expensive to replace staff so it’s much more worth your manager’s while to try to tempt you to stay with some extra financial incentives.
Promises. They may offer you everything you’ve been asking for since you started there – development, more money, bigger bonuses, promotions, a bigger team and a better job title.
Guilt. Your manager might even try to make you feel bad for even thinking of leaving the company. You may be reminded of the pressure the company is under, or asked what they’ve done to make you want to leave.
Reasons such as the above can make it easy to succumb to doubt and can play a significant part in your decision to accept or reject a counter offer.
What to keep in mind about counter offers
Think ahead
If you stayed, how much of what your manager is saying will actually happen? The chances are you know this company well enough to know what is likely to happen and what is pure ‘talk’. If those things did happen, would it be enough to make you happy? If you did stay, would you be able to shake that ‘what if’ feeling about the role you could have had? Would you find yourself back in the same situation a year or two down the line?
Expect fear of change
With change always comes some degree of fear and apprehension but it’s important to remember that it is perfectly normal and shouldn’t influence your decision to move on. Don’t forget the reasons you decided to find a new job in the first place. It is said that almost 80% of people who accept a counter offer, are unhappy in their role within a year.
Remember your manager’s agenda
Knowing that replacing you will cost time and money, it is important to keep in mind that your manager will likely have been equipped with a variety of ammunition to try to get you to stay.
Remember why you wanted to leave in the first place
In the post-notice/counter offer period, it can be very easy to forget or play down the reasons you wanted to leave your current company. It’s important not to let doubt and fear creep in but it’s equally important not to see your soon-to-be ex-employer through rose-tinted glasses.
So be prepared for that imminent counter offer when you hand in your notice. Keep the reasons for your departure in the front of your thoughts and look forward to the exciting new role you have waiting for you!
We hope you find this post useful and if you want to see more like this, or posts on any area of job-search, get in touch!
email : info@dolmenrecruitment.ie